This version of "The Girl from Ipanema" was created, arranged and performed/recorded by Richard Thomas in August 2011 for my father & Richard's grandfather, Harrison Gholson (aka P​apá aka Umpapá), who was in his last weeks of life battling cancer. Getz/Gilberto was one of P​apá's favorite albums and was prominent in the childhood soundtrack for me and my siblings. My dad traveled the world as a student and naval aviator and had quite a few interesting experiences beyond the ones we were part of as a Navy family. Growing up, we heard about how he'd met THE actual woman who had inspired the song. It wasn't one of his "big adventure" stories but it did add a little something special to the song's appeal. Richard was on break from touring (he's a killer guitar player), and besides helping with care giving, he wanted to give a gift of music to his Umpapá and asked me to sing. You'd think with having heard "The Girl from Ipanema" since childhood, I'd have sung all the lyrics correctly but I got one small part wrong. We're talking only English here - I didn't dare attempt Portuguese! Oh well. I blame fatigue for the mistake. Anyone who has been part of end-of-life & hospice care understands the sleep-deprivation - and I'm sure no one more than my nurse sister at the time. I traveled frequently between home in Woodstock, New York and my parents' house in Pennsylvania...When I sat down at our dining room table to record late one night after returning home (no sound booth for this one), I just happily sang for my dad and didn't check or edit - or even use a proper microphone. P​apá spoke Spanish and French fluently and easily picked up new languages in our world travels. He especially loved Spanish and when major oral cancer surgery took away his Spanish trill, it was extremely upsetting for him. What to do? Learn Portuguese. Even as the cancer stole so much of what he enjoyed, he felt excitement in learning that difficult language. Another reason to record something from Getz/Gilberto, even if I didn't have the time to learn it in Portuguese. Coming up on the 6th anniversary of P​apá/Umpapá's departure, Richard wanted to release the song publicly and asked me to write something. It happens to be one of my husband’s favorite pieces and he said it seemed appropriate to broadcast further than to just our family - the Commander was a world traveler, after all. Collaborating on this song was an uplifting, light interlude in a painful, heavy time. Thanks to Richard for making it happen. And to P​apá: Gracias...Obrigado...❤ -Kirsti Gholson It was a pleasure recording and working with my Aunt Kirsti in helping her to hounor her father and for me to also hounor my grandfather. He was truly an amazing man and an inspiration to me and everyone in our family as well as anyone that knew him. I pray this version of "The Girl From Ipanema" is a blessing to people all over the world and that it brings joy and happiness to all in Jesus Name! All glory to our Father in Heaven in Jesus Name! Amen!!! -Richard Thomas