Acústico MTV: Gilberto Gil

This session was broadcast on Brazilian MTV in 1994. Gil at that time had been a major star for decades, performing some of these songs since early in his career. Here he rises above a stodgy MTV studio setting to deliver note-perfect performances with a superb backup group. The audio quality is good, though not as good as the audio-only CD of this same session (hearing that CD, without video, you can hardly believe it＇s a live session, the recording and performance are so clean).

The DVD has some fine special features. Buried in the Audio menu is an option for Gil＇s Commentaries which turns on voice-overs of him discussing each song. Subtitles are available for the commentaries, or for the actual song lyrics. The commentaries illuminate the theme of each song and its cultural backdrop. We learn that "Aquele Abraco," for instance, is a joyful stream of sense impressions and TV-slang going through Gil＇s mind as he reenters Rio after two years of prison and exile.

1.A novidade

Gilberto Gil, Hebert Vianna, Bi Ribeiro, João Barone

2.Tenho sede

Anastácia, Dominguinhos

3.Refazenda

Gilberto Gil

4.Drão

Gilberto Gil

5.Beira mar

Gilberto Gil

6.Sampa

Caetano Veloso

7.Parabolicamará

Gilberto Gil

8.A linha e o linho

Gilberto Gil

9.The secret life of plants

Steve Wonder

10.Expresso 2222

Gilberto Gil

11.Aquele abraço

Gilberto Gil

12.Toda menina baiana

Gilberto Gil

13.Se eu quiser falar com Deus

Gilberto Gil

14.Las tres carabelas

A. Algueró Jr., G. Moreau

15.Realce

Gilberto Gil

16.Esotérico

Gilberto Gil

17.Sítio do Pica Pau Amarelo

Gilberto Gil

18.A paz

Gilberto Gil

19.Palco

Gilberto Gil

20.Tempo rei

Gilberto Gil

21.Figura de retórica

Gilberto Gil

22.Domingo no parque

Gilberto Gil