Gipsy Kings

Not a bad song on any of these CDs!! They all bring to mind a sultry evening in some spanish-speaking part of the world. Lilting lyrics, fast and slow conga rythms with impeccable spanish guitar work. CD#1 of the "The Very Best of..." is raucous and fast-paced, while disk #2 is more gentle and relaxing. You will have images of banana and palm trees swaying in the breezes while you relax in some spanish hacienda,cafe or cantina. Break out the premium hand-made cigars and pour up the rum or tequilla!! The Gipsy Kings are an awsome band and will bring any party to life. These CDs are "must-haves" for any serious cigar aficianado!

I really enjoy this compilation. However, it would have worked much better as a single-disc collection.

This album opens my heart and makes me feel alive. You can't go wrong.

Listening to the Gipsy Kings is like drinking pastis on a warm Mediterranean evening in the south of France. The Gipsy Kings are a Rumba Flamenca group formed from two related families from Arles and Montpellier, France. Their music is a blend of Spanish flamenco, guitar-tapping Latin rhythms, and salsa funk, and their songs involve themes of life, love, and death. We write songs that make pretty girls dance, singer-guitarist Nicolas Reyes says. Other Gipsy King members include Paul Reyes, Canut Reyes, Patchai Reyes, Andre Reyes, Diego Baliardo, Paco Baliardo, Tonino Baliardo, all on vocals and guitars. This two-disc compliation is Definitive Gypsy Kings, including career-spanning songs from their Allegria (1982) album through Cantos de Amor (1998). Tracks include:

1. Volare 3:38
2. Bamboleo 3:23
3. Djobi Djoba 3:24
4. Bem, Bem, Maria 3:03
5. Baila Me 3:45
6. Pida Me La 3:10
7. Soy 3:10
8. Sin Ella 4:34
9. Vamos A Bailar 5:03
10. A Ti a Ti 3:44
11. La Rumba de Nicolas 3:54
12. No Vivire 4:06
13. Allegria (Instrumental) 2:52
14. La Dona 4:36
15. Oy 4:49
16. A Tu Vera 3:10
17. Ami Wa Wa (Solo Por Ti) 3:59
18. Oh Eh Oh Eh 3:19
19. A Mi Manera 3:51
20. Tu Quieres Volver 3:12
21. Un Amor 3:37
22. Escucha me 4:36
23. Habla Me 4:04
24. No Volvere 3:50
25. Caminando Por La Calle 4:17
26. Mujer 4:14
27. Este Mundo 4:08
28. Ternuras 3:25
29. Quiero Saber 4:37
30. Inspiration 3:41
31. El Camino 5:03
32. Trista Pena 4:32
33. Viento Del Arena 5:27
34. Passion (Instrumental) 3:01
35. Mi Corazon 4:29
36. I've Got No Strings 3:15
37. Hotel California (Spanish Mix) 5:46

Una presentación que contiene dos cd en donde se pueden escuchar los grandes exitos de este grupo. Son mas de 30 canciones..

How about the fact that "This Is a Man's World" by the Godfather of Funk, James Brown is missing too. Just like a movie is never like the book, a soundtrack is never like the movie.


Buy it anyway! Good to have.

First let's get this out of the way: This is a great soundtrack! One cannot help but visualize the film while listening. From Bob to the Gipsy Kings to Kenny Rogers. The songs are now forever linked to the Dude and Jesus and Maude. Anyone who loves the film will want to own this. This review isn't so much about that but about my criticism of film soundtrack criticism in general.

There are several reasons why a soundtrack like this is "incomplete". Most of the time a soundtrack featuring various artists includes much more music than can fit on one cd. With BL specifically obviously there were some tracks that seem like they "must" be included. Songs that were featured prominently (tumbleweeds) or are indispensible to the plot (the eagles or creedence) seem much more valuable than say the Captain Beefheart or Costello songs.

While the "missing" songs are included the film, the rights to these songs may be limited and their inclusion on a soundtrack is NOT possible (how many Led Zeppelin songs have you ever seen on a soundtrack album? They won't even let a few notes of "Stairway to Heaven" be heard in Wayne's World).

I think a third reason is simply financial. Do you want to pay $30 for a "complete" Big Lebowski soundtrack just to get a few tracks that you probably already own (I wanted this cd for the tracks I didn't own or had never heard before. My indispensible track is "Dead Flowers"). Some of the missing songs may have been available but just not affordable if they were going to release a normally priced disc. I can imagine the crooks at Fantasy Records charging an arm an a leg for putting a Creedence track on the soundtrack.

Basically, this cd gives us a challenge to act like the Dude. Let's make our own mix tape (well, okay mix-cd)! The Dude most definately abides!

There are some definite nuggets here, such as "Condition" and "Hotel California," but there are also some VERY noticeable omissions, such as "Tumbleweeds" and CCR. Also, some of the stuff on this album is a complete mystery to me. I'm listening to it right now, and I can't remember for all the Kahlua in Mexico where some of these songs were in the film. It would be nice to see an improved, 10th anniversary edition of the CD to go with the DVD, but things don't look promising. I guess the licensing was too difficult for some tracks. Basically, I'm glad I got this on ebay.

I'm still waiting for the COMPLETE "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". This agression will not stand, man...

The Big Lebowski CD was a big disappointment. I should have looked more closely, and listened to the whole thing before I bought. There are only 3 or 4 good tracks, and Shawn Colvin's (?) cover of "Viva Las Vegas" isn't even on there. On the other hand, the Spanish language version of "Hotel California" almost makes up for it. Download the tracks you like and forget about the CD.

My header pretty much says it: their music is a celebration of life.
Good stuff.

I play this CD regularly in several situations: in my car, out on my friends' boat, while cleaning house and the days leading up to Cinco de Mayo. It is simple enough to be in the background during a dinner party and also fun enough to keep me moving. My favorites include "Djobi, Djoba", "Quiero Saber", "La Dona", "Baila Me", "Volare" and "Love & Liberte". The instrumental work is phenomenal and the raspy vocals are amazing. Even if you've never heard of the Gipsy Kings you should experience this CD.

This album is full of hits and when I got hooked on it , I did not know it was considered flamenco. Erase the old images of this genre and make way for the Gipsy Kings. This will be a must have for decades to come.

THE BEST OF THE GYPSY KINGS is FAN-TAB-U-LUS! It's music that sticks to your ribs and stays in your head. It makes you want to get up and dance and it certainly makes you want hear more of thir music.

I remember their hit "Bamboleo" back in the 80's...and decided to get this CD, thinking that that was the only song I would like. I was never a fan of the Gipsy Kings, but I am one now!!!! I can listen to their songs over and over, "Baila Me" is such an upbeat song, you cant help but want to dance. "Viento de Arena" must be in another language other than Spanish, cant understand a word of the song, but also one of my favorite.

The mix of traditional Flamenco guitars with a modern beat, is perfection in itself.

This is not the Gypsy kings of yore. If you want the authentic groove of the material that made them who they are, this is not the disc for you. This music is good, and it is part of their natural evolution as artists, but it does not exude the fire and passion of their folky and latin work at the end of the last century.

I bought this CD when I needed some music to liven up a long drive. I'd bought a few others as well, but Pasajero's driving beats and hook-y melodies proved so entertaining that it spent far more time in the CD slot than any of its more mundane companions. What fun--it made me want to *bailar* and *cantar* at the wheel. It had been a long time since I'd listened to the Gypsy Kings, and I'd forgotten their fine party spirit. I am once again a Gypsy-jero.

Susan O'Neill
Author, Don't Mean Nothing: Short Stories of Viet Nam

Its not a great CD compared to many others from their past..
Its very mellow and has no upbeat songs to compare to Volare or Bamboleo, which of course would be difficult to top.
I was a bit dissapointed - there's just no highs and lows on the CD.

I have always been a fan of the Gipsy Kings, I have most of their CD's, and this one does not disappoint! They are the best.

This albums is on par with all the other albums released but I feel it has a more contemporary spin. Most of the songs remain upbeat and you can't help but sing along. I highly recommend it, especially if you like any of the other albums they've put out. Favorites are Mira La Chica, Cafe, and Donde Esta Mi Amor.

La rumba flamenca llevada a su maxima expresion por este brillantisimo grupo de franceses que canta un español muy peculiar; desde rumbas picantes como DJOBI DJOBA, BEM BEM MARIA y BAMBOLEO hasta baladas preciosas como TU QUIERES VOLVER y QUIERO SABER; incluye instrumentales ricas en armonias como MOOREA e INSPIRACION y un clasico como A MI MANERA (MY WAY); este disco fue precisamente el DEBUT de los reyes gitanos (Y QUE DEBUT, BARBARO!!), un disco que merece ser parte de toda coleccion.

They are amazing. There are no words to describe just what an incredible talent the Gipsy Kings have. You get lost in the sound, it touches your soul, makes you weep and move. Check out Duende, high volume, close your eyes. It's spiritual it's so good. They have got to be the best guitar players...no the best band..on the planet.

This album will make anyone who has ever seen Spain (in a postcard, photo album, or through their own eyes) be mentally reteleported- and if you had no idea that Spain is one of the most musical countries in Europe, you will now. To say that this is a great example of how the Spanish guitar should be played and how Spanish music should sound is an understatement! The guitar sounds like a person, an identity of its own and the male voices blend in harmonies that no other nation (except Spain) could concur. I was left in a state of awe the first time I heard it, and now (after MANY instances of replay) I get chills every time I hear "Un Amor", "Bamboleo", "Djobi Djoba", and "Faena". Even for a non-Spanish speaker this is a great album to own; anyone can easily identify with the rhythm and feel of each song. It is truly a musical masterpiece and one of the Gipsy King's best albums.

This CD is excellent. It makes for great party music and always puts me in such a great mood. Their remake of My Way (A Mi Manera) is excellent. This is a classic!

This is the album that got me hooked. After you give it a listen, you won't care about categorizing it as Flamenco or whatever. This is hot-blooded, passionate music appealing to the same kind of music afficionado. Listen or dance or both, it's all good!

At times, delicate, and others, raucous, Roots is consistently excellent. I listen to this album almost every day--one of the better Gypsy Kings albums I've heard.

Going back to their Roots with an acoustic album of passion and rhythm, this is music that will appeal to a broader audience than just Flamencoistas. I recently heard it played frequently in Puerto Rico where one would expect only Salsa; but good music is good music, here with strong guitar, voice and driving rhythms in a rumba style flamenco the Gipsy Kings are known to create. It is sort of a "back to powerful basics" album that can be played over and over again. Sample the 30 second excerpts that Amazon provides and see if the music catches you.

This is the best CD that was ever recorded by mankind. I'm throwing my huge collection of music into the garbage and I will only listen to this masterpiece until the day I die.

To be honest with you, I haven't heard this CD. I'm only writing this to pi$$ off Oscar Perez who gave this a 2 star rating.

Im kinda surprised of the excellent review this CD got. Im my opinion this is not the gipsy kings i know. I found it average at best. I did not find the songs as interesting as many of their other CDs. I can only recommend this to hardcore fans only. For the more timid or newcomer to this music I have to recommend the Gipsy kings CD "ALLEGRIA" which has to be one of the best CDs ever made anywhere. But I have to advise most to stay away from this one...

This CD will undoubtedly bring running all the barking dogs that cry out "The Gipsy Kings are not Flamenco!" However, the dogs may find themselves sitting quietly and listening, for while this is not the sort of music which will wring cries of "Puro Gitano!" from serious Flamenco fans, it is nonetheless very good music. It is certainly the best music that the Gipsy Kings have produced in a very long time.
I was intrigued by the concept of the music being recorded in a non-studio setting, without all the trappings of pop music which have become increasingly prevalent in the band's CDs. I was both gratified and disappointed by the finished product. The picture on the cover led me to expect a more organic feel to the recording; alas, the appreciative audience who punctuate live Flamenco with vigorous cries of "Ole!" and stamp, clap, and otherwise become a part of the performance were absent.
But the music is undeniably powerful, well recorded and executed with considerable skill. In particular, tracks # 3 "Fandango (Patchai)," #5 Rhythmic," # 9 Fandango (Nicolas)," # 15 "Hermanos," and # 16 "Petit Noya" were oustanding. The two "Fandango" tracks were stripped of enough polish to allow the emotion of the music to emerge, and the Middle-eastern flavored "Rhythmic" is a delight. This is a very fine recording, and I hope that we will hear more like it.

Of course, they're the Gipsy Kings, but without the the often-Latin rythms found on most of their recording. The songs and music are beautiful but with a more calm tone to them; relaxing of sorts.

But I recommend the CD. It's like seeing another face of the Gipsy Kings.

This CD by the Gipsy Kings is one of their very best so far. A must for any Gipsy Kings fan.

The Gipsy Kings have a great and awesome sound. I enjoy listening to Mosaique CD because I love the lyrics. PSM

Este gran volumen es la segunda entrega discografica de los Reyes Gitanos y al igual que su antecesor (Gypsy Kings, simplemente)es todo un despliegue de maravillosa Rumba Flamenca, no en balde son sus mejores exponentes; elogio grandes trabajos como SERANA (Pura rumba explosiva, buenisima), exquisitas melodias como CAMINANDO POR LA CALLE y VIENTO DEL ARENA, bellas baladas melancolicas como TRISTA PENA y EL CAMINO, piezas muy prendidas y alegres como NINA MORENA y VAMOS A BAILAR, muy buenas versiones de temas clasicos como VOLARE y SOY (sencillamente divinas) y sin faltar deliciosos arreglos instrumentales como PASSION, LIBERTE y la que le da el nombre al disco, MOSAIQUE (muy rica en percusion y cuerdas); si eres amante de lo latino y lo flamenco, y sobre todo si eres fan de los Gypsy Kings, este disco es INDISPENSABLE en tu coleccion, compralo!!!

I had a cassette of Mosaique actually I still have it but needed a CD. The CD I received is in awesome shape and was mailed to me in a timely manner. I have since played it at least 5 times and look forward to listening to the Kings many, many more times to come! Thank you for such awesome service Amazon!

Mahalo,

Hawaii Nei

This is like Bamboleo, but goes deeper within. The range of human emotions is expressed, from melancholy to elation. Beautiful guitar work. These are masters of both string and voice.

I own seven Gipsy Kings CDs (including this one), and this one has to be my #1 favorite. The songs on here can stick in my head for hours. Probably my favorite track is "El Camino", but they are all fantastic.

If you are just starting to listen to the Gipsy Kings, this CD should be one of the first ones you buy. The songs don't seem to be as traditional as the ones on other disks, but they are all very very good.

I bought this for a friend because I think it's one of the best the Gipsy Kings have made.

The Gipsy Kings, who sing mostly in Spanish and apparently live and record in France -- go figure --, are incredibly prolific. Unless one is insatiable for lots of flamenco guitar and gypsy music, the collections, either this one or best of or both, will probably suffice. The disc includes a couple instrumentals and, as the title suggests, all the songs are of love, frequently the leaving kind of love (both leaver -- No Volvere -- and left -- Tu Quieres Volver). My single favorite is the lilting Caminando Por la Calle, love at first beat and some wonderful la-la vocalizing. Other picks: Mi Corazon, Hable Me, Mujer. Some will be interested to know that My Way (A Mi Manera) is better in Spanish, but not by much. Overall, very enjoyable music.

THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE KINGS ARE THE KINGS O FLAMENCO.

All the Gipsy kings albums are great, this one being my favorite. The gipsy kings have a sound like no other. They always relax me and make me feel better. This album is so sensual and romantic. I give this album 5 stars++++++++.

This is a fantastic compilation of some of The Gipsy King's most romantic songs. I am not one that by rule likes greatest hits, but in this case, I do. In my opinion, one would have to search far and wide to find music with more passion and emotion. This is from el corazon-the heart. The guitars speak volumes while Nicolas Reyes' one of a kind voice carries us through all the beauty and suffering that has encompassed Flamenco for generations. With this, a suggestion: Grab your lover and some vino, put this CD on and see what develops...I bet it'll be hotter than The Costa Del Sol!

My favorites are: "Un Amor"/"Gitano Soy"/"Love & Liberte"/"Quiero Saber"/"Caminando Por La Calle" (My most cherished of all)/"Trista Pena."

Although I am elated to see Latin music gaining popularity, some of todays stars are pale in comparison to The Gipsy Kings...Adios amigos- Que Dios te bendiga.

Best compilation of Gipsy King. I run it over and over in my car!