Astrud's contributions, along with fellow Brazilian composer Antonio Jobim , is undeniable in the field of jazz/world music.Her followers, me being one of them, are legion and she still is making her contributions felt today. That being said I have kept a constant vigil for a compilation that I felt encompassed more than just a few highlights from her Verve recordings. Something that showed her many strengths and one that respected the artist as a whole. A quest that has been extremely difficult for me seeing how I was constantly "challenged" by other discs crying out for my attention! Patience, being a virtue, I have at last been rewarded!

"Astrud Gilberto's Finest Hour" simply puts together, what I feel, is the best of what this incredible talent has to offer. Out of a strong selection that features "20" remarkable tunes there will be something here for everyone.My personal hightlights (...and where to begin!?) are "Goodbye Sadness", "The Face I Love", "Photograph", and of course "Corcovado (Quiet Night of Quiet Stars)". There are many more but I'll let you draw your own conclusions. The only true omission being her rendition of "Look To The Rainbow" but, forgiveness also being a virtue, it will simply be over-looked.

Astrud's voice is the one true "instrument" that is the real enjoyment. Crystal clear it carries a certain innocence that I find hard to deny. But don't be fooled for a moment...there's a complexity at work here, not just in her compositional skills but to the emotional depths to which she's able them to perform them. These offerings are, on the surface, simple...yet musically complex as well!

Obviously I'm in awe of A. Gilberto and consider myself to be a fan for life! With that in mind purchasing this particular compilation was simply the best decision I've made recently pertaining to adding to my cd collection. A "labor-of-love" that I take fairly seriously! So, with the release of "Finest Hour" what, pray tell, is your excuse for having your own copy? All virtues aside...ENJOY!!


20 Great songs on 1 CD !   May 18, 2001
 58 out of 58 found this review helpful

How many compilation c.d.'s by Astrud Gilberto did it take before one can say that this is "The finest hour" by the living legend Bossa Nova singer Astrud Gilberto ? She is "The Girl from Ipanema", and when you ever heard her, you'll never forget her crystal clear and relaxing voice ! This compilation is a very good one, because it contains songs from most of her Verve albums, even her latest one together with James last. The very special thing to this c.d. is that they added 3 rare songs. One of them "Who needs forever" from the movie "The Deadly Affair" has been rereleased already on the soundtrack c.d.", but songs like "Wish me a rainbow" and Come softly to me" only appeared so far on 45rpm vinyl singles or e.p.'s. I can highly recommend this c.d. to Astrud Gilberto collectors as well as admirers who want to have at least one of her c.d.'s in their collection, if that is the case than this one should be added to your collection. No doubt about that !


ASTRUD GILBERTO - OUR FINEST HOUR   June 12, 2003
 23 out of 24 found this review helpful

Back in the days of "yore" of the sixties I heard this song "The Girl From Ipanema". It was so different from everything else that was being played on pop radio that you had to take notice. It has become Astrud's identifying theme song. . . she "is" the girl from Ipanema now for all time.
Then I never did "hear" Astrud on the radio again. I found this album and remembered her voice and the "feel" of that first song. I also found a song title on the CD which I had been searching for a long long time: "Wish Me A Rainbow" - this was the musical theme from the Natalie Wood movie, 'This Property Is Condemned"! I had to buy this CD! -- I was not disappointed, in fact I was amazed and enthralled by the song selections and by Astrud's "purrrfect" delivery of each track. She can change from the classic "bossa nova" style she has made her own as on "So Nice" and "Fly Me To The Moon", and "Crickets Sing For Anamaria".
Then she can change to make your eyes tear-up when she sings, "Trains and Boats and Planes" or "I'm Nothing Without You".
She sings a truly marvellous rendition of the Fleetwoods' "Come Softly To Me/Hushabye (she added the Hushabye). Most enjoyable.
Thank you Astrud Gilberto for all the great music you have made and left on recordings for posterity. . . and the music you are still making and recording. This album will be treasured by me and by many for a long long time. Great stuff here!


An amateur production.   October 12, 2005
 16 out of 19 found this review helpful

I cannot complain about Astrud - she does a good job. My complaint is with the Verve people. They have produced a very sloppy compilation. The mix is very poor with one track's volume far exceeding the next. Sound levels are all over the place. That sort of improper mix should not happen with today's technological sophistication. It is sloppy work which displays a lack of concern for producing a proper and decent product.



Astrud, Like It or Not, Has a Place in Bossa History   December 22, 2003
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

First off, let's drop the personal attacks or nationalistic insults. This is Amazon.com, not a flame war chatroom.

Secondly, whether you like it or not, Astrud has a place in the history of bossa nova. Is she the best voice out there? No, I don't think so (I actually prefer the other female Gilberto, Bebel, though I like Astrud's works). Are there other artists that deserve their own Finest Hour releases? Again, yes. But bear in mind that this is supposed to be a release for US audiences of what one record company thinks is the definitive work of one of their artists. This wasn't up for public consumption, there wasn't a poll taken. If you don't like it, don't buy it. But if you don't, you'll be missing (what I think) is a great and wonderful example of Astrud's work.