The book Gilberto Gil: All Lyrics, is organized by Carlos Rennó, withtexts by Carlos Antunes and José Miguel Wisnik, published
by theCompanhia das Letras. It offers a deepened vision of the
workmanship ofthis
important Brazilian composer and recently named Minister ofCulture on the President Luís Inácio da Silva´s (Lula´s) Government.The book gives us the possibility to know Gil´s personal andartistic trajectory, his compositions (more than four hundred lyrics)from the first songs to his tropicalista phase, going on the exiletimes and the three years after his return to Brazil, until the currentphase (90´s).Eighty of the lyrics on the book are commented by the composerhimself, giving us the chance to notice his particular approach ondiferent themes and his undeniable creativity to catch the real worldin perfect syntony with the daily life. An example is the lyric SuperMan - the song: (...) Who knows / Superman comes to restitute our glory/ Changing as God the Course of History / Because of the Woman (...).In comparison to the existing books about the great musician andhuman figure, this piece is a pleasant gathering of lyrics and photos,along with his biography and complete discography.Most important, however, are the commentaries that the properauthor does regarding the construction of his lyrics on a perfectlyunderstandable and direct language.The photographic material is very rich and without a doubt, willallow the reader not only to make a musical trip, as well as willinvite him to rethink the reason why Gilberto´s songs are stillfundamental to our present times.Many authors and critics as Augusto de Campos, Celso Favaretto,José Ramos Tinhorão, amongst others have written about Gilberto Gil,studied the tropicalism and focused Brazilian popular music in general.As amazing as it might seem, Gilberto Gil: All Lyrics, can enrich eventhe repertoire of those deep experts of the composer´s workmanship.Special additions are each elucidative commentarie made by CarlosRennó and the stories told by Gil, featuring the creative process ofhis songs.The fact that the publishing company did not annex Cds, mainly toallow the reader´s enjoyment of oldest songs, is the only imperfection.By doing so, even if it became a little more expensive, the works wouldbe much more complete.Gil´s complete work can be acquired in any bookstores of the country. It´s worth it! Be sure of that!