Caetano Veloso

[Thais]

Caetano Veloso was born in 1942 in Bahia, in the Northeast of the country. He arrived in Rio in the early 60's and together with Gilberto Gil (who is our current Minister of Culture) created a new form of pop music called Tropicalism. At that time, the hit was 'Jovem Guarda', a group of young singers that played American-rock-song-music-style. So Tropicalism was a real revolution at the local music scenario. "Arty and eclectic, tropicalismo retained a bossa nova influence, adding bits and pieces of folk-rock and art-rock to a stew of loud electric guitars, poetic spoken-word sections, and jazz-like dissonance.", writes John Dougan, from All Music Guide.

During the military dicatatorship (yes, for 20 years Brazil was ruled by a military government. People were not allowed to vote or to express opinions againt the government. It was a strong censorship period and many people were sent to prision or have just disappeared. If you are interested in this part of our history you might watch the film Four days in September, by Bruno Barreto), Caetano and Gil were sent to prision and then forced into exile in London (London, London is a very beautiful song he composed in English). It was only in 1972 that Caetano was allowed to return to Brazil.

Last year Caetano has shown his face and music at Almodovar's 'Hable con Ella' and performed Frida's song at the Oscar Night (75th Annual Academy Award).

To learn more about this artist (in English) you can read John Dougan's article at: http://www.artistdirect.com/music/ar...Caetano+Veloso