GIL E MILTON

It should be reasonable to expect that a meeting so meaningful for Brazilian music, as is Gilberto Gil and Milton Nascimento’s meeting, would be celebrated with a monumental production. Luckily, though, the maturity of the two pre-60 year-olds seems to have induced the man from Bahia (Northeast) and the man from Minas (Southeast) to prioritize spontaneity and musical likeness as opposed to pomp. Not surprisingly, the delicate Bom Dia (Gil/Nana Caymmi) was the first track chosen make it to the album. Other subtle moments follow, like the beautiful versions of the samba-tunes Maria and Dora, where the sensitive strings/brass arrangements written by Gil Jardim stand out. Or in new songs like Dinamarca and Trovoada, both composed by the two stars. It doesn’t mean, though, that Milton and Gil walk on melancholic roads during their trip from Minas to Bahia (and/or vice-versa). With energetic versions of Baião da Garoa (Luiz Gonzaga) and Xica da Silva (Jorge Ben), plus the new Sebastian (Gil/Nascimento), Gilberto and Milton present their numbers with intensity and joy. There is even an ironic and humorous rock song, Lar Hospitalar, in which Milton makes a Louis Armstrong impersonation. Most certainly, Sandy & Junior’s guest appearance, on the country Duas Sanfonas (Gil/Nascimento), is bound to provoke awkward reactions, but the song has turned out so delicate, with precious arrangements for the accordion, that it legitimates the teen icons’ participation. Nothing is capable of jeopardizing the dignifying beauty in this much-expected musical meeting.(Carlos Calado)