Gilberto Gil steps down as Brazil culture minister

[Judi Lynn]

Gilberto Gil steps down as Brazil culture minister
By STAN LEHMAN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jul 30, 8:09 PM ET



SAO PAULO, Brazil - Grammy-winning Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil stepped down as culture minister on Wednesday, saying he wanted to dedicate more time to his music and his family.

The artist, who revolutionized Brazilian music in the 1960s as a founder of the Tropicalism movement, had been culture minister since 2003, when President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva started his first term in office.

Gil tried to step down twice before but Silva had persuaded him to stay. This time the president accepted his resignation.

"I am leaving the government to dedicate more time to my artistic endeavors and to my family, which is growing with the addition of a new grandchild," Gil, 66, told a news conference.

He said his one complaint from his time in government is that "the ministry did not get the generous budget it deserved."

Last October, Gil underwent surgery for the removal of two cysts on his vocal cords.

"I trained my voice to sing not to give speeches," he reportedly said at the time.

~snip~
Tropicalism eventually influenced such musicians as David Byrne, Paul Simon and Beck, but the political content of its lyrics offended the nation's 1964-1985 military dictatorship. Both Gil and Veloso were jailed in 1968 and lived in exile in London from 1969 to 1972.

More:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/brazil_gilberto_gil

Another leftist artist also imprisoned by another fascist government, just like the tortured and murdered Chilean Victor Jara, his contemporary.

[dipsydoodle]

1. I thought at least one YouTube link might be appropriate

Buffalo Soldiers : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOdSeu4PRcc&feature=related

[Judi Lynn]

2. I couldn't get there from here (my computer) so I got another site to hear Gil's Buffalo Soldier:

http://www.weshow.com/my/user/bermudel/video/23868/gilberto_gil_buffalo_soldier

Very, very enjoyable!

Thanks, a lot for this. :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Now you've forced some of us to go looking for more from him to hear.

Oh, NO! Unbelievable! I just got "No woman no cry" at another site:
http://vodpod.com/watch/198832-no-woman-no-cry-marley-feat-gilberto-gil-live

I couldn't get it on You Tube, either! I'm having You Tube problems tonight, for some reason. Well, this song is excellent, too.

Now you've really done it, edwardlindy. You've gotten someone hooked on Gil!

[Judi Lynn]

3. Ah, HAH! Now I can see it. I got so wired, I had to go uninstall and reinstall to get You Tube

working right for me.

Thank you, again. He's terrific.