Download with Lead    If I had to spend the rest of my life on a deserted island (oh, please) and could only take one style of music with me – it would be Bossa Nova.  And it would be the Bossa compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim.  He was the Brazilian songwriter and singer who was the primary force behind the creation of the Bossa Nova style.  His best known work is “Girl From Ipanema” (one of the most recorded songs of all time), but other gems like “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” and “How Insensitive” are just as gorgeous and oh, so romantic.  If you ever lose that sense of romance in your life, just listen to some Jobim and all will be well again.

“Meditation” is one of his best, I think.  I first heard it long ago by Claudine Longet (wife of Andy Williams).  Her sultry French accent coupled with a seductive bossa rhythm was intoxicating to this author at the tender age of 17.  Never mind that she couldn’t really sing that well – didn’t matter.  I loved this song the moment I heard it and it was a wonderful introduction to Brazilian music.  I think what I love most about Bossa is that the vocals are always just a hair behind the music. I find that incredibly sexy – don’t ask me why.

Karen does an outstanding job on this arrangement – always my favorite part of any set.  It really should have an acoustic guitar somewhere in the mix, but I opted for electric piano instead – so sue me.  Now…. what kind of food would I take to that deserted island?  I’m thinking…. pizza!