Tom Jobim - Passarim

AllMusic Review by Richard S. Ginell

Passarim is Jobim's major statement of the '80s, emerging during a time when his concerns were turning increasingly toward the Planet Earth. The title song is one of Jobim's most haunting creations, a cry of pain about the the destruction of the Brazilian rain forest that resonates in the memory for hours. Also, by this time, Jobim had resumed touring with a large group containing friends and family, and they carry a great deal of the load here, with lots of airy female backup vocals, two worthy songs by Jobim's multi-talented son Paulo, and another by flutist/singer Danilo Caymmi. Recorded entirely in Rio, the record's overall sound is very different from Jobim's '60s and '70s work: denser, hazier, still grounded in the samba yet rougher in texture (as is Jobim's voice). Though not as immediately winning as the Creed Taylor-produced albums, this music repays repeated listening -- particularly the extended suite from Jobim's score for the film Gabriela -- and there are samples of his wry humor in "Chansong" and the bossa nova reworking of "Fascinatin' Rhythm"

Thirteen songs were recorded for Passarim, including English and Portuguese-language versions of the title track and "Looks Like December/Anos Dourados." The original U.S. CD version contained all 13 tracks, with the two Portuguese versions listed as Bonus Tracks. Most new versions of the album follow this track listing.

All songs written by Antônio Carlos Jobim, except where noted.

Original CD Version (U.S.)

1. "Passarim" - 3:36 (English version)
2. "Bebel" - 3:11
3. "Borzeguim"– 4:23
4. "Looks Like December" (A.C. Jobim, Chico Buarque) - 3:45
5. "Isabella" (Gil Goldstein, Paulo Jobim) – 3:22
6. "Fascinatin' Rhythm" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) - 2:10
7. "Chansong" – 3:18
8. "Samba do Soho" (Ronaldo Bastos, P. Jobim) - 2:59
9. "Luiza" – 2:32
10. "Brazil Nativo" (Paulo César Pinheiro, Danilo Caymmi) – 3:51
11. "Gabriela" – 7:56

Bonus Tracks

12. "Anos Dourados" (A.C. Jobim, Buarque) – 3:46
13. "Passarim" – 3:36 (Portuguese version)

Original Album (English/Portuguese versions) 

The original vinyl album was released in two different versions that contained only 11 tracks. Track order was the same on both versions but included either the English or Portuguese-language renditions of "Passarim" and "Looks Like December/Anos Dourados."

Side A

1. "Passarim" (English or Portuguese version)
2. "Bebel"
3. "Borzeguim"
4. "Looks Like December" or "Anos Dourados"
5. "Isabella"
6. "Fascinatin' Rhythm"

Side B

1. "Chansong"
2. "Samba do Soho"
3. "Luiza"
4. "Brazil Nativo"
5. "Gabriela" 

Musicians

• Antônio Carlos Jobim – piano and vocals, lead vocals (1-4, 6-7, 9, 11, 13), arrangement (6)
• Paulo Jobim – guitar and vocals, lead vocal (5, 8), arrangements (1, 5, 7, 13)
• Danilo Caymmi – flute and vocals, lead vocal (10)
• Jaques Morelenbaum – cello, arrangements (3, 9, 10)
• Sebastião Neto – bass
• Paulo Braga – drums
• Ana Lontra Jobim – vocals
• Elizabeth Jobim – vocals
• Maúcha Adnet – vocals
• Paula Morelenbaum – vocals
• Simone Caymmi – vocals
• Chico Buarque – lead vocal (12)
• Rubens Ohana de Miranda - percussion (2, 8, 10)

Production

• Paulo Jobim – Musical producer
• Jaques Morelenbaum – Musical producer
• Elizabeth Jobim – Cover painting