Doces Bárbaros: the crucial point in the trajectory of Caetano Veloso

The Doces Bárbaros project, from 1976, constitutes an important step in the history of Brazilian music and a crucial point in the trajectory of Caetano Veloso. The supergroup, formed by him, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa and Maria Bethânia, was born from a “dream and provocation” of Bethânia herself. The goal was to celebrate 10 successful years of individual careers while putting them aside for a while.

The resulting album was recorded live, during a national tour that began in São Paulo, in June 1976. The decision to record the show live was prompted by Gal and Bethânia’s resistance to the initial idea of a studio recording.

The Doces Bárbaros repertoire was created in just two weeks and brought together a handful of new songs made for the project, many of which remained recorded solely in this work. Songs that would later achieve huge success include “Esotérico” (by Gil) and “Um Índio” (by Caetano).

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In addition to the new songs, the group named after the track “Os Mais Doces Bárbaros” included songs by other composers in chemistry, such as “Fé Cega, Faca Amolada” by Milton Nascimento and Ronaldo Bastos. Other highlights were “Pássaro Proibido” and “São João, Xangô Menino”.

At the time of its release, the work was the target of criticism from other artists, producers and music critics. Despite the low quality of the recording, the album ended up becoming a “masterpiece” and was a success.

The reunion of the four Bahians, who sang together “Nós, Por Example” (Gil’s first composition, which was the name of the four’s first show in 1964), proved that the strength of the family bond and the Bahian ancestry (which Caetano deeply nurtures for his sister) was undeniable.

In homage to this living history, Caetano Veloso takes the stage at the Estilo Brasil Festival, on December 11, at the Ulysses Centro de Convenções.

Buy your ticket

The Estilo Brasil Festival is presented by Banco do Brasil Estilo, sponsored by the federal government and BB Visa Cards, and owned by Metropolisesproduced by Oh! Arts.