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Gilberto Gil Live At Carnegie Hall

13:09 H | Topics: Brazil - Events - Music - New York City

It isn't too often that a member of a political cabinet performs in a NYC concert hall and when that person is Brazil's Minister of Culture and named Gilberto Gil, you go to that NYC concert hall. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the 64 year old founder of the Tropicália genre perform with his guitar to a sold out audience in Carnegie Hall.

Gil, who sang in Portuguese, Spanish, and English captivated the audience in a performance that was interactive, with Gil playing call and response throughout. The show had its humorous moments like when Gilberto Gil poked fun at his own age by singing a cover of the Beatles' When I'm 64. The show also had its political moments, like when Gil shouted out political prisoners during his Portuguese/English rendering of Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry.

Gilberto Gil knows politics not just as Lula da Silva's minister of culture pushing for Creative Commons licensing, but having been a political exile. In 1969 Gil was arrested for alleged subversive activities in Brazil and when he was released went into exile in London.

Last night's rare solo performance in which the seemingly tireless Gil performed for nearly two hours straight (calls for an encore yielded not one but five additional songs) is part of a North American tour touting the re-release of GiL Luminoso.

I must admit that I didn't know much of Gil's music before my partner took me to last night's show and now I can say I'm a fan and am hooked. Need more convincing? Gil's music is so powerful it kept a two month old quiet and content throughout.

For more info on Gilberto Gil including where his tour will take himd next so you can see him live visit his official website.

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