Bossa Nova newb

May 28, 2008 1:11 PM

I'm falling in love with Bossa Nova. I want to learn about the genre but honestly have no idea where to start. Help?

I love latin rhythms in general, but I've fallen in love with Bossa Nova completely. For the first time every I'm compelled to learn more about the genre, but I honestly have no idea what I want to learn, let alone where to start finding out about it.

What should I not miss? What other genres should I search for? What do I need need to know about Bossa Nova to stop me being a complete newb?

posted by twine42 to media & arts (10 comments total)

Here's a link to the AllMusic guide's page for Brazil. It lists related genres and Brazilian artists. If you find something you like, do a search on AllMusic and the resulting page should give you similar artists or tangential bands.

As for books, my roommate read " Bossa Nova: The Story of the Brazilian Music That Seduced the World" and said that it was pretty informative.
posted by ISeemToBeAVerb at 1:24 PM on May 28

A good newbie's way to start might be to check out bossa nova star Antonio Carlos Jobim's album he made with Frank Sinatra, mixing pop arrangements with the foundation of Latin American rhythms. As ISeemToBeAVerb mentions, the Allmusic guide is also a good place to start.
posted by TheWaves at 1:49 PM on May 28

Stan Getz + Gilberto (João or Astrud) + Jobim is pure magic.
posted by ldenneau at 2:18 PM on May 28

This book, the English version of which I believe is this is a fantastic chronicle of how Bossa Nova came to be. João Gilberto's voice is fascinating per se, but his story makes it even better. I seriously recommend that book. (Plus, you'll get all the names and info you need from it).
posted by micayetoca at 2:42 PM on May 28

Cannonball Adderley's album titled, funnily enough, Bossa Nova, is brilliant. Definitely worth a look in if you want to get more into the genre.
posted by twirlypen at 3:54 PM on May 28

Type Jobim's name into Pandora or last.fm and keep a pencil and paper nearby for when you hear something you like.
posted by ctmf at 5:24 PM on May 28

Sony put out a CD called This Is Jazz Vol. 29: Bossa Nova that is a really decent inexpensive overview with only a couple of clunkers.

But before doing anything else, follow ldenneau's advice and pick up "Getz/Gilberto" and listen to it until the grooves wear out.
posted by Overzealous at 6:40 PM on May 28

(More blathering) Here is AllMusic's list of top Bossa Nova albums.
posted by Overzealous at 6:45 PM on May 28

Previously.

For other genres, check out MPB (Música Popular Brasiliera), which started in the 60's as a blend of samba, bossa nova and contemporary pop music. The line between MPB and bossa nova is often blurred, as with the wonderful Nara Leão.
posted by hydrophonic at 6:58 PM on May 28

This thread is also, in part, about Brazilian music.
posted by lukemeister at 7:55 AM on May 29