Roots

Gipsy Kings | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 16, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B0001ADATW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,448 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #66 in Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Gypsy
  • #99 in Music > World Music > Latin Music > Flamenco

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roots, Firm & Deep, May 11, 2004

By 

G. McIntyre "gam67" (the USA for now, but the Camargue in my heart...) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Roots (Audio CD)

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!

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Cd from one of my all time favorite Flamenco Band, April 14, 2004

By 

El Brujo "Brujo Hechisero" (Lowell, Ma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roots (Audio CD)

I have always loved the Gipsy Kings, have all their other C.Ds, including the ones that they recorded under the name Los Reyes. My favorite cds honestly have to be their earlier works as, their later cds were becoming a little to "World Pop Music, and it lost much of "El Flamenco." But this cd really picks up where they left off on their earlier works. This has to be the best cd they have recorded in a long time.
This cd has every thing for all styles of Flamenco, some Canto Ondos, Bulerias, and Rumbas.
I have been waiting for a cd like this from these guys for a long time, and yes I am pleased.
The cd starts you of with.
1. Aven Aven, a festive Rumba, beautifully sung buy Nicolas, strong, hand clapping, and very rhythmic.
2. Legends. Very Canto Ondo beautifully memorizing.
3. Fandango. Strong guitar, and solo, a reminder of the Flamenco styles of the early 1920s.
4. Bolerias. Pop Guitar, strong style. Great just awsome.
5. Rythmic. One of my favorite tracks on the cd, the hand clapping, very Gypsi. Everytime I here this track i get goose bumps. One of my all time favorite Gipsy Kings song, buy far.
6. Como Siento Yo. This is one of those romantic songs that the Gipsy Kings are well known for, sure to please those who are romantic at heart.
7. Amigo. Good song, not one of my favorite, but still a good song, none of the songs on these cd, can be concidered bad, they can not go wrong with this cd, although this is not one of my favorite styles, i still like it.
8. Tarantas. I do not know, at least for me and my tastes, I prefer the songs that have words, this is just guitar, soft, very Sevilla mixed with Jazz and pop. This one is okay, although their guitar style is superb.
9. Fandango. Wow, take me to Sevilla please, actually France because this is where they are from. But still, very Sevilla style Flamenco. I love Canto Ondos, and especially the way Nicolas presents them.
10. Boogie. I was a bit worried about this track, because of the title. Do not let the title fool you.
11. Nuages. A little to soft, no singing, soft guitars. Shows the range of style in guitar playing these masters can do. More Pop, flavored than traditional Flamenco but still very good.
12. Como Ayer. They have to add one of their melow pop songs for those fans who like that sort of style. Not one of their strongest tracks, but still good. Very South of the Border style.
13. Soledad. Soft, warm, excellent for just kicking back and relaxing with that special someone.
14. Tampa. Guitar styles, with other interesting instruments. Sure to be a pleaser.
15. Hermanos.
16. Petite Noya. Wow, excellent way to end a really good, although I am not a Samba music fan at all, this is still good.
Although my favorite tracks are in the beggining of the cd, the ones I listen to the most, this is an all around great cd, and if you love the Gipsy Kings, this is a must have. Although I wish they return to their earlier styles, this is as close to it that they have gotten in a long time.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IT WAS ABOUT TIME!!, April 8, 2004

By 

M. C. M. (san jose, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roots (Audio CD)

Finally, music for the soul that's not packed with crowd-pleasing melodies but with much rhythm. I've loved their music for years, but this CD is one of their best ever -if not THE best. The guitars' sounds are incredible!!!, as are Canut's and Nicolas's voices. The song "Legende", for example, consists of only two sentences repeated many times. However, with the way Canut sings it, you can't have enough of it. That goes for "Como siento yo" also, by Nicolas, whose voice I think sounds better the older he gets. The percussion of palmas (hand clapping) and cajon in other songs draws you into the music like a magnet, and the fun "Petite Noya" has such an unusual start and dynamics that you feel you're right there, partying with them. I even liked Patchai's short fandango.
My favorites: "Legende", "Como siento yo", Tonino's outstanding "Bulerias", "Rhythmic", both "Fandangos", "Soledad" (a new version of "Amor Gitano" from the "Compas" CD), and all the pictures inside!
A thourough compilation of pure sounds not to be missed.