Volare! - The Very Best Of The Gipsy Kings

Gipsy Kings

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 5, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 5, 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B00004WZOL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,354 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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

  #17 in	Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Gypsy
  #26 in	Music > World Music > Latin Music > Flamenco
  #33 in	Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Spain

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There's very little doubt that the Gipsy Kings are good at what they do--they've become the brand name in Sevillana, the pop-oriented flamenco style. Since 1989, when the single "Bamboleo" and their Gipsy Kings album broke through and went gold in the United States, they've found a willing audience in America for their style, which, while flashy, doesn't demand a great deal of the listener, unlike more hardcore versions of flamenco. This double set collects 37 of their biggest tracks, including a version of the Eagles' "Hotel California," into one package guaranteed to satisfy fans of their precise, jubilant playing. And there's no denying they have the power to move people with their singing and fretwork, making this a must for those who want to experience all the familiar material in one sitting. Like the band themselves, the record is an unqualified success as a greatest hits package. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous, comprehensive insight to Gipsy Kings flamenco!, March 31, 2002

By	Veggiechiliqueen - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well-Earned 5 Star Effort, July 20, 2003

By	guillermoj (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Compilation, September 9, 2000

By	Efren Diaz (Laurel, MD) - See all my reviews

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.