I like bossa nova. Bossa bova makes me feel like there is nothing wrong in the world. It also lends itself very well to down tempo (my favorite kind of tempo) electronic music. Bossa nova is appropriate at any occasion. In fact, bossa nova will make that occasion much, much better. Don't believe me? Try it.
But not all bossa nova is created equal. There is João Gilberto and Stan Getz and then there is everything else. Getz and Gilberto's landmark album Getz/Gilberto pretty much created the movement known as bossa nova and should be in every music lovers' collection.
Recently, a friend of mine took a trip to Taipei. While soaking up the culture, food and people he was able to do a little shopping. One of the CDs he brought back was called Bossa Nova 2005 Dream Pop. There are a few gems on this CD, but unfortunately, the rest of it is shit. Horrible, bastardized bossa nova shit. It is sad, but it helped remind me how great real bossa nova can be.
Not surprisingly, the best tracks off Bossa Nova 2005 Dream Pop come from Bebel Gilberto, daughter of bossa nova legends João and Astrud. Following in a distant second are tracks from Cibel and Zola.
I'm not even sure all of the music that appears on Bossa Nova 2005 Dream Pop is really bossa nova. Take for instance, the track from indie popsters Camera Obscura. Sounds sorta of bossa nova-ish, but not really. I guess there is a reason the other half of the album title is "dream pop."
Stuff to Sample: Bebel Gilberto's "Samba Da Bencao" and Zola's "Atlantico" from Bossa Nova 2005 Dream Pop. Stan Getz and João Gilberto's "Corcovado" and "O Grande Amor" from Getz/Gilberto.
While I agree that Bossa Nova is excellent music, I don't think it makes EVERY occasion better. The majority, without a doubt. But I challenge everyone to think up at least three instances where Bossa Nova would be the proverbial persona (musica) non grata.
Here's mine:
Having your toenails hammered into the floor.
Watching the Browns or Lions (or any other crappy team) get stomped into submission sixteen games in a row.
Sucking moldy shit out of a puddle on the 2nd of January.
Have at it!
[1] Nope, can't do it. I think up a situation, I grimace, I add some bossa nova and I can't help but smile. Yes, sucking moldy shit out of a puddle on the 2nd of January is nasty, but it would be a little bit less nasty if Joao and Stan were there to seranade me while I pressed lips to puddle.
[2] But you see, the bossa nova would only intensify the horror of the situation. Let's revisit the scene in Resevoir Dogs where Michael Madden's character tortures a policeman to the song "Stuck in the Middle" by Stealer's Wheel. The juxtaposition of such horrifying content with such a lighthearted tune magnifies the whole theatrical effect. Now imagine watching someone skin your cat in front of you, and then bathe you in its entrails while any track from Get's and Gilberto's CD is playing. Would you EVER want to listen to Bossa Nova again?
[3] Damn, dude. You're one sick puppy.
Hoho...too funny.