Caetano Veloso & Gilberto Gil
Dois Amigos, Um Seculo de Musica: Multishow Live
Nonesuch
The great Brazilian singer-songwriters Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil go back a half-century together. Spearheading the Tropicalia movement, which blended traditional and modern pop music, they ran afoul of the country’s authoritarian government in the ’60s, leading to brief imprisonment and then exile, though both eventually came home to continue their brilliant careers. But you don’t have to know ancient history (or Portuguese) to appreciate this wonderful live album, drawn from their joint 2015 tour. Performing together and separately, with just their acoustic guitars for support, Veloso and Gil epitomize playful grace and warm camaraderie on these entrancing, deftly melodic songs. Both have aged well and blend beautifully: Caetano possesses the sweeter, smoother voice, while Gilberto is a deeper, slightly raspier singer. Dois Amigos is a lovely introduction to—or triumphant reminder of—two remarkable artists.
