Customer Reviews

Roots

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 brūlée 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!

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.

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.

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.

there's not much more than i can add to the previous reviews. this album is what the last two albums have been hinting at, a return to their original acoustic style! This is what their two first albums Allegria and Luna de fuego sounded like, a bunch of guitars, voices, handclaps, and not much else (although they've added a bass guitar now). Although the new album doesn't have the same level of energy that their first ones did, it's still very nice to hear their guitars and handclaps again. If you can find it, there's an import version of this album with a bonus dvd on it with a short documentary of the recording of this album and an interview with the album producer. Although it's not real long, it does provide a glimpse into how this album was made and shows the recording of four tracks from the sessions. Since the dvd is an import, it might not show on you dvd player, although it definitely will play on your computer's dvd-rom.

If you are a fan of the Greatest Hits CD with songs like Bomboleo and Baila Baila you may find this CD a bit more "Dangerous". It has a raw edge and a much more smokey sound than some of the other CD's this group has done. It just depends on your taste. I am a huge fan of this group but I prefer the lively and catchy songes that they are famous for. I also like clean clear ballads like Un amor and Triste Pena. At times I felt the voice was more raw than even I could deal with. I felt more vocal "pushing" and edgeness. Don't get me wrong, this is a brilliant album, but it is not the "crowd pleasing" upbeat type of album we are used to from this band. In all fairness "Petite Noya" has that catchey quality and makes you feel happy, and I love the instrumental pieces. But, I think if you choose to purchase this be prepared for a slightly different sound and you will not be dissapointed. It is worth it!!

This CD will undoubtedly bring running all the barking dogs that cry out "The Gipsy Kings are not Flamenco!" However, the dogs may find themselves sitting quietly and listening, for while this is not the sort of music which will wring cries of "Puro Gitano!" from serious Flamenco fans, it is nonetheless very good music. It is certainly the best music that the Gipsy Kings have produced in a very long time.
I was intrigued by the concept of the music being recorded in a non-studio setting, without all the trappings of pop music which have become increasingly prevalent in the band's CDs. I was both gratified and disappointed by the finished product. The picture on the cover led me to expect a more organic feel to the recording; alas, the appreciative audience who punctuate live Flamenco with vigorous cries of "Ole!" and stamp, clap, and otherwise become a part of the performance were absent.
But the music is undeniably powerful, well recorded and executed with considerable skill. In particular, tracks # 3 "Fandango (Patchai)," #5 Rhythmic," # 9 Fandango (Nicolas)," # 15 "Hermanos," and # 16 "Petit Noya" were oustanding. The two "Fandango" tracks were stripped of enough polish to allow the emotion of the music to emerge, and the Middle-eastern flavored "Rhythmic" is a delight. This is a very fine recording, and I hope that we will hear more like it.

This is their best yet!! I have been a Gipsy Kings fan since I first heard Bamboleo. Their music gets into your soul and makes you feel good. I have recently received their new DVD Gipsy Kings 'Tierra Gitana and Live in Concert' It is really great!!! I had Tierra Gitana on a VHS but it has been played so much that it is hard to see. I write poetry and the Gipsy Kings have inspired me to write more. I hope they keep up the good work. I would love to know where I can send them my poetry they have inspired me to write. Sincerely, Marcia I am an adult 50 yrs. old, not a kid. Couldn't find where to send a regular review.

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!

The Gipsy Kings scored big time with this wonderful CD of gipsy guitar playing and singing that sounds so authentic and natural, even with the presence of basses and other percussion instruments. The group's members are from the French gipsy clans of Manitas de Plata and Jose Reyes, the guitarist and singer who were very popular worldwide many years ago. Echoes of Manitas are present throughout the session but the music here is entirely this group's unique expression and their sense of rhythm and pulsating, driving rhumbas are electric. Though the group's staple is the gipsy rhumba, the players are so good and creative that they can play the same rhythm and give each track it's own special interpretation. This CD is definitely a keeper.