FROM THE EXAMINER
http://www.examiner.com/review/audiences-cavort-to-gipsy-kings-and-b-52s-at-palladium-concerts
BY TOM ALVAREZ
PHOTO FROM THE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
At first glance, you wouldn’t think a music group with a rumba flamenco style would have all that much in common with a new wave pop rock band. However, had you seen the Gipsy Kings Thursday and the B-52s Sunday at the Palladium for their Pop Series concerts, you would have noticed that what both groups shared was the ability to not only keep their audiences on their feet, but also have them dancing in the aisles.
The Gipsy Kings, who are of Spanish Gypsy descent but live in France, consist of two bands of brothers: the Reyes (Nicolas, Paul, Patchai, Andre) and the Baliardos (Tonino, Paco). Their music is derived from flamenco and rumba, with a pop-oriented salsa flavor.
Performing and speaking in Spanish during song introductions, members of the group also occasionally spoke French (their families fled into France to escape the Spanish Civil War) to a crowd that appeared to have — based on audience response — a significant Latino representation and obvious fans.
Performing and speaking in Spanish during song introductions, members of the group also occasionally spoke French (their families fled into France to escape the Spanish Civil War) to a crowd that appeared to have — based on audience response — a significant Latino representation and obvious fans.
No doubt, it was the Latinos present who were most pleased when Cuban-born Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, the new president and CEO of the Center for the Performing Arts, spoke partly in Spanish during introductory remarks made prior to the concert.
Backed by a band consisting of a conga player, drummer and keyboardist, the brothers all played acoustic guitars as the entire ensemble maintained a driving rhythm and beat that compelled audience members to dance in place and in the aisles. They played songs with titles such as “Rumba Tec,” “Caramelo,” “Samba Samba” and “Pena Penita.”
During Act 2, an unexpected moment occurred when Nicolas performed his Spanish language version of “My Way,” made famous by Frank Sinatra, but delivered here with a passion that far exceeded that of Ol’ Blue Eyes in his.
Closing the set, Nicolas also performed “Volare,” the Gipsy Kings’ Spanish version of the Italian hit “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu,” and encouraged the audience to participate, causing many to erupt in a joyous sing-along to the classic tune made famous by Dean Martin.
And what would a Gipsy King concert be without its most well-known song, “Bamboleo,” from the 1988 self-titled album? Choosing the song as their encore, the group, known for music that has been described as “a place where Spanish flamenco and Romani rhapsody meet salsa funk,” ended their concert with a fiery flourish and an emotional release like only they can.
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I felt the need to do an upbeat entry. There is so much going on in Europe, particularly France at this moment. More camps demolished and children (including newborns) left homeless in the middle of the night. Today even National Public Radio reported on the evictions.
I should be happy but instead I wonder what took them so very long to realize that something bad is happening to the Romani in France.
Morgan
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