In the 90’s Brazilian movie soundtracks fell into two categories. There were albums filled with original music like Caetano Veloso’s ‘Tieta Do Agreste’ and ‘The Devil’s Toothpick’, which featured Kenia, Gilberto Gil and others. Then there were those like ‘Next Stop Wonderland’ that were filled with classics and played like Brazilian music primers. This wonderful 15-song disc, from the even more wonderful film, is a combination of both new music and classic Bossa Nova.
‘Bossa Nova” (the movie) is dedicated to Antonio Carlos Jobim and his classics dominate these proceedings. Eumir Deodato wrote the original score. Of course, these are the only two Brazilians ever to have arrangements to top the American pop charts.
Their collective musical genius is so evident through the film, but is just briefly resonated on the album, particularly on the first three tracks. Those tunes are Deodato’s arrangements of Jobim compositions featuring vocalists Barbara Mendes, Carol Rogers and Djavan. The highlight of which is a brilliant compact 69 seconds version of One Note Samba. The Girl From Ipanema, and Jobim himself, are a part of the movie’s story line, however, the original Stan Getz/JoaoGilberto /Jobim classic is not in the film, but is featured on the soundtrack. In fact there are a number of Jobim’s original recordings from Verve Records’ vaults that are contained either on celluloid and/or on the disc. The great duet, Waters of March, with Jobim and Elis Regina is included, as is Jobim’s versions of Wave, Corcovado and No More Blues.
While those session can only enhance any compilation that they appear on, a complaint could be made that so many of Deodato’s original and timely cues from the movie, not to mention an incredible acid jazz version of One Note Samba, should’ve been included on the soundtrack album.
Deodato’s work on the soundtrack begins and ends the album. His jazzy piano playing and dreamy arrangements are superb, and much more subdued than his aggressive jazz/pop hits of the 70’s. You may remember him from his gargantuan 1972 number one hit, Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001). But his beautiful song Suddenly, written with frequent Jobim collaborator, Norman Gimbel, should change that. The very memorable melody is used quite effectively in the movie, and there are three outstanding versions on the album, including one by newcomer Claudia Acuna.
If you haven’t seen the movie that so cleverly mixes English and Portuguese, this soundtrack, rightfully so, comes off as a flawlessly sequenced album that in itself is a vivid colorful and aurally pleasing DVD.
Other Voices:
“ . . . first rate . . . the sort of screwball frolic that Howard Hawks used to make.”
- Variety
A 1930’s screwball comedy played to a sensuous Brazilian beat, ‘Bossa Nova’ is a delightful cinematic collaboration from world-class director Bruno Barreto and his actress/wife, Amy Irving. With a half-dozen interconnected plotlines all involving affairs of the heart, this funny, touching, and clever film strikes the perfect balance of breakneck farce and deep romantic yearning.
As with 1998’s Next Stop Wonderland, the music in ‘Bossa Nova’ is an integral part of the filmmakers sensual vision. The sultry bossa novas of Antonio Carlos Jobim (to whom this film is dedicated) were constantly played by the director during shooting.
“Jobim’s music is the soundtrack to love.” - Bruno Barreto
The beautiful original score is composed, arranged, and conducted by Eumir Deodato, best known for his classic recordings of the1970’s on CTI, including his hit jazz arrangement of the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey. His contributions provide a compliment to the songs of Jobim and perfectly capture the overall mood and feel of the romantic sensation that is, ‘Bossa Nova’!
