Gipsy Kings Rule!

I love this album. I wasn't sure if I would like the acoustic style since I am not much into the "unplugged" type of sound but this CD is wonderful. My favorite track is #5. I don't understand a word they sing but this is great music!

Roots, Firm & Deep

The concept of this new recording of the Gipsy Kings has been long-awaited... Yes the acclaim they received in the 80s with Bamboleo, etc, and the heavy synth & drums & bass that go along with that sound has boxed them into a pop-flamenco-gypsy-rumba mode, that they own, mind you, and is appealing no matter what, but gives the uninformed & shortsighted critics fuel to chastise & insult them and their vast heritage of talent. It doesn't end there people! and Roots proves it... This recording attempts to hearken back to the days when all one had was one's guitar, one's brothers &/or cousins [hopefully with their guitars] and PURE rhythm & music! add a little campfire, a few dancers & lots of willing listeners/participants with some thunderous & tight palmas [rhythmic clapping] and you've got a party!

The question is, however, are the Gipsy Kings successful in this recent endeavor? YES YES YES! This time around, instead of rushing off stressed to a studio in Paris like they normally have, they chose a sweet little property, Mas de Gourgoubes, in a town not too far from their own homes. The atmosphere was relaxed & loose~ permitting creativity to flow... Tonino Baliardo's bulerias, called "Bolerias" is crisp & masterful [seriously, what else COULD it be?]... and his cover/tribute to Django, 'Nuages' is cool & flowing just LIKE a cloud... although Nicolas' voice is a little broken due to weathering & let's say, 'a bad habit', it triumphs, and nails every note melodically. Canut as well has some wonderful songs~ that man can convey such passion... Patchai's fandango [the first one] although brief, captures the pain of the 'voice' of the subject well, as does Nicolas' fandango later on. My only mild disappointment was that Andre, the youngest brother [and most musical of all his brothers, in my opinion] with the high voice, didn't have a solo this time, but yes he was a-harmonizin'! He does that well too! My GREATEST and most pleasant surprise was the very last song, with an unfamiliar, untrained, sometimes slightly off-key voice leading out~ 'Petite Noya', belonging to none other than: Diego Baliardo, older brother of Tonino!! In the past he has refrained from touring due to some minor health problems, and he's certainly never had a solo, but it seems they saved the BEST for LAST! and I hope during this summer's tour he joins them to perform it! This amazing jam puts you right in the middle of a juerga in the South of France, probably after some yummy paella & vin rouge~ maybe some nice crème brûlée infused with lavender for dessert... [get the picture?] you're instantly UP & working off those calories! go Diegooo!

Although these gentlemen have refrained from adding the heavy presence of a 'band' per se on this recording, as they refreshingly accomplished on the earlier "Allegria", I miss the charming in-between-song french chatter, evident in the older recording. Even though there is some back-up, the instruments used are pure & raw, and don't sound 'plugged-in'... Also, one has to remember they are not *trying* to repeat "Allegria". This is definitely something NEW, while retaining the OLD~ going BACK to those proud, Gitan Roots. Pray that it never ends, and continues with their sons & nephews, and on, and on... OLE!

GK Roots ---- Newer than you think

Already a GK fan, I read the reviews before I bought this CD because they haven't recorded for a while. Consequely, and in all honesty, their complex and varied nature are what enticed me to buy the CD and decide for myself. Listening to the album now, I see why there were so many sides to the commentary. Its not an album for musak tekies because its more story than independent works. To my thinking, what is new about the CD is its brave & determined exchange of passion for tenderness. You won't get it if you disect this album track for track. you have to stand back abit. This is really evident in the CD's sequence from legende (a surrender to love) on to Amigo (the friendship of love) and then to petite noya (the product of love) told with departures and returns across connecting and ascending rithyms. Truely a story of....exito. If you're a fan, buy it. If you're not, become one.