Customer Reviews

Volare! - The Very Best Of The Gipsy Kings

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was a relatively early joiner to the Gipsy Kings bangwagon as I "discovered" them in 1991 when I was introduced to them via their "Mosaique" CD, which in my opinion is by far the best non-greatest hits release that this group has put out. Although I speak Spanish, many of the songs don't require knowledge of the language to feel the power, although it's a plus. I get nostalgic everytime that I hear "Caminando Por La Calle" or "Triste Pena" because they are so powerful and remind me of an extended bitter-sweet moment in my life.

This 2 CD set expands on 1995's Best Of (which was a single CD) and as is the case with very few artists, the Gipsy Kings fill every second of both CDs with their joy and emotion. Not a dud in the bunch, which covers the band's nine-album discography with some bonus tracks. Lead singer Nicholas Reyes has a fiery, throaty singing style and is backed by the most beautiful and emotional sound with elements of world music and flamenco that may annoy flamenco purists (get over it).

I give this release my highest recommendation. I've seen the Gipsy KIngs in concert twice and they are just as good live so check them out if they hit your town. Please note that with the exception of "Mosaique", I would not purchase individual releases as this collection grabs the best and none of their other releases has a uniting theme that would get lost in a compilation.

I had heard of the Gipsy Kings, but had never heard any of their music before. After watching "El Amor Brujo" I knew I had to run out and buy some flamenco music fast--I was hooked on the passionate flamenco guitars and rough, soulful wail of cante jondo. I looked at all of the Gipsy Kings' available CDs before deciding on "Volare," and I haven't been able to put it down a week later!

"Volare" is a fabulous 2 CD, 37 track "best of" (there is an earlier "Best of the Gipsy Kings" but it is only one CD and most of the earlier songs are also on Volare) that features several live and unreleased recordings. The songs include a lighthearted cover of "I've Got No Strings" from Pinocchio, an intriguing Spanish version of "Hotel California" that fits in perfectly with the Gypsy flamenco sound, "My Way," an upbeat Spanish/Italian version of Volare, and many wonderful flamenco tracks ("Bamboleo," "Bem, bem Maria," "Tu quieres volver," "Mi corazon"). Simply put, there is not a bad track on "Volare."

Lead vocalist Nicolas Reyes possesses a voice of raw passion and power, a hoarse cry that is at once melancholy and passionate, the soulful song of the Gypsies. The Gipsy Kings are from two different Gypsy families in France, the Reyes and Baliardos. Their songs are in Spanish and gitane, or Gypsy dialect. Their music is a blend of cante jondo, Sevillana and modern sensibilities that is easily accessible to the casual listner.

If you're already a Gispy King fan or you're new to the crowd, you can't go wrong with the sure-to-please "Volare." The only thing I was disappointed in was a lack of liner notes: only the song credits/origins were given. There was no biography or background on the group or the songs themselves.

For those of us that are rabid Gipsy Kings fans, a release of old material is disappointing, since we already have the Live CD and the "Best Of" CD already. It has been 3 years since the group released any new studio material, and now we are hit with "Volare." Although I am disappointed that the material is all old, the tracks that have been chosen on this compilation are excellent. For anyone that has ever been curious about the Gipsy Kings, or for fans that know all of their material, this is a good CD to own since many of our own home made cassette tapes contain these songs. The addition of tracks that have been unavailable in the USA (Pida Me La, for one) is a definite plus for this compilation. I think anyone that purchases this CD will not be disappointed in the choice of songs.

Great compilation! a MUST CD for any old and new fan of Gipsy Kings. As a lady from the South of France I have appreciated Gipsy Kings for many years. I have just seen their show at Radio City Music Hall in NYC and let me tell you they are better than ever! The inimitable strength of their guitar combined with the smoky flamenco voices really talked and transcended the NY audience. An excellent CD for people around the world.

While I am not a music connoisseur, I can tell you that my whole family LOVES this album. From my 34 yr. old husband right down to our 1 yr. old son and all others in between. You will not be disappointed! This is our favorite album of the summer and we try hard to be flamenco dancers while singing along and cleaning the house-it's quite a show, I assure you...

This is Gipsy Kings' second "best of" CD. This is a very good sellection of songs and very recommended for people who are getting to know the Gipsy Kings. Also it containes songs that have not been releases before on Gipsy Kings albums. The only thing that bothers me about this album is that it only contains one track from the album Compas(1997) which is very strange because Compas is an excellent album with many songs that belong on a best of DC. Another thing. It only contains four instrumental tracks which is rather stupid because their instrumental works are a big part of their history. If I would select songs for a "best of" I would choose at least six instrumental songs. I would have added Love and Liberte and Lagrimas. About their other songs. I would have chosen Pajarito instead of A Tu Vera and added Navidad to the list. Althogh I would have made some changes if I could, it is still a good release and very recommended for any music fan.

I must say that the Gypsy Kings are simply musical geniuses. Every song of theirs is a "Hit" in itself. The history of how they came together is also very fascinating. I grew up listening to these guys thanks to my dad. The first time I heard the Gypsy Kings was in 1991 (this is when I didn't even know who they were!). When sitting in the car, he would pop his cassette in the tape player and all of a sudden, this music would put me in a trance. I finally found out who they were in 96' and I was glad that I did. Bem, Bem Maria; Tu Quieres Volver, and El Verano are my all time favorites. I could listen to these 3 songs over and over and never get tired of it. It's not only the strong rhythm that they bring in their music, but its also the hard melody they play out in all of their studio recordings. For anyone who is reading this and is not familiar with the Gypsy Kings, I suggest you buy an album from them. I recommend "Volare! - The Very Best Of The Gipsy..." Since it has all their greatest hits. Once you do, you will fall in love with the sounds of Rumba Flamenca!

This double CD by the Gipsy Kings is one of my all-time favorites! I now have 2 copies of this CD and I introduce the Gipsy Kings to as many people as I possibly can. Everytime "Volare" plays, I feel like dancing! Just really great, infectious, "feel-good" music! You do not have to understand Spanish to enjoy!

What a fun set of music this is - love the lively guitar, catchy, throaty vocals and the sheer movability of the music. It's hard to listen to without moving your feet - and my children would agree! Bem Bem Maria is a favorite track of mine, and the reason I purchased the album. I had Gypsy Kings years ago, but couldn't resist this song after hearing it on the soundtrack to "Bedazzled".

This is Gipsy Kings' second "best of" CD. This is a very good sellection of songs and very recommended for people who are getting to know the Gipsy Kings. Also it containes songs that have not been releases before on Gipsy Kings albums. The only thing that bothers me about this album is that it only contains one track from the album Compas(1997) which is very strange because Compas is an excellent album with many songs that belong on a best of DC. Another thing. It only contains three instrumental tracks which is rather stupid because their instrumental works are a big part of their history. If I would select songs for a "best of" I would choose at least six instrumental songs. I would have added Love and Liberte, Moorea and Lagrimas. About their other songs. I would have chosen Pajarito instead of A Tu Vera and added Navidad to the list. Althogh I would have made some changes if I could, it is still a good release and very recommended for any music fan.