AMG Review of In Tokyo

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

In Tokyo is a straight parallel import of the Japanese disc of the same title. It is a solo concert recorded in 2003 with the Great One playing solo -- just the man, the voice, and the guitar, running through classics and lesser-known tunes from "Corcovado" and "Ligia" to "Bolhina de Papel" and "Wave." Thankfully, this a songwriter's set as much as it is a singer's, making for a gorgeous if sparse performance. This is as moving and beautiful as anything Gilberto has ever recorded live, and because of its stunningly warm and intimate sound, it's better than most offerings of the ao vivo variety.