The Discography

Albums

Videos

Ratings are out of

U.S. Releases	European Releases
	Allegria (1982) Pena Penita Allegria La Dona Solituda Sueno Djobi, Djoba Un Amor Papa, no Pega la Mama Pharaon Tristessa Recuerda Allegria was the first album the Gipsy Kings released under their own name. It consists primarily of more traditional flamenco-style pieces, featuring, of course, Tonino's otherworldly guitar. It includes two songs never released on a U.S. album (Pharaon and Recuerda) and the original acoustic version of Djobi Djoba. Note that this album and its successor, Luna de Fuego, are very different from the Gipsy Kings' later albums. They are both "unplugged" and have no instruments besides guitars, voices, and hand clapping.
	Luna de Fuego (1983) Amor D'un Dia Luna de Fuego Calaverada Galaxia Ruptura Gipsyrock Viento del Arena Princessa Olvidado Ciento Luna de Feugo, released shortly after Allegria, is very similar in terms of style and form, although each track is certainly a uniquie musical experience. (An attribute the Gipsy Kings display more than many bands.) It features the same array of acoustic guitars, hand-clapping, and heartfelt vocals. Along with excellent versions of songs such as Viento del Arena and Amor D'Un Dia (with Canut at the helm), Luna de Fuego includes Gipsyrock, which was never released in the U.S.A.
Gipsy Kings (1988) Bamboleo Tu Quieres Volver Moorea Bem, Bem, Maria Un Amor Inspiration A Mi Manera Djobi, Djoba Faena Quiero Saber Amor, Amor Duende I can't really say that Gipsy Kings is my favorite Gipsy Kings album. I will not dispute the fact that there are some rockin' songs on this album, including Djobi Djoba, Bem, Bem, Maria, and of course the almighty Bamboleo. There are also some wonderful ballads, such as Un Amor, Tu Quieres Vovler, and the beautiful instrumental Duende. The only reason I don't like this album as much as I used to is that almost all of these songs exist elsewhere as much better versions. For example, Tu Quieres Volver, Bem, Bem, Maria, and Bamboleo are all on Gipsy Kings Live and are much more styled and passionate there. The versions of Moorea and Djobi Djoba on Live at the Royal Albert Hall are again far superior to the cuts on Gipsy Kings. You may have noticed that both albums I just cited are live cuts. This goes to prove that the Gipsy Kings are much better live than in the studio. I can't say that it's a bad album, for it shows the levels of sophistication that the Gipsy Kings are capable of. I only feel that other albums are a better investment.	Gipsy Kings (1988?) Bamboleo Tu Quieres Volver Moorea Bem, Bem, Maria Un Amor Inspiration A Mi Manera Djobi, Djoba Faena Quiero Saber Amor, Amor Duende My comments about the U.S. version pertain here as well. I think the only difference between the U.S. and European versions of Gipsy Kings is the order of the tracks.
Mosaïque (1989) Caminando por la Calle Viento del Arena El Camino Mosaïque Serana Liberte Volaré Trista Pena Niña Morena Passion Soy Vamos a Bailar Mosaïque is, to my way of thinking, one of the Gipsy Kings' best studio albums. It demonstrates effectively the diversity of which they are capabale and was not matched by a studio album until the release of Estrellas/Tierra Gitana. It contains the unbelievably powerful Viento del Arena (if you don't believe me, crank the volume in absolute darkness... trippy), the infectiously rhythmic Soy and a live version (Remember, the Gipsy Kings are always better live!) of this website's namesake, the dance-inspiring Vamos a Bailar. The album also contains the the beautiful instrumental Passion and dark and complex Trista Pena. To be completely fair, the live version if Trista Pena found on Gipsy Kings Live is superior, especially in the quality and power of Nicolas' performance. My only objection on this album is the inclusion of a version of Volaré. To be sure, it is the best version of the song I've heard, but I simply don't like the song that much. I suppose the Gipsy Kings don't cover other artists more often than a lot of groups, but I'd still rather hear their own work or their performance of more traditional Gypsy/Flamenco music. Mosaïque remains nevetheless one of my favorite Gipsy Kings recordings.	Mosaïque (1989) Caminando por la Calle Viento del Arena Mosaïque Camino Passion Soy Volaré Trista Pena Liberte Serana Bossamba Vamos a Bailar The European version of Mosaïque shuffles the tracks (Why do they do that? Can anyone tell me?), retitles El Camino as Camino and replaces the song Niña Morena with the instrumental Bossamba. It is a fairly even trade, for both are good songs. If only they had traded Volaré instead! Also, The version of Caminando por la Calle isn't the same as the version on the U.S. release. It also isn't the version on US Tour '90 or that you may have heard in concert after about 1990. They have merely added a couple extra persussion and woodwind tracks. Other than that, it's identical to the studio version on the U.S. release of Mosaïque; The European version also features different cover art; specifically, the gypsy woman who is also featured on the sheet hanging behind them on the Live at the Royal Albert Hall video.
Allegria (1990) Pena Penita Galaxia Solituda La Dona Allegria Un Amor Papa, No Pega La Mama Sueno Tristessa Amor D'un Dia Luna de Fuego Calaverada Ruptura Viento del Arena Princessa Olvidado Ciento Some time after the Gipsy Kings became popular in the United States the decision was made to re-release some of the material which they had recorded earlier and which was available, up until this point, only in Europe and very occasionally in the States. Thus the European versions on Allegria and Luna de Fuego, both several years old by this point, were merged and released as a single disc. The decision was also made to delete four tracks from the two European recordings, possibly to make the double recording fit onto one CD. The only other reason I can think of is some sort of copyright/reprinting issue. The four songs which didn't make the cut were Djobi Djoba, Pharaon (too bad!), Recuerda, and Gipsyrock. Unlike the Gipsy Kings' other U.S. releases, Allegria is the same acoustic style as their first European albums. It's a real treat for U.S. fans who like more traditional flamenco songs and want access to the Gipsy Kings' older material. For True Fans, however, I would have to recommend obtaining the original European cuts as well.
Este Mundo (1991) Baila Me Sin Ella Habla Me Lagrimas Oy Mi Vida El Mauro No Volvere Furia Oh Maļ Ternuras Este Mundo Okay, I'm afraid I have to express my feeling that the Gipsy Kings sort of missed the mark with Este Mundo. This is not to say it's a bad album; don't forget it's still the Gipsy Kings we're talking about here. However, many of the tracks on Este Mundo try for a lighter, airy, more abstract sound that just doesn't work as well as many of the rhythmic dance tunes and ballads on the Gipsy Kings' previous and succeeding albums. Every dark cloud has a silver lining, of course, and Este Mundo certainly contains some excellent tracks, chief among them Oy (recorded as Chiribi on U.S. Tour '90); as well as El Mauro, Oh Maï, and Hable Me, all recorded on Gipsy Kings Live. The bouncy and infectious Baila Me was first recorded here but is reproduced on Best of the Gipsy Kings and Greatest Hits. Furia is an excellent instrumental with André doing some interesting bass guitar work. In summary, Este Mundo should by no means be skipped by a True Fan, but someone looking to acquire a taste might do better to try Gipsy Kings Live, Mosaïque, Tierra Gitana, or of course, Best of the Gipsy Kings	Este Mundo (1991?) Baila Me Sin Ella Habla Me Lagrimas Oy Mi Vida El Mauro No Volvere Furia Oh Maļ Ternuras Este Mundo As far as I know, the European version of Este Mundo is identical to the American version. The track order may well be different, however.
Live (1992) Intro Allegria La Dona El Mauro Bem, Bem, Maria Trista Pena Odeon Sin Ella Quiero Saber La Quiero Habla Me Galaxia Fandango Tu Quieres Volver Oh Maï Djobi, Djoba Bamboleo Gipsy Kings Live is, without a doubt, the pinnacle of the Gipsy Kings' recording career to this point. The Gipsy Kings are much more excellent live in concert than in the studio because they draw energy and enthusiasm from the crowd and it shows through clearly in their music. At various places in the recording, you can hear the band and the crowd interacting, and in many songs you hear the band members shouting to each other. The album is a fairly good reproduction of a concert experience. The record contains amazing track after amazing track. First off, the high-energy dance numbers are simply off the scale in the vocal quality and the general sound. The CD has great versions of Bem, Bem, Maria, La Quiero, Oh Maï, Djobi Djoba, and of course, Bamboleo. When he can see the reaction of the crowd, Nicolas simply throws himself into the ballads. You can easily imagine him in tears (as he has been on occasion when I've seen the Gipsy Kings live) as he sings Hable Me, Tu Quieres Vovler, and especially Trista Pena. Of course Tonino will not be left behind, and his instrumentals, particularly Galaxia, are simply superb. One of his best tracks, however, is the traditional Fandango. Nicolas and Canut alternately assist him with with their singing, but the focus, however, is on the guitar. Some is improvisation (It's never played exactly the same way twice) and some is reliant on traditional melodies, but the two blend perfectly and the interaction between Tonino and the singers, honed by the many times they've played this song together, almost demonstrates a supernatural connection between them. Okay, I have to stop talking about this one now. Suffice it to say that Gipsy Kings Live is my favorite Gipsy Kings album, polished in every detail; an absolutely spellbinding experience. Recommended in every way.	Live (1992?) Intro Allegria La Dona El Mauro Bem, Bem, Maria Trista Pena Odeon Sin Ella Quiero Saber La Quiero Habla Me Galaxia Fandango Tu Quieres Volver Oh Maï Djobi, Djoba Bamboleo As far as I know, the European and United States versions of Gipsy Kings Live are identical. I have a vague memory of seeing a copy of this CD in Germany which had different cover art (namely a caravan and a woman sillouhetted against the setting sun) but I have never seen it since and I may be misremembering, as it was several years ago. Unfortunately, I was not a True Fan at the time, so you can stop asking yourself why I didn't buy at speeds slightly exceeding those of light through a vacuum.
Love & Liberté (1993) No Viviré Campana Escucha Me Ritmo de la Noche Madre Mia Pedir a tu Corazon Michaël Queda Te Aqui Guitarra Negra Navidad Montaña Love & Liberté Love & Liberté is an excellent studio album, inferior only to Mosaïque and Tierra Gitana. After recording Este Mundo, the Gipsy Kings took some time off with the release of their live album, but for this cut they went back into the recording studio and went back towards the rumba flamenco sound. Which is not to say this recording isn't excellent or isn't diverse. Pedir a tu Corazon is an excellent upbeat song; the reggae-infused Escucha Me is an excellent track (although I have to say I like the European version better), and Montaña is a real treat for all the Canut fans. The only thing I don't really like about this album is that most of the instrumentals are somewhat bland. Ritmo de la Noche is pretty good (if you can hear past the yips), but Michaël and Guitarra Negra are not outstanding when compared to the Gipsy Kings' other instrumentals, or the other tracks on theis album. Not to say, of course, that the tracks don't have excellent guitar work, but simply that they seem to lack individuality and spice. All my own opinion, of course. The instrumental Love & Liberté, however, recovers almost all the lost ground by itself. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've heard, filled with longing, pain, happiness, fullfillment, freedom, and a score of other emotions. This CD's namesake track is a bright star on Tonino's résumé.	Love & Liberté (1993) Pedir a tu Corazon Escucha Me Ritmo de la Noche Montaña Queda Te Aqui Navidad Michaël Madre Mia No Viviré Guitarra Negra Campaña Love & Liberté La Quiero The European version of Love & Liberté shuffles the tracks and adds La Quiero. Of course, this song can be heard on Gipsy Kings Live, but this studio version is available only here and on Gipsy Kings Greatest Hits, neither of which, unfortunately, is generally available in the United States. The version of Escucha Me here is different from the American version, but is the same on as found on Greatest Hits. Don't even ask me why Campaña is spelled here with a tilde and not on the American version. I just print 'em like I see 'em.
Best Of The Gipsy Kings (1995) Djobi Djoba Vineto del Arena Baila Me Un Amor Moorea Volaré Quiero Saber Escucha Me La Dona Montaña Bem, Bem, Maria Trista Pena Bamboleo Galaxia Vamos a Bailar Love & Liberté A Tu Vera Medley About the time Love & Liberté was released, I started thinking to myself, "well, the Gipsy Kings have done a live cut; I wonder how long before they release a greatest hits compilation?" Little did I know how short the wait would be. The original album available was Gipsy Kings Greatest Hits which I purchased in an ordinary record store. After only a couple weeks, however, it was pulled and Best of the Gipsy Kings sold in its place. Greatest Hits remains available in Europe and Canada. (see facing panel). Best of the Gipsy Kings does actually represent some of their best work, such as Viento del Arena, Love & Liberté, Vamos a Bailar, and A Tu Vera. It also includes an extremely interesting "techno" remix which includes samples from Bamboleo, Volaré, Djobi Djoba, Pida Me La, and Baila Me. You have to hear it to believe it, but it is definitely different. I think it goes to prove that the Gipsy Kings have a sense of humor. Best of the Gipsy Kings is a good all-around collection and is good starter material for those destined to become True Fans.	Greatest Hits (1994) Djobi Djoba Baila Me Bamboleo Pida Me La Bem, Bem, Maria Volaré Moorea A Mi Manera Un Amor Galaxia Escucha Me Tu Quieres Volver Soy La Quiero Allegria Vamos a Bailar La Dona Medley Whenever I see "Greatest Hits" type albums, I wonder how much input the artists themselves have over the track selection. Sometimes I guess the answer is "not much." This Gipsy Kings compilation, however, is a good representation of the band's repertoire. Gipsy Kings Greatest Hits includes a similar track listing as Best of the Gipsy Kings, including the same medley available on the U.S. release. Several changes have been made, however, including the versions of Escucha Me and La Quiero different than those available in the States, and Pida me La, which is totally unavailable in the U.S. Much to my irritation, Greatest Hits contains both Volaré and A Mi Manera, which, while decent covers, don't in my opinion represent the Gipsy Kings' true potential and have no business on an album of this style, although you won't catch me saying so in print. Why the powers that be decided to release both Greatest Hits and Best of the Gipsy Kings is beyond me, but for the record I prefer Best of the Gipsy Kings. Regardless, Greatest Hits is a good compilation, especially because it contains several tracks not otherwise available in America.
Tierra Gitana (1996) A Ti A Ti Siempre Acaba tu Vida Estrellas Mi Corazon Mujer Tierra Gitana Pajarito Los Peces en el Rio Igual Se Entonces Cataluña A Tu Vera Campesino La Rumba de Nicolas Tierra Gitana is without a doubt one of the Gipsy Kings' better studio cuts. As much as Mosaïque, this album shows the variety of which the Gipsy Kings are capable and the emotion which they so easily inspire in their audience. I have to dig hard to come up with complaints about Tierra Gitana. I suppose I could moan about the fact that the album's two ballads, Mujer and Mi Corazon, are placed right next to each other. (In general, Extrellas' order is better than Tierra Gitana's.) Also, it annoys me that when they selected a track to remove from Estrellas, (which came out first) they chose Forever, which I think is a very nice instrumental. OK, how petty can I get? On a personal note, Tierra Gitana was the first album I purchased after making the transition from Fan to Fanatic. When I saw it in the store (having already purchased Estrellas mail-order) I saw that the only difference between the album and its European counterpart was cover art, track order, and one extra song. Did I really need it? My decision the purchase it was definitely a step in the right direction. Anyway, hindsight is 20/20 and if I had had a chance to listen to Los Peces en el Rio, there would have been no decision to make. That song rocks. Tierra Gitana contains many other gourmet dishes for the ears, including the wonderfully bouncy La Rumba de Nicolas, Pajarito, and Igual se Entonces. A version of A Tu Vera is included which is more like the version they play in concert than the version on Best of the Gipsy Kings. The instrumentals are first rate, although the ballads on this album are not my favorites when you consider the entire Gipsy Kings' repertoire. Overall, however, Tierra Gitana is an excellent album.	Estrellas (1995) La Rumba de Nicolas A Ti A Ti Siempre Acaba tu Vida Forever Mujer Campesino Cataluña Igual Se Entonces Pajarito Tierra Gitana A Tu Vera Mi Corazon Estrellas It is really hard for me to decide whether I like Estrellas better than Tierra Gitana or not. I don't listen to it as much, but that's partly because it would be harder to replace. I think the tracks are ordered better, and the song Forever is my favorite instrumental on the album. It was removed from the U.S. release to make room for Los Peces en el Rio, which I like better without a doubt, but I wish they had chosen a different instrumental to remove. A bonus factoid also presents itself with this album. The version of Mujer is slightly different. Specifically, the introductory 15 seconds or so are played on a piano instead of a guitar. Knowing this definitely can help push you over the line dividing Fan and Fanatic! Besides different (and in my opinion, nicer) cover art of which the cover art on Tierra Gitana is reminiscent, the two albums are about the same, and my other comments from Tierra Gitana aply.
Cantos De Amor (1998) Un Amor Gitano Soy A Mi Manera No Volvere Love & Liberté Quiero Saber Mi Corazon Caminando por la Calle Madre Mia Passion Habla Me Tu Quieres Volver Mujer Trista Pena Inspiration Why, you may ask yourself, have I placed Cantos de Amor before Compas, even though it's dated 1998? Have I lost my gourd? I'm afraid not. Cantos de Amor is dated 1998 because that is when it was released. The CD itself, however, is copyrighted 1996. The CD is also almost identical to Love Songs, which was released in Europe in 1996. Therefore, I suspect that the release of Cantos de Amor was pushed back in the U.S. for some reason, until after Compas was released. Perhaps the Gipsy Kings or their management didn't feel it would do well in the U.S. I mean, they knew I would buy it, even if it differed from Love Songs only in cover art, but I am only one Fanatic out of 250 million or so Americans. Well, anyway, the album itself is very good, although keep in mind that it is a compilation. Also, some of the songs, such as Tu Quieres Vovler, Habla Me, and Quiero Saber appear live elsewhere, and live is always the best way to hear the Gipsy Kings. Cantos de Amor does contain one new track, Gitano Soy, which is an excellent and moving piece, although it's too bad they didn't include the live version they played in their 1998 tour. Interestingly, the version of Mujer is the European version on Love Songs and Estrellas, but the version of Caminando por la Calle is the U.S. version. Cantos de Amor is of course good music and great mood music, but if you're looking for the variety of which the Gipsy Kings are capable, you won't find it here. But that's no reason not to add this album to your collection.	Love Songs (1996) Un Amor Gitano Soy A Mi Manera No Volvere Love & Liberté Quiero Saber Mi Corazon Caminando por la Calle Madre Mia Passion Habla Me Tu Quieres Volver Mujer Trista Pena Inspiration Mein Gott in Himmel! It finally happened! the Gipsy Kings released a European album with the same track listing as the U.S. conunterpart!! Or rather they released an album in the U.S. with the same same track listing as the European original. The order isn't even shuffled! Well, before you get all excited, note that in fact the cover art is completely different, the album has been retitled, and (arg!) the version of Caminando por la Calle is different. Namely, it's the version for the European Mosaïque. Oh well. Close!
Compas (1997) Ami Wa Wa (Solo Por Ti) Que Si Que No (Funiculi Funicula) Un Rumba Por Aqui Recuerdo Apasionado Mira La Itana Mora La Fiesta Comenza Canto a Brazil Salsa de Noche Mi Niño Di Me Obsesion de Amor Lo Mal Y Lo Bien Amor Gitano The Gipsy Kings' latest effort, Compas is a worthy addition to their discography. I can't say I like it as much as some of their other studio albums, but it is by no means a poor showing. Compas certainly contains a couple of world-beaters, namely Una Rumba Por Aqui and the mysterious Mira La Itana Mora. Ami Wa Wa is also certainly a crowd pleaser, as evidenced when they play it on concert. On the instrumental note, Tonino has not last any of his talent for constructing intricate, beautiful, and fascinating music, and this time takes a bite out of jazz, with the sexy Obsesion de Amor. Although I would have purchased it instantly regardless, Compas is definitely worth having.	Compas (1997) Solo Por Ti (AmiWaWa) Un Rumba Por Aqui Mira La Itana Mora Recuerdo Apasionado La Fiesta Comenza Sueno de Noche Que Si Que No (Funiculi Funicula) Canto a Brazil Obsesion de Amor Mi Niño Di Me Lo Mal Y Lo Bien Amor Gitano Salsa de Noche Solo Por Ti (AmiWaWa) Remix Most of my comments regarding the American version of Compas apply here as well. Once again, the Gipsy Kings have released an album in the U.S. and made minor, maddening changes. For example, the track order has been altered, and Song #1 is listed as "Solo Por Ti (AmiWaWa)" where as the U.S. version is apparently called "Ami Wa Wa (Solo Por Ti)". (Spaces in "Ami Wa Wa" this time!) Why do they do this!?!? Why? Why? Why? In the changes-that-matter department, The European version has one completely new track, Sueno de Noche a pleasant ballad that has remained concert-only for U.S. fans, as well as a remixed version of Ami Wa Wa, er, pardon me, Solo Por Ti.
Videos
Live at the Royal Albert Hall (1989) Tristessa Amor Amor Pharaon A Mi Manera Allegria Bem, Bem, Maria Moorea Quiero Saber Duende Djobi Djoba Vamos a Bailar Bamboleo Well holy cow. This has got to be one of the Gipsy Kings best performances ever. I wish I had been there. They start with a simply jaw-dropping version of Tristessa, and two songs later, Tonino sits down for a simply unbelievable version of Pharaon. He proves over and over, especially when he plays the instrumentals, which beside Pharaon include Moorea, Allegria, and Duende, that he is one of the best guitarists alive. This concert video has got it all. I can barely stay seated when Bamboleo comes on, let alone Vamos a Bailar. (which features a young attractive woman from the audience climbing up onto the stage to dance before she's hustled off by security.) And don't even talk to me about Bem, Bem, Maria! The Royal Albert Hall is a large theater in London (which the Gipsy Kings packed), and through the BBC the concert has been aired on PBS several times. If you see it's going to be on, watch it. That's an order! Also, a (probably bootleg) copy of the soundtrack is available under the title Caravan to Midnight. And not a penny less!
Fuego (1990) Bamboleo Djobi Djoba Vamos a Bailar Volare Baila Me Sin Ella Bamboleo (French Version) Well, what can I say? Any recording group has to do videos, right? I sometimes wonder how much creative control, if any, the group doing the music has over the look of the video. Which is not to say these videos are bad. Most of them are just... strange. They range in setting from a barn, presumably in Provence somewhere (Sin Ella), to New York City (Djobi Djoba), to a caravan (The french version of Bamboleo), to a concert hall (Vamos a Bailar). It is clear that many of the videos are set and/or were filmed in France, and a lot of them have a very French feel. It is clear from these videos (not that there has ever been any doubt) that the Gipsy Kings really enjoy playing their music and the effect it has on people. If only Tonino had gotten up onto that trampoline and played the guitar...
U.S. Tour '90 (1990) Liberte Chiribi Pharaon Bamboleo Trista Pena Caminando por la Calle Djobi Djoba Passion A Mi Manera Pena Penita El Camino Fandango Viento del Arena Bem, Bem, Maria Vamos a Bailar Allegria On any other day this video would probably get five stars too, but I just finished writing about Live at the Royal Albert Hall and I have to admit that U.S. Tour '90 is not quite as good. Which is not to say that U.S. Tour '90 isn't very good. It feature some of my favorite songs, such as Viento del Arena, Passion, and an excellent version of Pena Penita. It also shows a live version of Fandango which is great to watch as well as listen to, especially when Canut picks up a guitar too. I only wonder why, when they assembled the video, they stuck Bamboleo smack in the middle... odd. The video also features behind-the-scenes footage of the Gipsy Kings on airplanes, in their dressing room, and touring around the country. The concert itself was filmed at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California.

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