An intimate evening with Gilberto Gil
Mariana Knabben, Journalist, Brazilian
I am back writing concert reviews. It’s something I really like it. This week I have the pleasure of writing about a Brazilian singer, Gilberto Gil. Having more than 40 years of a successful career, he still can take people’s breath away with his performances. That includes me, someone who wasn’t part of the generation when he began to sing. It happened last Saturday (03/20) at the Royce Hall at UCLA. There I was once again feeling excited to be able to see him. And I did notice how he is perceived by the audience.
To be honest with you, it’s funny how I (and I am sure just not I) give more importance to the music made in my home country when you are abroad. It makes us feel proud of having the music crossing oceans and being well appreciated by foreigners. Just like an Italian guy, who I exchanged a few words while looking for the Royce Hall entrance. He said, “I don’t understand the lyrics at all but I love the melody”. That immediately put a smile on my face, as I replied, “Well, I do since I am Brazilian. Enjoy the concert”. “You too”, he said.
I found my seat in this not-so-big theatre and waited for the concert to begin. Playing with Gil was his son, Bem Gil (guitar), and Jaques Morelenbaum (cello). The evening was called “The String Concert” because of the instruments, including Gil’s guitar as well. Nearly a thousand people were there to watch him very enthusiastically and have their breath taken away…
Gil played for two hours nonstop, singing his best hits from a lifetime career. It was impressive to listen to his vocals and his “simple” way of making music with only three instruments. I was amazed! His performance was very intimate, when he brought the public closer to him. He sings with such an emotion that I had chills from head to toe. Simply incredible, especially because I did understand the meaning of the lyrics.
Gil’s act had plenty of memorable moments. The first two happened when he dedicated the song “Das Duas, Uma” (“Of The Two, One”) to his daughter on her wedding; the other one “Quatro Coisas” (“Four Things”) to his wife, Flora. The best part was still to come. To sing “Não Tenho Medo da Morte” (“I’m Not Afraid of Death”) the other musicians left the stage, letting Gil sing accompanied only by his fingers beating against his guitar, and a single bass string strike. And again it took my breath away. The audience was in ecstasy!
Not long after that, his powerful performance came to an end. I noticed that everybody wanted more because it is the kind of music you can keep listening to for hours. It doesn’t tire or annoy you; it puts you in a great mood! That is what makes Gil so special and let the spectators in delirium.
