Date: 2007-11-14 07:14 Subject: es pasión que atormenta mi corazón Security: Public

When I first dipped my toes into Music Obsession, my guidebook was a pile of useless words compiled by Dave Marsh entitled "The New Book Of Rock Lists". Dave Marsh is from the Rock Journalism School Of Nothing Is As Good As The 60's. Bashing everything related to Prog, everything with a fanbase with its own name (KISS Army, Deadheads) trying desperately to understand Rap, declaring Madonna the greatest artist of the 1980's, etc.

Over the years I had less and less use for the book as I found myself disagreeing with more and more of the man's opinions. I remember one complete 180 particularly well. It was part of a list of "Worst Grammy Awards Mistakes" or something like that. He was furious that the award for Record Of The Year 1965 went to "The Girl From Ipanema" when 1964 was the year the Beatles CHANGED THE UNIVERSE FOREVER ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW.

Actually, I can't shake the notion that the Beatles really only changed the universe of teenagers in the 60's, such as Dave Marsh. "The Girl From Ipanema", however, will outlast us all.

It's sort of an inspiring story. Astrud Gilberto never sang professionally, until her husband Joao talked her into singing 2 songs on his collaboration album with Stan Getz, the almighty Getz/Gilberto. "Girl From Ipanema" and "Corcovado" are my 2 favorite songs on that album (and as a result, 2 of my favorite songs) largely due to her magnetic voice.

No showing off, no melisma (think Whitney Houston's habit of running all over the scales while she holds notes, God I hate that) just some beautiful, understated singing. Instantly puts me in a calm state of mind. If I ever found a girl that sang like Astrud Gilberto I would immediately fall to one knee.*

*this also applies to girls who sing like Erykah Badu, Martina Topley-Bird, Siouxsie Sioux, Macy Gray, and on certain days June Carter.