One of Brazil's most popular singers, Gal Costa (1945-2022) came to prominence in the mid-1960s, alongside the other rebellious "tropicalistas" such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Jorge Ben. For several decades she was a fixture in the superstar strata of Brazilian pop, and is one of Brazil's most renowned song stylists.
This page looks at her "best-of" collections, as well as other media and links to related webpages...
Gal Costa "A Arte De" (Fontana Records, 1975)
A fine two-LP best-of; the classic, standard-issue best-of for her earlier work. This is one of the best retrospectives available, although it is a bit heavy on the cabaret, torch-singing side of Costa, at the expense of her more avant/rock leanings. Later released as a single CD, with about a fourth fewer tracks. Recommended.
Gal Costa "Gal Costa" (1986)
Gal Costa "Personalidade" (Polygram, 1987)
Gal Costa "Meu Nome Gal/My Name Is Gal" (Verve, 1990)
Gal Costa "O Melhor De Gal Costa" (BMG, 1990)
Gal Costa "Personalidade 2" (1992)
Gal Costa "Minha Historia" (Polygram, 1993)
"Serie Grandes Nomes v. 1" (Mercury/Polygram, 1994)
A strong 2-CD compilation, spanning the first six years of her recording career, from 1967 to 1973. Decent sound quality and savvy, satisfying anthological selection.
Gal Costa "Serie Grandes Nomes v. 2" (Mercury/Polygram, 1994)
(2-CD compilation)
Gal Costa "Barato Total" (1998)
(3-CD compilation)
Gal Costa "Millennium" (Polygram, 1999)
Gal Costa "Focus: O Essential De Gal Costa" (BMG, 1999)
Gal Costa "Serie Sem Limite" (Polygram, 2001)
This fine 2-CD compilation has a very healthy dose of Costa's earlier work, of interest to folks who want to check out her tropicalia-era efforts. Recommended.
Gal Costa "Gal Canta Caetano" (BMG, 2004)
A nice collection of various interpretations of Caetano Veloso songs, drawn from many albums over the years.
Gal Costa "Gal Revisitada: De Domingo 1967/A Minha Voz 1982" (Universal/Dubas, 2004)
An updated, fancy-looking best-of that covers her work from 1967-82.
