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