〜From The First Half〜 〜From The Second Half〜
Please e-mail me or leave your comments on the Gipsy Kings Signboad.
No.12 From George Sabini (sabini@spacelab.net) Sun, July 20 1997, 11:47:49(Japan time):
Hi everyone!
I recently had an incredible Gipsy Kings experience. During the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks of June, the Nicolas & Tonino, with the help of a local percussionist and a drum machine, played each Friday and Sunday night at Scratch in NY City. This is a little restaurant/bar with a capacity of *maybe* 50 people. What an incredible experience. My table was about 3 feet away from them. I'm not sure what they were doing in NY for that long... maybe recording/production.
They took frequent breaks and freely hung out, and were very accessible. My friend Mary even requested that they play Caminando por la Calle, which they did.
I saw them only on two nights, as I was frequently out of town during this period, but if I had the opportunity, I'd have gone every night. Very well worth it.
The whole thing recieved no publicity. I happened to find out from a friend that they were playing there, and always do when passing through NYC.
I heard one song that is not on any of the albums as I recall: a cover of the old Italian song "Marina" ("Marina, Marina, Marina, ti volgio piu presto sposar'... o mia bel' amore, no, non mi lasciare, non mi devi rovinare, oh no...") Very rocking, and does justice to an old song that has never been successfully covered in many attempts.
-George
No.11 From Dan Raymond (aray@mail.techline.com) Sat, June 21 1997, 00:00:26(Japan time):
The show in General Motors Place, the palacial new hockey/basketball coliseum known
as "The Garage," was quite an event. The stage was set up along one side of the rink
instead of an end so the setting was much more intimate than the average arena venue.
At either side of the huge dance floor, which was situated directly in front of the
stage, were two temporary nightclubs filled with well-dressed rich folk eating tapas
and enjoying waiter service form the bars. Anyone who had a lower level ticket had
access to the floor, so it got packed quickly. There was some dancing taking place but
mostly it was like a mosh pit at a Nirvana show up front. The Gipsy Kings played two
sets of 50 and 55 minutes in duration. The highlight for me was the inclusion of many
new songs and a great "paso doble" which just has to be on the new record. Their
merchandise was poor, to say the least. They could really use a good merch manager.
After doing some shows last summer with the masters of merch (KISS), I know what is
possible in the highly profitable and fan-satisfying world of trinkets and such.
Monsieur Martinez, ecoutez-vous? I can hardly wait to see them again and next time it
will hopefully be with Chieko and family. Thanks for all the contributions.
Hasta tarde vosotros,
Dan
No.10 From Bob & Lauren Bish (bish@azstarnet.com) Tue, 10 Jun 1997 03:11:43:
It was a MUCH better show than in Phoenix, Az. (May 26). They played the Chateau St. Michelle Winery (how appropriate) in Woodinville, near Seattle, Washington on June 6. Entering the site, one drives through vineyards. We could only think of the GK members passing through the vineyards, not to pick the grapes, but to play a concert.
There was a light rain before showtime. The rain increased as the backup band came out to do the brief introduction. As the Gipsy Kings hit the stage, the rain suddenly stopped and did not return.
The sound was much better and the band was more enthusiastic. The show was basically the same, with a few minor differences. Michael Baliardo again appeared at the beginning of the second set. This time he played guitar with the rest of the band.
This was the final show in the first leg of their U.S. tour. It was WELL worth travelling 2,000 miles to see it.
Perhaps the cooler temperature made for more comfortable performance. GK was exciting, enthusiastic and performed with the excitement shown in their videos. After the heat in Phoenix, devastating to all, this venue made for a show that was much more heart-felt. GK even did a traditional bullfight , high energy number that perhaps they included because they were having a good time as well as the audience. Glad to have seen them at the height of their energy.
It was another sold-out concert and the audience members were on their feet and dancing for almost all of it.
...Bob and Lauren
No.9 From Lydia Tue (Lhutalips@aol.com) Mon, June 2 1997, 12:51:40(Japan time):
Hello all Gipsy Kings Fans!!
I was to so excited to fly all the way from Las Vegas to see the Gipsy Kings perform at a "sold out" Greek Theatre concert on Saturday, May 31, 1997!! I had 2nd row seats from the stage, and they were excellent! They played a lot of new songs, and a couple of songs that they didn't play in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock. .. Baila Me & Montana instead in Las Vegas they played Igual Se Entonces & a medley of songs Bamboleo, Baila Me, Djobi Djoba (it's the last song from their Best of the Gipsy Kings album.). The Greek Theatre stage was larger than the one at the Hard Rock. The Studio Color lighting was arranged in a semi-circle at the Greek Theatre, different from the Hard Rock where the lights were suspended from the ceiling, since the stage was smaller. They had a lot of spotlights with differrent colors red, blue, green red, violet...and even lights that were computerized and would pivot in different directions..up, down, diagonally. The Gipsy Kings just love to sing and perform, and the audience just wants more and more. They just can't get enough!! I was close enough to see their guitar playing technique, and how they all signal each other. They smile and nod to the audience. Nicholas had a real nice black silk shirt with a white design on it.. Everyone was dancing by their seats, aisles etc. It was a Fabulous Fiesta!! The crowd roared to Un Amor, La Rumba De Nicholas, Bamboleo... They played so beautifully!! Absolutely Outstanding!! 10 Plus!! I felt like I was in a dream having seen them two weekends in a row! Really! Does anyone know what happened to the two beautiful flamenco dancers that they had last year?? I'm already volunteering from Las Vegas to run away with the Gipsy Kings!! Just tell me the date, time & location and I'll be there with my flamenco dress! They Gipsy Kings poured out their hearts to the audience! They are the Best!! I love them!!
Love& Kisses to the Gipsy Kings, and to all the fans around the world!!!
From Glitz Glamour Las Vegas
Lydia
Lhutalips@aol.com
No.8' From Rick Amancio (ramancio@tstonramp.com) Mon, June 2 1997, 11:00:07(Japan time):
oh yeah!, on that new song that everyone seems to love,
"ome wa wa" (or something like that) part of the chorus is lifted
from Patchai's album. The line is from the song "la rumba de
la roquetta" and is "solo para ti bailara,(repeat)...just thought
i'd let you know
oh yeah, how come there isn't any personal info about the band members?
like age, children, etc.? just wondering
No.8 From Rick Amancio (ramancio@tstonramp.com) Mon, June 2 1997, 10:49:44(Japan time):
I saw the gipsy kings 3 times, actually. I saw them at the pond on the 28,
and at the greek on friday and saturday. They were great! unfortunately
they didn't play many of the old stuff, like they did last year. As
usual the crowd was slow to respond, and didn't stand up till "pida me
la," But all of the songs were well played and well received especially
that new one where georges dances around with the conga drum on stage.
i also wish that canut had more opportunities to sing, seeing how his voice
was in top form on all three nights. The group as a whole seemed to play much
better than last year, in terms of energy. They seemed to be in a better
mood, some of them actually dancing on stage. Nicholas actually stayed
on stage during songs he didn't sing on, and he actually played guitar this time!
WHile i'm here, could someone send me some info on how to get a hold of
some gk live videos? I would really love to get the albert hall video and the
live "90 video, and would prefer not to order them over the internet, for
safety reasons, and some of the japanese imports (best mixes,etc.),
i'd be very grateful. thanks.
No.7 From Brenda B. (brendaB@webtv.net) Sat, 31 May 1997 11:00:07:
Watching the GIPSY KINGS last night(May 30th) was again, magnificent.
The Greek theatre, Los Angeles, was sold out and alive with the GK 's
fiery music. On stage a half hour late the group appeared annoyed at the
pace with which the audience entered and were not animated until that
same audience exploded into thunderous applause later into the first
act. Lots of new ballads and upbeat material at first then slowly into
the popular songs that have put GK on the map. The audience contining
with thier approval, singing along, dancing up on thier feet LOTS
turned this concert into a joy. The GK picked up on the vibes and
delivered a powerful evening on a warm Hollywood night
I.m certain that one of the groups little girls was recognized doing
gypsy style dancing up on the stage, in the wings, as thier father,
uncles and sons wowed the crowd. I have a sore throat today from
singing, yelling and participating in this stirring concert and my legs
are hurting from all the dancing I did right at my seat even with fellow
attendees I never saw before. Having seen the GK before I knew what to
expect but I got alot more than I expected! If you have never seen GK
before and they are coming to your area, RUN don't walk to get your
tickets NOW.
Best from Long Beach Ca. USA to all my fellow fans.
BRENDA B.
No.6 From (JanetDW381@aol.com) Sat, 31 May 1997 12:15:49:
Hello!
I just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your Gipsy King Web site! The translations have been very helpful and it's interesting to read all of the comments and impressions of the concerts as well as follow the links.
My ears are still ringing from the concert last night (Friday, May 30) at the Greek Theater in LA. Unfortunately, we were sitting pretty far left of center though fairly close to the stage. There was a bit of "distortion" on the bass sounds which drowned out a lot of the vocals. It was less noticable as we walked back farther. It may have been the sound engineer or it may have been where we were sitting.
Typical of a Gipsy Kings concert, everyone was up on their feet dancing for a good bit of the show. Not just dancing in place...dancing in the aisles with partners. Lots of new material (all of it good ... and well received by the audience). The audience was most enthusiatic for Baila Me, Bambaleo, and Mi Amor and a new song which they played mid way through the concert and used later on as an encore. At the end of the encore...they started to walk off and then rushed the mikes to give another chorus of the new song acapella. Truly an enjoyable night!
All the best,
Janet Darrow-Winter
No.5 From Jairo Daniel Antunez (jairantu@lasierra.edu) Thu, 29 May 1997 22:59:41:
I truly think that this concert was very impressive. They gave an
outstanding performance in Aneheim. They performed about five or six of their new material, which by the way should be out in stores by August. They also performed A tu vera, Montana, Pida Mela, Bamboleo, Baila Me, La rumba de Nicolas, Un Amor, and a few others. It was a night of pure energy. Bamboleo was supposed to be their last song. After Bamboleo, Nicolas said buenas noches and they left the stage.
The crowd didn't want the night to end and in the dark were cheers for the G.K to return. Suddenly from the dark they emrge and perform one of their new songs again. This song that they performed seems to be very catchy....mi wa wa me lleva al baile......Everyone was singing this sentence as the concert ended. It was , to me, a memorable night.
I hope all of you have the same experience as I did.
Chau,
Jairo Antunez
No.4 From "Bob Bish" (bish@azstarnet.com) Wed, 28 May 1997 14:00:49:
Concert: The Gipsy Kings
Date: May 26, 1997
Place: Mesa Amphitheatre, Phoenix, Arizona
Scheduled Start Time: 7:00 pm
Actual Start Time: 7:15 pm
Break: 8:10 pm until 8:30 pm
End: 9:35 pm
Attendance: The 4,200-capacity amphitheatre was sold out.
Lineup: (on stage from our left to right) Paul Reyes, Andre Reyes,
Nicholas Reyes, Tonino Baliardo, Paco Baliardo, Patchai Reyes, Canut Reyes.
Not Appearing: Diego Baliardo
Surprise Musician: Michael
Baliardo quietly appeared on stage during the second half, helping out
with percussion. (In the "Tierra Gitana" documentary video, Michael,
the son of Diego, is shown while it's explained that he doesn't like
to go to school because he has to get up early in the morning.)
Backup Musicians: The usual group. The same bass player, keyboard player
and drummer as seen in "Tierra Gitana", "Live at Royal Albert Hall"
and "U.S. Tour '90". There was a conga player and another
percussionist we didn't recognize.
The Review:
The keywords for this concert were "NEW MATERIAL"! The first five tunes the Gipsy Kings played were all new ones. They also played several other new tunes during the show. Most of the new tunes were upbeat, some were instrumentals, and one was a very nice slow song. One was sung by Paul and Andre with only occasional background vocals by Nicholas.P> We were a little disappointed at what they didn't play. I (Bob) wanted to see them play "Galaxia" more than anything, but they didn't play it. They also didn't play "Viento del Arena", "Fandango" or even "Djobi Djoba".
They DID play:
"Montana", "La Quiero", "Baila Me", "Rumba de Nicolas",
among others, and "Bamboleo" (of course) with which they closed the
show.
At one point, Paul went to the edge of the stage, reached his hand toward a lady in the front row and helped her onto the stage to dance. She danced on stage for several minutes before the bouncer "helped" her back down. The crowd loved it!
Bob's Impressions:
Personally, I thought the sound was lousy. I may
be picky, since I was an audio engineer myself for many years, but
others agree that the mix could have been much better. It was way too
loud and way too heavy on the low end to the point of distortion. It
was often difficult to hear the vocals and guitars. The bass was too
much, drowning out and distorting the subtleties. It's as if the
sound people thought they were mixing a heavy-metal concert. The
Gipsy Kings deserve impeccable sound. The band played splendidly,
however.
Lauren's Impressions:
I was completely overwhelmed just to be there
and to see these splendid musicians on stage that I had seen so many
times on videotape. Binoculars helped. Not knowing the titles of the
new material, I'm not sure that they didn't play "Fandango." I think
they played an instrumental arrangement of "Fandango" that blew me
away. Also in the new material twice they did a vocal arrangement
that I can only spell AH-KI-WA-WA, something that I remember from
about 1960. It was, if I remember correctly, something Bruce Morrow
used to play on radio in NY that was an afro-cuban rhythm. Looking
forward to Seattle. Viva la Gitana!
Overall, we enjoyed the concert so much that we've purchased concert and airline tickets to see them AGAIN in Seattle on June 6.
...Bob & Lauren - Tucson, Arizona USA
No.3 From Lydia Tue (Lhutalips@aol.com) May 27 1997, 07:13:50(Japan time):
Love&Kisses to all Gipsy Kings Fans!
Lydia
No.2 From (LHutaLips@aol.com) Mon, 26 May 1997 17:58:53:
The Gipsy Kings were in Las Vegas and they performed at "The Joint" in the Hard Rock Hotel/Casino. They were FABULOUS!! The band had two concerts at the Hard Rock one was on Saturday, May 24, 1997 and Sunday, May 25, 1997. The band is wonderful they had so many standing ovations, and the audience just loved all their passionate love songs. What can I say they are the BEST!!
I didn't know that they have a few new albums. Love Songs-Gipsy Kings & Estrellas-Gipsy Kings. I can't wait to see them again in Glitz Glamour Las Vegas!!
Gipsy King Fan,
LhutaLips@aol.com
No.1 From (LANANON@aol.com) Sun, 25 May 1997 02:12:56:
Aside from the pure joy of seeing the Gipsy Kings again, and excitement about their upcoming album "Compas" (I think) which is a throw back to their flamenco roots, I was disappointed by the venue and aspects of their performance. I couldn't help but feel they were not into it 100%, and suspecting that they are here instead of at the annual festival at Les Saintes Maries de Mer, can understand why. Also, Nicolas' voice was not as powerful nor as clear as usual. The sound system had a few flaws, and I didn't particularly like the use of an echo at the end of Nicolas' phrases. I hope the tour strengthens as it goes, and that the band finds better audiences than in San Diego, although everyone was on their feet by the end and shouting "Otra! Otra!." On the other hand, the new songs, which I'm sorry I did not document, were on the whole very successful. One song in particular, "On mi wa-wa" (who knows how it's written or what it means) had what I would call a calypso beat, strong jungle drums and was immediately popular. They played it twice in the program, in fact. Back were the old favorites, "Bamboleo," " A Ti A Ti," "Viento del Arena," etc. I was sorry Canut did not sing more - his voice is as captivating and beautiful as ever. Once again, the promoters were woefully short on merchandise. Just a few T-shirt models and that's it. I know several of us were prepared to drop big bucks for books, photos, etc., but the marketing machine is not yet rolling. Currently in the throes of post-concert melancholy, I'm considering travelling to L.A. to see them again. Will try to forward media coverage to you as well. Best regards to you Chieko, to fellow fans, and to the band, "BRAVO!!!" -Nanon