Astrud Gilberto: The Shadow of Your Smile 180g LP Vinyl

Why you'll love it

This Verve Acoustic Sounds Series edition is mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Quality Record Pressings and housed in a tip-on gatefold jacket. It's part of the series marking Verve's 70th anniversary.

This edition

Verve Acoustic Sounds Series
180g vinyl
Remastered from the original analog tapes
Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
Tip-on gatefold jacket
Stereo mix

About the album

Astrud Gilberto became famous almost by accident. She'd never sung professionally when she stepped up to the microphone for an English verse of The Girl from Ipanema, and the song went on to win a Grammy and make her the voice of bossa nova around the world. Verve wasted little time, and by 1965 she was on her second album as a leading lady.

The Shadow of Your Smile mixes Brazilian classics with Hollywood and Broadway, all sung in that cool, unhurried voice that made her a star from New York to Tokyo. The title song, the love theme from the film The Sandpiper, opens the record in a soft haze. Luiz Bonfá's "Manha De Carnaval" and "The Gentle Rain" are pure late-afternoon melancholy, "Fly Me to the Moon" gets a breezy samba lilt, "(Take Me To) Aruanda" and "Tristeza" bring a little more bounce, and "Funny World" closes with a wistful wave.

Fans have long called her the Queen of Bossa Nova, and this record makes a strong case for the crown. Put it on with a cold drink on a warm evening and you'll find the balcony you don't have.

Also at Kops: more Astrud Gilberto on vinyl · browse World

Tracklist

Side A
1. Love Theme From "The Sandpiper" (The Shadow Of Your Smile)
2. (Take Me To) Aruanda
3. Manha De Carnaval
4. Fly Me To The Moon
5. The Gentle Rain
6. Non-stop To Brazil

Side B
1. O Ganso
2. Who Can I Turn To
3. Day By Day
4. Tristeza
5. Funny World (Theme From "Malamondo")