The Best of the Gipsy Kings

Gipsy Kings

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 1995)
• Original Release Date: March 28, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J38
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,671 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Music > World Music > Latin Music > Flamenco
  #7 in	Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Gypsy
  #23 in	Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Hailing from the Reyes and Baliardo Gypsy families, this ensemble from the south of France has been playing "rumba flamenca" since the late 1980s. With this 1995 compilation, the songwriting talent and virtuosity this unique group possesses were gathered together in one comprehensive CD. Notable inclusions are the anthemic hit "Bamboleo," from their debut, Gipsy Kings; the slowly emotive "Trista Pena" the Italian cover "Volaré," from Mosaïque; and assorted live cuts that wonderfully capture the wild energy these players spark onstage. In short, the Gipsy Kings are a celebratory bunch who know how to rock with a rhapsody of acoustic guitars, passionate vocals, and walls of congas, timbales, cabasas, and bongos. Check this caravan out. --Karen Karleski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best From The Very Best - The Gipsy KINGS!, July 8, 2003

By	Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

There are no words to truly describe the music of the Gipsy Kings. You just have to listen to understand that this is music that stirs the blood and moves the soul. The Gipsy Kings will transport you to another world, where you will want to dance your heart out, and sing along at the top of your voice - good-bye inhibitions. The sound of this CD is pure magic!

The Gipsy Kings are from the gypsy settlements in Arles, and Montpelier, in the south of France. The group began back in the 1970s and is made up of singers and guitarists from the Reyes and Baliardo families. Lead singer Nicolas Reyes is the son of famed Flamenco singer José Reyes. Their music really took-off in 1986 when they began to work with record producer Claude Martinez. The band's trademark is the indigenous music called the rumba flamenco, with its frenetic guitar work and passionate vocals. The rumba - which originated in Africa - traveled from Zaire via the slave trade to Cuba and the New World, then back to Barcelona, where it was adopted by the Gypsies.

The group sings in gitane, a dialect mixing French, Spanish, and Catalan. "The Best of the Gipsy Kings" is an 18-track, single CD that includes much of their finest work. Cuts like "Djobi, Djoba," "Bem, Bem, Maria," "Escucha Me," and "Baile Me," will literarily move you - your feet, then your hands and shoulders...you just have to dance to this music. The dramatic "Viento del Arena" is pure sound of Spain with a gypsy touch. The mournful "Triste Pena," and "Amor" are ballads with roots plainly in flamenco. And "Volare" is a classic, with a slightly different take - gypsy style.

I have yet to hear anything that I do not like from the Gipsy Kings. There is only music that I love, and music that I like very much. This CD is a compilation of the best of the best!

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am never tired of it!, March 24, 2000

By A Customer

I can listen to the Gipsy Kings at any point in the day. There are songs on this album to uplift me and songs to relax me. I don't understand the language, but I find myself trying to sing along. It is that good.

All of their albums are wonderful, but this is by far the best. I find myself repeating the tracks on this album. The guitar music is incredible. I have never heard anyone play a guitar so well and with such swift and intricate notes. The singing is just as wonderful, and each song has its own personality. You will never feel like you are listening to the same song over and over. The Gispy Kings have true talent, and it is wonderful to listen to such great music.

As a side note, I believe that one of their songs, "Bamboleo," was used in a Burger King commerical. Their music is out there. People don't realize it. Get this album today. It is worth it.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always great listening and never fails to cheer me up., December 8, 2003

By	Timothy Read (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is so unlike most music I buy. Most of the stuff I listen to is rock, and I tend to like loud music. However, I've always liked jazz and classical, so I've got my ear open for sounds outside of my normal listening diet.

At one point in college I was going to sit in for a few friends who had an informal flamenco gig. I wanted to get an ear for what I might be playing, so one of the guitarists recommended this disc.

Am I ever glad he did.

Somehow, this album is one I can always get into. It's got great rhythms all the way through, and interesting guitar lines (if you're into King Crimson/Guitar Craft, this may scratch an itch for you). But what's great about this album is that it's very song-driven. Great, usually upbeat songs that make you feel cheerful, even if you don't know what's being said.

The sound on this album is good -- varying in quality in places (some live tracks; tracks from different albums). But you never miss anything important.

The greatest compliment I can give this album (besides the fact that after having owned it for years it still gets heavy play) is that it it's one of the few recordings I hear with totally innocent ears. I don't try and pick apart its production, I don't try and analyze every bit. I just sit back and enjoy -- which is perfect virtually any time.

Strongly recommended -- no matter what you're into. Just listen to a sample.