Gal Costa
I think of the subject of today’s post as a quintessentially Brazilian woman: bold, sexy, and bursting with an effortless, natural confidence. This is Gal Costa:
Born as Maria da Graça Costa Penna Burgos but better known as simply Gal Costa. Photo by Antonio Guerreiro
Well, to be more accurate, that was Gal Costa. Gal was born in 1945 in Salvador, Bahia. Apparently when Gal’s mother was pregnant, she spent hours listening to classical music in the hope that it would make her child musical. Seems like it worked!
Her career has been interwoven with other legends of Brazilian music such as Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé and others of the Tropicália scene. Here you can hear her singing Gilberto Gil’s ridiculously catchy track, Barato Total. Catchy isn’t it? Listen to this one and you’ll be singing that chorus all day long!
I should say that I’m no expert on Gal, but if you take even a cursory interest in Brazilian music, you’ll find her name comes up again and again. Her voice is extraordinary – pure, clean and seriously powerful when she lets loose.
As far as I can tell she does not write songs herself, but she is responsible for some of the best loved renditions of the classic compositions. Furthermore, several legendary Brazilian songwriters have written songs specifically for her.
The next track certainly isn’t one to get the party started (I would file it under ‘hauntingly beautiful’), but when you realise that this is being sung live in concert (from live album Fa-Tal – Gal a Todo Vapor), you have to say her voice is exquisite.
OK, I mentioned it already – I couldn’t write a post on Gal Costa without including at least one track where she lets loose with her amazing voice. I normally limit myself to 3 tracks when writing about a musician/band, but this time I’m going to cheat. I’m including this link, Meu Nome É Gal, for the incredible callback and response she does with what looks to be a 14 year old boy playing the electric guitar – I wonder how many other singers out there could do that.
I get the impression that Gal doesn’t spend much time worrying about what other people think. This was the cover shot of her 1973 album, Índia. For some reason the dictatorship didn’t like it and it was censored…
The final track I’ll leave you with is another example of the power and versatility of Gal’s voice. Taken from that same live album, this song has a lovely opening minute where she uses her voice like a musical instrument. And what can I say about the final 45 seconds of this performance? Probably the most useful thing I can say is be ready to turn the volume down to 1. You may also want to hide under a table…
Nice crotch shot. Tom, I didn’t know this was a porn site. Makes sense though, Comer Rio….in Portuguese it’s a little more risqué….hahahaha
Anyway, she’s a great classic Brazilian musician. One of the best, along with my personal favorites Jorge Ben, Chico Buarque, Caetano and Seu Jorge. :)
Nice one Alex – keep using words like “crotch” and “porn” and this site will start going places, (traffic-wise at least!) ;-)
Gal Costa is my favorite female singer. And not because she is brazilian, as I am, but because she is GAL. A voice that cannot be compaired with no other. And a special capacity to arrive in some regions and areas of the music that only the best cant achieve. Créme de la créme, Gal Gosta is unique. (sorry about my bad english, guys!)
Hi Marcelo – great comment and you don’t need to apologise for your English which is totally fine and waaay better than my Portuguese! I think I know what you mean about Gal – she has an almost regal quality doesn’t she? And what a voice! I’m a huge fan :)