João Gilberto: Estaté

It's not often that a modern Italian song becomes an international success . . much less a jazz standard. So when the bossa nova founder, João Gilberto, recorded "Estaté" (eh STAH tay) in the fall of 1976, he achieved a rare feat. Although written in 1960 (and not as a bossa), "Estaté" had lived in obscurity until revived by Gilberto. Besides the indisputable beauty of the song's melody and chord changes, its message of love's hope and sorrow must have appealed to João's own sense of saudade Brazilian longing or melancholy. On this recording indeed, throughout Amoroso Gilberto's gentle vocal style, accent, and understated rhythmic guitar are balanced by Claus Ogerman's lush orchestral arrangement, resulting in a moving, memorable listening experience. Bravo João!