Gal Costa
Acústico MTV
BMG Brasil

Thirty years have passed since Gal Costa's name appeared in the Brazilian music scene. Being one of the most significant voices in the Tropicália movement, Gal Costa is celebrating her 30th anniversary with Acústico MTV, a live recording done in July 1997 as part of the MTV Brazil acoustic concert series.

Tropicália revolutionized Brazilian music. Rebelling against fixed norms, the movement mixed elements of rock and roll with typically Brazilian musical styles. At the forefront of this movement, the names of Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Gal Costa are always mentioned. Gal, in particular, was instrumental in maintaining the idealism of Tropicália alive when Caetano Veloso was exiled in London. She literally became the voice of the movement by singing Caetano's songs while he was away. One such example can be found in this release: London, London, where Caetano Veloso laments living in that strange land where he knows no one. Days and seasons pass by, and all he does is wander "round and round ... nowhere to go."

Acústico MTV spans Gal Costa's career very thoroughly. What is very different here is the presentation of the material. Backed up by a lush orchestra (the Petrobrás Pró Música Orchestra), some of Gal's old hits have a beautiful new sound. Even some of her early songs, such as Baby and Não Identificado (Unidentified), are more subdued. As a whole, the CD does show a more mature and secure performer. As added bonuses, Gal invites a few guests to sing with her. Having introduced Luiz Melodia to Brazil, Gal brings him back in Pérola Negra (Black Pearl), one great moment in the CD. Continuing her tradition, Gal then introduces a new name: Zeca Baleiro. Their duet in A Flor da Pele (On Edge) is hauntingly beautiful and the most beautiful track in Acústico MTV. Targeting the younger MTV crowd, two names from Brazilian rock lend their voices in two additional duets. First, Herbert Vianna joins Gal in his own Lanterna dos Afogados (Lantern of the Drowned). Then, Frejat joins the diva in Caetano Veloso and Mílton Nascimento's Paula e Bebeto. Though a little awkwardly, the two pull off a good performance. A third of the CD contains compositions by Caetano Veloso, but Gal also included her other hits by Brazilian greats, such as Dorival Caymmi's Só Louco (Only a Crazy Person), Roberto Carlos and Erasmo Carlos's Sua Estupidez (Your Stupidity), Geraldo Pereira's Falsa Baiana (False Bahian Woman), Gilberto Gil's Barato Total (Totally Awesome), and Ary Barroso's Camisa Amarela (Yellow Shirt) and the world-renowned Aquarela do Brasil (Brazil Watercolor, a.k.a. Brazil).

Acústico MTV is a significant release in Gal Costa's career. It should please both Gal's fans and people unfamiliar with her work. She is not breaking any new ground here, but Acústico MTV proves what solid career Gal Costa has maintained throughout these years. She confidently thinks of herself as one of the top two performers in Brazilian music nowadays (the other being, she says, the incomparable Maria Bethânia). If you listen to Acústico MTV, you will simply have to agree with her.

Copyright © 1998 Egídio Leitão