Gipsy Kings - Roots

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Music reviews of Roots

Music Review: Roots, Firm & Deep
Rating: 5 Stars

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 brûlée 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!

Description of Roots

Folk CDs

• Music > Styles
• World Music
• Jazz
• Latin Music
• Pop