Here is my take on Mr. Gilberto Gil. The great singer of Brazil. He is a great singer. His voice is eternal and he will always have a good voice even as he getting old. He is pretty old. But his energy and his voice remains with him. That is largely a good thing. He has been in the music scene in Brazil and world for a long time. He was born in 1942. He was destined to become a big star. He started to get noticed and got some big songs. He became close to fellow Brazilian musician Caetano Veloso. They met in 1963. So now it is 52 years of friendship. That is forever great relationship compare most friendships. Gilberto Gil became more a community based singer rather really trying to be "the star". He was working with other artists more often. In fact he found his first solo success in 1969 with his song "Aquele Abraco". But he and his friend Veloso would be arrested by Brazilian government and would live in London for 3 years. There probably Gil began to develop more English than he would have known in his native country Brazil. After 1972, Gilbero Gil started to go more international and his music became a combination of Caribbean and Afro-pop music together. This would lead to him find more attention from many people. This would lead an good collaboration with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. They did a cover of Bob Marley's song "No Woman Cry". It was in 1980 which was a year before the death of Bob Marley. This song would get major popularity with many people. During the 1990s and 2000s, Gilberto Gil was just able to reaffirm that he is the official legend and he would become important for then upcoming Brazilian artists. Gilberto Gil also entered more deeply into politics during his music career. During the presidency of Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, he became the minister of culture for 5 years before he left in 2008 to to regain his focus on his music. Here is my opinion of Gilberto Gil. He is someone who clearly has a feel of diversity. Heck he may know some French. In 1988, he actually made a song "Ne touche pas mon pote". Gilberto Gil has well access of English since he lived in England for three years. I am happy that I know his music. He really has concern for all humanity. He has a dynamic voice that I enjoy and his ability to slightly hit high notes hits me because usually we don't expect that too much out of male singers. But he is Gilberto after all. So I can enjoy his music. I wish Brazil government would allow more activities from Gilberto and other Brazilian artists. Finally, I think more Brazilian musicians should take notes from Gilberto Gil and try to emulate what he did. Understand him and his music and try to make his sound into their own.
Wow just as I am discovering Brazilian Music, I found a sup-group that had its moment in Brazilian music in a certain period. I mean more like 1970s. It was a nzingzong group "Doces Barbaros" It consisted of four big stars in Brazil in that time. It was Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethania, Gilbeto Gil and Gal Costa. Look at some pictures
Here is Caetano Veloso
Here is Maria Bethania
Here is Gilberto Gil
Here is Gal Costa
Now this was a group in Brazil that began to get together when these four stars decided that they wanted to do some songs more in unity rather than only "collaboration" as we would call it. As I added, this was around the mid 1970s. In 1976, they released an album called the group itself. This was the only album that they released as a group. However this album turned to be one of the biggest albums in Brazilian music history. In fact Rolling Stones ranked this album the top 100 all time great Brazilian albums. I mean this is something. I have listened to some of their performances together. I love it. I mean that I enjoy it. Because their voices actually melded well together. I mean Gilberto Gil, Caetano Vesto, Maria Bethania and Gal Costa voices manage to find their way into a lovely melody. That way they can able to sing together without being wrong at all. This album helped people see that not all big stars have a big ego where it can not be managed. Actually these four stars did not have a big ego and they could manage it. More importantly, I suppose they were close friends which explains why they enjoyed performing together. So enjoyment that they decided for a reunion in 1994 for some fun with Samba dance. Man people went nuts and they were so happy to see them together again performing. It was a major success. I think they should do another reunion again at some point now. I mean these four stars are alive and well. They are still popular though people like folks like Thiaguinho, Juan Santana, Ana Carolina, Luiza Possi, Claudia Leitte and Ivete Sangalo are more popular. But they still have their base from many people.
This is something that should have been done years ago but this would be a dream scenario that I would have love to see done. I am speaking of three stars of three different genres doing Reggae fun and that would bring the fans to the dance floor. More importantly that they are fans of Bob Marley. I mean almost everyone is obsessed with Bob Marley. I am talking about Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil, Jamaican star Jimmy Cliff and American romantic pianist legend Lionel Richie. Here is the performance of Gilberto Gil and Jimmy Cliff singing Bob Marley's No Woman cry. It was so good.
When I saw this performance, it was so classic. Then I realized a third person in this song would have fit the ultimate great singing trio. The only person who could have been the "relaxer" would have been Lionel Richie. Lionel Richie has shown in the past that he is comfortable doing things that usually don't fit his mojo. Like in 2012, he recently released a album where all his older songs are done in Country music style. Turns out it was a huge help in a continuous curiosity of Lionel Richie.
If these three men make a song together, I can promise you that people would bumping into the song especially the older folks who prefer older music.
Only if it could be the case, I would be happy and I know the songs would be meaningful.
