Search - Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Maria Bethânia :: Doces Barbaros

Mature tropicalia at its best. Political and passionate!

01/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Released in the 70's this is the album to listen to and enjoy the cultural, political and artistic atmosphere of Brazil under its dictatorial cloud. Faca amolada! A sharp knife cutting through the heart of the Brazilian People. Poetical, sensual and absolutely honest. The lyrics and rythms will stay in you mind and heart forever. The songs can be also romantic and full of passion only lovers in danger can feel... Have a listen!"

Unpolished gem

05/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Technically flawed with mediocre recording quality, the warmth of this double album, especially the vocal harmonies, make this a priceless set. Mostly obscure songs, the set has a loose and lively groove which culminates in a free-form batucada jam. (And if you like this sort of thing, don't miss the Gilberto Gil/Jorge Ben collaboration from a couple of years later: "Gil & Jorge") Probably won't make new converts to MPB, but unforgettable for any fan of Gal, Gil, Bethania, or Caetano."

Great live album

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 12/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A live reunion of "the group from Bahia" -- Maria Bethania, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso -- the leading lights of the Brazilian tropicalia movement. This is an upbeat, though manic, performance, deeply influenced by contemporary jazz-funk fusion, but with a distinctive Brazilian flavor.. The vocals are charged with enthusiasm and joyfulness, but are still raggedy and at times a bit grating, particularly Costa and Bethania. Not surprisingly, the calmest, most compelling moments are Veloso and Gil's -- but everyone's so edgy you can't help but wonder if all four were on something that night. (Anything's possible, I suppose...) Underneath it, though, is a powerful musical vigor -- the band is tight, the funky arrangements are sharp and inventive, and in many ways this can be seen as the last blast from the peak years of Tropicalia's immense impact on Brazilian culture. Definitely worth checking out. (PS - I don't agree with the other reviewer's assessment that this has bad sound quality; sounds OK to me...)"