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The Brazilian-born pop singer Astrud Gilberto got her start purely by accident, filling in for husband Joao by singing a few translated lines on "The Girl From Ipanema" during the original GETZ/GILBERTO sessions. Yet it was Astrud's wistful vocal that made the now-classic bossa nova tune such a hit. Her 1965 solo effort, THE ASTRUD GILBERTO ALBUM, skilfully arranged by Marty Paich, proves that her initial success was no fluke. Unlike other Brazilian singers--most of whom are far greater vocal artists--Astrud Gilberto possessed a gift for singing in English. Hers are just about the only translated performances of the great Jobim tunes ("How Insensitive," "Dindi," "Meditation") that don't seem awkward. Naturally, she could perform just as effectively in Portuguese when called upon, as her great duet with Tom Jobim himself on "Agua De Beber" and the gently soaring versions of "Photograph" and "O Morro (Nao Tem Vez)" attest.
