[George Lyons]

Tom Jobim. One of the best.

[Jake]

One of the greatest masterpieces of any kind of music, period! Elis Regina was the kind of singer masters like Ella Fitzgerald applauded, and of course there's very little I can add about Tom to what has been written here already. He is my favorite composer of music and song, in effect the Gershwin and Berlin of Brazil. I almost prefer saying that George and Irving are the Toms of the US.

Even if this is a Tom Jobim thread, check out Vinicius de Moraes and the many other masters of Brazilian music. You'll be glad you did.

[Jake]

Listening at the moment to Jobim's "Urubu" album. Excellent work, particularly his symphonic work. Listening to this and his many other works, including his albums with Sinatra... I can't describe it, only to say he is by far my favorite composer.

No wonder I want to go to his home country and have wanted to go for years. In February my wait will, God willing, come to an end. We plan to visit Brazil, and see for ourselves what inspired Jobim.

[Lourdes]

And I know you will like what you'll see.
Ipanema beach, Veloso's bar (where he did the song Girl from Ipanema, now called Garota de Ipanema), Jardim Botânico (one of his favourite's place), Corcovado (Quiet nights...) and so many others.
Hope to see you soon, my friend.
Take care

[Jake]

I need to hear the song of the Sabia!!!!

We're planning the trip now, as we speak!

Actually I'm in Paris doing simulator training for two guys who will become captains, but in between I'm reading up on where to stay and what to do!

I came up with a similar list, Lourdes. Also considering Sugarloaf or Corcovado for sunset! In any case, I'll be in contact with you! And we'll have to plan something which includes all the Carioca Sinatra forum members! I hope to see Paolo too.

[Lourdes]

We, cariocas, will be very happy to see you and Anna, too. And I'm certain Paolo will also.

Jake, do you know a book written by Helena Jobim, Tom's sister, about his entire life? I know there's an edition in Germany. The book is called: Antonio Carlos Jobim, a illuminated man, by Helena Jobim.
It's a great book.

[Jake]

I've heard of it, and I think I saw it on amazon.de, the German amazon website. I haven't gone around to buying or looking at it in any great detail, but considering Helena wrote it it must be good.

How is the shop "Toca de Vinicius" in Ipanema, dedicated to Vinicius but I guess also with plenty of Jobim stuff as well? Many say that a trip to one of the Favela is worth it, would you agree, considering one of Jobim's major compostions is "Favela"? Is the Garota de Ipanema a good bar/restaurant, or is it like Havana's Floridita where the hype of Hemingway is greater than the quality of the place?

[Gerald]

Here is the site of "Toca do Vinicius", my Friend.

http://www.tocadovinicius.com.br

A Huge Hug from Your Friend,

Jerry

[Ed Potts]

I really like this thread! Thanks!

[Lourdes]

Toca do Vinícius is a wonderful place to visit.
I never went to a Favela and I don't think a visit would be appropriate.
I think Tom never went to a Favela.

Garota de Ipanema is a bar, famous because Tom and Vinícius always were drinking there.

[Jake]

"Garota de Ipanema is a bar, famous because Tom and Vinícius always were drinking there."

Yes, we usually use Lonely Planet guide books, but no matter which guide book you use, most say Garota de Ipanema is worth a visit.

However, most guide books say that, for instance and to get back to my previous comparison, the Floridita in Havana is worth a visit because it was one of Hemingways favorite bars in Havana. We found it to be very kitsch, and touristic, and not really all that special anymore because of all the hype. I was thinking Garota de Ipanema may be the same thing: too much touristic hype because of Tom and Vinicius writing the song there.

Glad to hear it retains its identity despite the tourism.

[Lourdes]

I'm sorry because I inform you wrong about Favela. Tom Jobim went to visit some favelas in Rio.
In 1993 he was honoured by Mangueira, a favela in Rio, in Carnival.

[Jake]

I read in some guide books that there are favela tours! I'm a bit disturbed by that; I mean, doing a tour to watch people living in slums?! or do I have the idea of a favela all wrong?

[S V PELUZIO JR]

Yes, Jake. Tourists can visit a 'friendly' favela named Rocinha.
I think that the intention (of the government) is to give an exciting and often illusory of a glamour life in places like that. I´ve never been there, but i think that the only one thing that worth a visit, is the wonderful view of the city from the top of the hill.

[Jake]

This blew me away when I saw it on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYLoxMtnUDE

Two absolute masters singing what is perhaps the definitive version of "The Waters of March"

[George Lyons]

Awesome coupling indeed, Jake!!!

[Gerald]

Beware and think twice before going to a "Favela". It's not like the 1958 movie "Black Orpheus". Rent, or buy, the movie "City Of God" and try to see the recent movie "Elite Squad" before even imagining going up a favela. An advice of a Friend to a Friend : It's Very Dangerous !

A Huge Hug from Your Friend,

Jerry

[Jake]

Don't worry, Jerry!

Sebastiao's post about Rocinha is the one guide books recommend. You go on a bus, get a tour of the place (tourist view, mind you), then you get off, visit a school or a public building or something like that, can buy from kids who sell little things like quasi-souvenirs, and the proceeds of the tour go to building schools and other facilities for the people living in the favela. On no account should one go alone or without an organized tour.

We'll see...

We got the plane tickets already, looking into hotels now.

[Lourdes]

I'm glad that you have the plane tickets.

Hope to see you and Anna soon.

[Lourdes]

Another year without you.
Rest in peace, Tom. We miss you so much.