¡Vamos a Bailar! - The Discography (original) (raw)

U.S. Releases	European Releases
Gipsy Kings (1988) BamboleoTu Quieres VolverMooreaBem, Bem, MariaUn AmorInspirationA Mi ManeraDjobi, DjobaFaenaQuiero SaberAmor, AmorDuende 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.
Mosaïque (1989) Caminando por la CalleViento del ArenaEl CaminoMosaïqueSeranaLiberteVolaréTrista PenaNiña MorenaPassionSoyVamos 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.
Allegria (1990) Pena PenitaGalaxiaSolitudaLa DonaAllegriaUn AmorPapa, No Pega La MamaSuenoTristessaAmor D'un DiaLuna de FuegoCalaveradaRupturaViento del ArenaPrincessaOlvidadoCiento 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 MeSin EllaHabla MeLagrimasOyMi VidaEl MauroNo VolvereFuriaOh Ma�TernurasEste 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 andGreatest 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
Live (1992) IntroAllegriaLa DonaEl MauroBem, Bem, MariaTrista PenaOdeonSin EllaQuiero SaberLa QuieroHabla MeGalaxiaFandangoTu Quieres VolverOh MaïDjobi, DjobaBamboleo 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.
Love & Liberté (1993) No ViviréCampanaEscucha MeRitmo de la NocheMadre MiaPedir a tu CorazonMichaëlQueda Te AquiGuitarra NegraNavidadMontañaLove & Liberté Love & Liberté is an excellent studio album, inferior only to Mosaïque and Tierra Gitana. After recordingEste 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.
Best Of The Gipsy Kings (1995) Djobi DjobaVineto del ArenaBaila MeUn AmorMooreaVolaréQuiero SaberEscucha MeLa DonaMontañaBem, Bem, MariaTrista PenaBamboleoGalaxiaVamos a BailarLove & LibertéA Tu VeraMedley 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 DjobaBaila MeBamboleoPida Me LaBem, Bem, MariaVolaréMooreaA Mi ManeraUn AmorGalaxiaEscucha MeTu Quieres VolverSoyLa QuieroAllegriaVamos a BailarLa DonaMedley 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 asBest 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 andBest of the Gipsy Kings is beyond me, but for the record I preferBest 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 TiSiempre Acaba tu VidaEstrellasMi CorazonMujerTierra GitanaPajaritoLos Peces en el RioIgual Se EntoncesCataluñaA Tu VeraCampesinoLa 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 thanTierra 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.
Cantos De Amor (1998) Un AmorGitano SoyA Mi ManeraNo VolvereLove & LibertéQuiero SaberMi CorazonCaminando por la CalleMadre MiaPassionHabla MeTu Quieres VolverMujerTrista PenaInspiration Why, you may ask yourself, have I placed Cantos de Amor beforeCompas, 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 toLove 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 onLove 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.
Compas (1997) Ami Wa Wa (Solo Por Ti)Que Si Que No (Funiculi Funicula)Un Rumba Por AquiRecuerdo ApasionadoMira La Itana MoraLa Fiesta ComenzaCanto a BrazilSalsa de NocheMi NiñoDi MeObsesion de AmorLo Mal Y Lo BienAmor 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 AquiMira La Itana MoraRecuerdo ApasionadoLa Fiesta ComenzaSueno de NocheQue Si Que No (Funiculi Funicula)Canto a BrazilObsesion de AmorMi NiñoDi MeLo Mal Y Lo BienAmor GitanoSalsa de NocheSolo 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) TristessaAmor AmorPharaonA Mi ManeraAllegriaBem, Bem, MariaMooreaQuiero SaberDuendeDjobi DjobaVamos a BailarBamboleo 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 titleCaravan to Midnight. And not a penny less!
U.S. Tour '90 (1990) LiberteChiribiPharaonBamboleoTrista PenaCaminando por la CalleDjobi DjobaPassionA Mi ManeraPena PenitaEl CaminoFandangoViento del ArenaBem, Bem, MariaVamos a BailarAllegria 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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