Customer Reviews

Gal Costa, Vol. 1

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gal Costa has a very long & varied career.This,one of her very earliest,isnt the best place to start(in my opinion). Yes this one is her most "hard rocking",& ironically (myself being a true metal-head),this is one of my least played Gal albums. Her next self-titled release,followed by "India",are more indicative of her overall style (at least in the late 60's/early 70's). Everything i've heard from her has been good,I just wouldnt start here first if you're after the Bossa-tinged vocal grooves most people associate her with.

Tropicalia at its finest. When Brizil was under dictatorship, musical superheros like Gal Costa did not blink. They made psychadelic music as true outlaws.

This CD contains lots of top grade Brizilian music, but goes way beyond, into psychadelic and the avant gaurd. The synergy never seems forced, and provides a iron strong thread that runs through this amazing album

This is music from the soul, made under fire, and no one, no one, should miss it.

This effort from one of Brazil's greatest singers is hands down an outstanding example of psychedelica viewed from a Brazilian eye. The movement became known as Tropicalia, and the music is excellent. This is a re-release of an album from 1969. There is no comparison between this work and the music of today. And that is a real shame.

Gal Costa "Gal" (1969)

The second solo album by Brazilian superstar Gal Costa, this is one of the purest. loudest expressions of the late-1960s "tropicalia" scene, with clanging electric guitars, and crazed vocals that were unlike much of Costa's later, croonier career. Fabled avant-classical composer-arranger Rogerio Duprat adds his eclectic touch, and Gal gets wild like she seldom did in later years. Anyone wanting to check out how psychedelic music entered into Brazilian rock and pop will definitely want to check this one out. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Brazilian Music Guide)

Tropicália's leaders Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil being sent into exile essentially marked the end of the movement. While those associated would begin experimenting with a more mainstream (though still controversial sound), Gal Costa decides to finish things up with a bang. Diving head first into the avant garde, this album is a complex hard rock masterpiece with a very noticeable bluesy influence on quite a few of the songs. While most people often view Gal as a glitzy pop star due to the string of hit albums she released in the 70's and 80's, it should be noted that it was in fact that very same pop diva who released what is perhaps one of the most "out there" records in the history of Brazilian music. Though not for everyone, anyone interested in Gal's earlier work NEEDS to hear this at least once.

Listen to: "Cinema Olympia", "Meu Nome É Gal", "The Empty Boat", "Pulsars e Quasars"

As previously mentioned by another reviewer, this is not the place to start with the great Gal Costa. Her album Não Identificado would be the place for that. That was the first album by her that I heard and it's immediately beautiful. But after you fall in love with that one, which you will, give this one a try. I bought this album months ago. The first few times I listened I was a bit perplexed. However I persevered due to my love for the artist and MBP and all I can say is WOW! It all starts falling into place eventually, brilliantly. Now I'm convinced it's one of the great rock/psychedelic/blues classics of all time. Some of the production choices can sound a bit dated at times to modern ears, but it still packs a huge wallop. Definitely one of the greatest Gal Costa albums ever, and that's saying something.