This is my first non-classical diva, so I admit that I'm using this term very loosely this week. Check out this seriously awesome clip of Astrud Gilberto singing "The Girl From Ipanema", with Stan Getz. It's from a 1964 movie called "Get Yourself A College Girl", which was inexplicably ignored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences when it came time to present the 1964 Academy Awards. Here are the things I love about this clip:
1. The obvious lip synching to her own recording.
2. The fashions... especially those of the audience of women "of a certain age".
3. The fact that she was reading a menu and immediately broke out into song. Very Rodgers and Hammerstein.
4. The "singer face" that Ms. Gilberto gave throughout the clip. Completely blank, focusing on the music. Very consistent with singers whose careers are primarily recording-focused.
5. The marimba player. Very Buddy Holly. Makes you want to do unspeakable things to him so that you can watch him cry.
This song, by the way, is perfect for those times when you can't get a song out of your head. No matter what the song is, sing "The Girl From Ipanema" and it'll be gone. Try it.
