Stone Flower

Historic release must me in any collection

One of my favorite Jobim CDs, in part because on one track in particular, Airto's immaculate sense of time has the band grooving more intensely than just about any other music I've heard.Avoid buying the version of this CD that's bundled with another. Per liner notes or some other account I read, Jobim recorded both CDs on the same day, and the other CD was an initial, throw-away session to complete a recording contract. But it was apparently pretty good to warm up for the other!

Homeopathic practitioners swear that antidotes diluted to an infinitessimal portion of their original strength are sufficiently strong to be effective. Jobim's minimalist aesthetics require a similar faith to exert their charm. The improvisation is minimal, the tunes are all non-standards (with the exception of "Brazil", the most questionable inclusion on a recording that would otherwise qualify as a tightly-knit suite), some aspects of the otherwise sensitive Deodato orchestrations sound dated, and the bass sound is the typically heavy mix favored by CTI, the original company (the "mood jazz" leader of its time).But this music is so delicate yet complex in hue, so fragile yet meticulously constructed, so unassuming yet individual and personal that its beguiling, healing properties are not to be denied. This was one of only nine albums that Down Beat magazine awarded 5 stars for the year 2002. I'd call it four and a half (it's no "Kind of Blue," an album to which it's been compared, but I can't hold that against it).

Evocative mood-music - if the mood you're after is pleasantly enervated ennui. This is a sort of "is that all there is?", "my best days are behind me", "September Of My Years" taking-stock-of-things album, but without the accompanying nostalgia and self-pity. Instead, there is a fatalistic acceptance that the fragrantly confusing ecstacies of youth are gone forever. That's just the way of things. It would even be stoical if it could only summon up the energy to be so.Outwardly the music is similar to the early Jobim of the "Desafinado" and "Ipanema" days but the distinctive combination of hedonism and melancholy has disappeared. Early Jobim was music of the morning; this is hazy afternoon music with cigars. Melancholy always carries with it the implication that things could be different but on this album it's obvious that this is the way things are going to be from now on and there's no point getting ruffled about it: just enjoy your fading pleasures while you still have them. In fact, what we have here is "Intimations of Immortality" without the consoling reflections. STONE FLOWER may not be unique but I can't think of any other album with its particular sense of atmosphere. If you want to experience this - and I can certainly understand why you wouldn't - then STONE FLOWER may be the only place to find it.

Excellent music of the original classic composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. Stone Flower is a Classic filled with great tunes and instrumental talent.( Brazil ) is my classic favorite because Rio De Janeiro is full of life and reminds me of the Corcovado Mountains. Its a great CD

This is a classic on par with "Wave".It does not need no recommendation; But for those few unfamiliar with Jobim - this is the 'modernist' Bossa Nova - "cool", elegant, in the spirit of "Mad men" TV or 60's PanAm Jetsetters... today it sounds as nostalgic and elegiac as ever. Try to listen and you will know soon enough if this is your cup of tea. Cheers!

this music is heaven with one track from hell. i just play the heavenly stuff stuff and skip the track from hell. this way it's a 5 star gem. this music is smooth and cool and hip and fresh like the wave, the coolest. tide's got some gems too, but i'd put this album right up there second only to the wave. i seem to never tire of this genius' music. if this album only had the swallow track it'd still be worth a purchase. that song has had me in it's grasp since i bought this thing.

Now hosting a Brazilian music radio show, I searched for this album on CD as I've had the LP since the early 70s. I had gone to Brazil to study music and hearing this CD was like visiting with dear, old friends. The haunting melodies, rich harmonies and rhythms, mostly in Bossa Nova & Northeastern styles; all superbly tailored as only Jobim could, tastefully arranged by Eumir Deodato and all executed by top Brazilian and American musicians, reminded me why I was magnetically drawn to the music of that country in the first place.

un disco storico e di svolta per la Musica Brasiliana. Tom Jobim ai vertici con gli arrangiamenti di un giovane Eumir Deodato. Bellissimo

Like countless others I absolutely love the music from Brazil. The huge Portuguese speaking nationmay have a doubtful president to lead them but when it comes to music it is in class of it's own.The bossa nova rhythm from Brazil has surely enriched our lives. The late Jobim who was to my minda very fine pianist composed glorious melodies that stay with you long after the musicians have stopped playing. "Stone Flower" is a lovely and haunting collection .

The CD case arrived cracked in plastic envelope, liner notes not damaged . It was brand new and sealed. CD itself was in perfect shape, and I have lots of spare cases, so no big deal. Should use padded envelope. Arrived quickly.

Después de una década de escuchar Bossa Nova bajo los dominios del pop y el jazz, llegamos a 1970 y el Sr. Jobim se desmarca con esta suma expresión de quietud y belleza llevando a la Bossa Nova al culmen del sentimiento musical. Y además con la imprescindible colaboración del fantástico teclista/pianista Eumir Deodato. Imprescindible trabajo. El mejor de Jobim junto con el memorable Wave

こういう音楽と言うのは、現代においては基本的に無視される為に作られるような感じがする。例えば、お店のBGMとか、エレベーターの中のような。なぜそのような場所にこういった音楽が配置されるようになったのかは、このアルバムを聴けば明らかだと思う。穏やかな音の中には、ワクワクとトキメキがあり、何も阻害せずに気持ちだけが僅かに高揚していく。そんな美しさがこの音楽にはあると思った。