Documents from Gilberto Gil's Private Archive

POSTED ON 15/03/07 A politician stands by his records With more than 30 albums, Brazil's Minister of Culture Gilberto Gil is more than the musical statesman novelty of Bill Clinton. He is one of his country's most revered performers LI ROBBINS SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL The greying, dreadlocked "minister of cool," as he has been nicknamed, is regularly seen striding through international airports on government business, guitar strapped across his back. For Gilberto Gil, Brazilian Minister of Culture since 2003, music is essential, or as he puts it, "part of my body, part of my soul." Both body and soul told him he couldn't take on the government gig without making sure he'd have some time off work to play. "When I accepted the position as minister I negotiated with the president about the possibility of keeping some of my musical activity, but to a residual level," says Gil, speaking from his home in Salvador. "I haven't been able to fully dedicate myself to music, but I keep some performing." Politician-musicians are usually novelty turns, trotted out on select occasions: Bill Clinton and his sax, Bob Rae and his piano. But in Gil's case, this is hardly youthful-dreams-turned-hobby-turned-PR-windfall. He's one of the most revered musicians in Brazil's richly inventive popular music history. He's also notorious for having been thrown in jail for his perceived stand against military dictatorship. Print Edition - Section Front Globe Review MACK AND MABEL More Arts Stories Enlarge Image • A mogul's moment of whimsy • It's much more profitable to tart up the news a • Spector spectacle: Degrading in every way @ • Tories leave it to private sector • A great organ of a voice • Go to the Arts section Loose allegations were made of subverting the country's youth, fomenting "bad attitudes," accompanied by "noisy music." "They were dictatorial times, exceptional times," says Gil, recalling his imprisonment in December, 1968. "They were military taking over power. They weren't concerned about being law abiding. They just put us in prison for two months, then in home arrest for another four months. Then they said, 'Now you leave the country.'" The "us" was Gil and his musical partner Caetano Veloso, agent provocateurs of Tropicalia, an eruption of cross-pollinating art, fashion, film and theatre. Its soundtrack merged rock and samba, the Beatles and Joao Gilberto, and lyrics that could be interpreted as incendiary. Veloso and Gil were exiled in London for several years, hanging out with the likes of Pink Floyd and Yes. Both men went on to enormously successful solo careers, Gil recording more than 30 albums. He also went on to incorporate his roots into his music, and in the 1970s became a spokesperson for the country's emerging black-