Gipsy Kings Album: “Volare! The Very Best of the Gipsy Kings”

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.