The Composer of Desafinado, Plays
Tom Jobim
1963
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
The Composer of Desafinado, Plays marks Antônio Carlos Jobim's debut in the album universe, consolidating his presence in the American recording market. Released in 1963, the record is a celebration of the most refined bossa nova standards, presenting the compositions that would become Jobim's best-known and most frequently recorded, many of them genre-defining. This seminal work stands out for its intrinsic elegance and for the melodic and harmonic sophistication, striking characteristics of the maestro's work. The album offers an immersion into the gentle cadences and captivating melodies that established Jobim as one of the greatest composers of his generation, a sound experience that continues to charm listeners globally.
If the bossa nova movement had only produced this album, it would already be fully justified.
Antônio do Amaral Rocha · Rolling Stone Brasil
Context
The album's release occurred during a period of effervescence for bossa nova in the United States, where the genre enjoyed great popularity. Global hits like "Desafinado" and "Garota de Ipanema" had already paved the way, creating a favourable environment for the arrival of Jobim's first solo work on the international market, which capitalised on this growing enthusiasm.
Recording
The album's production was helmed by Creed Taylor, while the arrangements and conducting were undertaken by Claus Ogerman, significant figures in the music scene of the era. Antônio Carlos Jobim himself demonstrated his versatility by contributing piano and guitar, with the notable use of overdub for the guitar, a technique that allowed the sound texture of the work to be enriched.
Songs
The album's repertoire is a showcase of bossa nova classics, comprising the songs that even today rank among the most emblematic and recorded of Jobim's work. A notable particularity lies in the second track of the original LP version, which was erroneously identified as "O Morro", a mistake that would be corrected in the remastered CD editions.
"If bossa nova had only produced this album, it would already be more than justified," wrote critic Pete Welding of the American magazine Down Beat, which awarded it five stars.
Tárik de Souza · 300 Discos Importantes
Legacy
The impact of The Composer of Desafinado, Plays was lasting, culminating in its formal recognition years later. Critics of the time, already quite favourable, anticipated the prominent place the album would come to occupy. Its importance was officially sealed in 2001, when the work was honoured with inclusion in the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame, attesting to its enduring value in music history.
Tracks
Credits
Claus Ogerman
Creed Taylor
Leo Wright
Antonio Carlos Jobim
Jimmy Cleveland
Val Valentin
Phil Ramone
Dom Cerulli
Chuck Stewart
Videos
Antonio Carlos Jobim – The Composer Plays Desafinado | Verve Vault AAA Vinyl Review
The Pressing Matters
3000 Best Albums [2865] Antônio Carlos Jobim - The Composer of Desafinado Plays (1963) Dan's Review
Dan's Mini Album Reviews
Books
Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The largest Brazilian music election ever conducted: 162 specialists, spanning journalists, critics, musicians, producers and podcasters, each nominated 50 essential albums, supported by a masterlist of more than 2,000 works. Led by Ricardo Alexandre with tabulation by Sérgio Jomori, it was published in December 2022 as a 200-page hardcover book with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Songbook Tom Jobim - vol. 1
Almir Chediak · 2016
This volume, part of Almir Chediak's acclaimed songbook series, features 40 songs by Tom Jobim, including classics such as 'A felicidade', 'Ana Luiza', 'Brigas nunca mais', 'Caminhos cruzados', 'Demais', 'Eu não existo sem você', 'Lamento no morro', 'Ligia', 'Luiza', and 'O morro não tem vez'. It is an essential compilation for an in-depth study of Jobim's compositions, many of which appear on the instrumental album 'The Composer of Desafinado, Plays'.
300 Discos Importantes da Música Brasileira
Charles Gavin, Tárik de Souza, Carlos Calado, Arthur Dapieve · 2008
Conceived by Titãs drummer and musical researcher Charles Gavin, the 434-page book brings together covers and reviews of albums released between 1929 and 2007. The texts were written by journalists Tárik de Souza, Arthur Dapieve and Carlos Calado.
Analyses
The Composer of Desafinado, Plays – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
#25 - Antônio Carlos Jobim - The Composer of Desafinado, Plays (1963 ...
pressenza.com
The Composer of Desafinado, Plays (1963), by Tom Jobim, features twelve of bossa nova's most relevant and brilliant compositions. Jobim plays piano and guitar, with an economical language – in terms of the number of notes – but perfectly measured for his sublime expression.
The Composer of Desafinado, Plays - Tom Jobim
bedoia.wixsite.com
For lovers of Brazilian music who frequent Semeando Música, today our sound garden blossoms to the sound of a seminal classic: The Composer of Desafinado, Plays, Antônio Carlos Jobim's first instrumental solo album, released in 1963.
#25 - Antônio Carlos Jobim - The Composer of Desafinado, Plays (1963 ...
tudooqueeutenhoadizersobremusica.blogspot.com
The Composer of Desafinado, Plays (1963), by Tom Jobim, features twelve of bossa nova's most relevant and brilliant compositions. Jobim plays piano and guitar, with an economical language – in terms of the number of notes – but perfectly measured for his sublime expression.
