Biography
A composer responsible for numerous MPB successes, Abel Silva earned his Literature degree from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and instructed courses in Brazilian Literature at both PUC and UFRJ throughout the 1970s. During 1972 he served as editor for the weekly Opinião, and two years later he joined Capinam to found the magazine Anima, whose contributors included Glauber Rocha, Ferreira Gullar, and additional voices. It was also in 1974 that he first connected with singer/songwriter Fagner, penning the song “Asa Partida” for him. From that point forward Silva gained recognition chiefly for his work as a lyricist, even after publishing three books of his own. The earliest of his pieces to reach recording was “Jura Secreta,” created with Sueli Costa and introduced by Simone, who later added “Alma” from the same partnership to her repertoire. Barbra Streisand chose to record “Raios de Luz,” written with Cristóvão Bastos, in an English-language version. Additional artists who have performed his material include Gal Costa with “Festa do Interior” (co-written with Moraes Moreira), Elis Regina, Ângela Rô Rô performing “Simples Carinho” (with João Donato), Emílio Santiago, Nana Caymmi singing “Brisa do Mar” (again with João Donato), Zizi Possi, Luiz Gonzaga, João Bosco on “Desenho de Giz” and “Quando o Amor Acontece” (both credited to Bosco/Silva), Nelson Gonçalves, Nara Leão, and Fagner with “Amor Escondido” plus “Sangue e Pudins” (by Fagner/Silva), among still others.
Albums
