I have been fascinated by Gypsy music for a long time. The music gives a summery atmosphere and a kind of Mediterranean blues spirit. For example the Gypsy Kings. Spanish / French influences, rumba and flamenco combined. Cheerful and yet melancholic. When we used to go on holiday in France, we often went to the Camaraque, a nature reserve in the south of France where wild horses live and a lot of flamengos. Many Gypsy musicians come from this region. Don't ask me why, maybe a musically fertile soil.
I remember when my cousin came with us on vacation, I was in the car with her (she had a great Opel Ascona) and she played an album by the Gypsy Kings. The volume at 10. Beautiful memories. I still love this music a lot, on the one hand because of the memories, but on the other hand because of the stirring and emotional character. It's just pure music ..
My wife and friends around me don't think it's the best music. When the Gypsy kings came to the Netherlands, I really wanted to go there, I went with my mother-in-law :) It was a great evening with great music. And live guitars look even better in terms of sound.
I have tried to master the guitar technique, but without success :). When you see them playing the guitar it looks so simple, but give it a try. And then the rhythm, just great.
The next song is a cover of "My way" , but for me it is one of the most best versions.
Hotel California is one song you should not cover, but be honest... This again is a great version.. It got all the elements , sun, emotion, musicality...and a total other vibe to the song.
The great thing about this band is that the core is all family. Brothers, cousins etc. The foundation was once laid by the father of the initiators of the kings.
A small step from Gypsy kings is Gypsy Jazz, they both have the word Gypsy :). If there is one king of Gypsy jazz then it is without a doubt Django Reinhardt, Django is the world's most famous Sinti guitarist. Sint is a gypsy stream. Django came from Belgium and is one of the leading gypsy jazz guitarists. The bizarre thing is that Django injured his little finger and ring finger so that he could only play with three fingers, but that did not stop him from continuing with his passion, playing the guitar.
In Holland we have our own Gypsy trio, The Rosenberg trio. They have (and still have) played all over the world on all major jazz courses. They come from a very musical gypsy family. In the following film they play their own interpretation of the theme of the godfather.
I am lucky enough to see them live in my previous hometown Zutphen. Again with my mother-in-law, by the way :) The lead guitarist of the trio has a guitar played by Django Reinhardt herself. Isn't that great. The founder of Gypsy jazz and you have his guitar.
I have a soft spot for gypsy music. It is virtuoso and melodious. Nice once to delve into it yourself ... Who knows.
Have a nice evening everyone,
Greeting,
Peter