Ola to the Gipsy Kings!

The sound of guitars strumming in the fresh air. A soft, gentle breeze and a lot of laughs. This is what great music, be it classical, reggae or folk, does to one's soul. It is the universal feeling most people get when they listen to their favourite tunes. For me, this weekend offered a chance to meet the living legends of my childhood.

For anyone who has grown up in a large family, there's always an imaginary revolving door. People are coming and going. Travelling up and down. Some enter your life when you least expect it and others choose to stay away. What remains are the moments of human interaction. The stuff that nostalgia, in any language cannot explain but hopes to do so in song.

My interview with the Gipsy Kings was postponed, cancelled and at times even seemed outright impossible. These days every one is on a tight schedule. It is no one's fault. I just made sure I didn't let anything or anyone stop me from meeting the six guys who were there for a sound check 24 hours before their big event in Dubai.
The Legendary Andre Reyes of the Gipsy Kings all rehearse at Seville's 16th birthday at Wafi Pyramids Restaurants in Dubai. 

Andre Reyes is the heart and soul of the Gipsy Kings. In spurts of English and a my broken French, we spoke of songs that I told him touched my heart from the age of 15. The band has completed 25 years together. Like any family, there's been a falling out but we chose not to dwell on that. Today was a day to remind him that even though my own family doesn't speak Spanish or a lot of French, we have cherished the music that The Gipsy Kings created all those years ago.

Savor Flamenco (a play on Sabor Flamenco, "Flamenco Flavor") is the thirteenth studio album by the Rumba Flamenca group Gipsy Kings. Released by Andre Reyes and his group who reside in the South of France. At the time of this interview, Andre was gearing up to play the new album for an excited UAE audience.

It takes a lot of courage to keep doing what you are passionate about. For now Andre and me were on the very same page. I discussed this blog with him. Showed him my pieces on Sting, Carlos Santana, Rod Stewart and the other greats and assured him that he is up there with the best.
"Others may come and go but his voice is still the same." He wants to make people happy, says Sara his manager.At the heart of it all, this is a family band that for over 25 years experienced ups and downs like any of us. Andre Reyes and his boys are only interested in sharing good vibes.
The group consists of members of the Reyes family and an extended family that have together taken their music to worldwide success with its’ rumba flamenco style, mixing pop influences and simple melodies. 
As for the fans, especially those who are the readers of Ab:original, we don’t believe in the gossip that’s out there. There are pirated versions of albums, unnecessary arguments and brawls over who is best. 
The band of boys and grown men that I met is more interested in real sounds. Andre Reyes said, “It has been my pleasure to make people happy. That will remain the same. We are true to our roots. It is who we are.” The six acoustic guitars with classic gipsy vocals and a super backing band gives the group a courage like never before.When I mentioned that people in India have been listening to their sounds from the hills of Sikkim to the beaches of Goa, Andre is speechless. He autographs a CD of mine purchased many years ago. We start to sing some of the songs from yesteryears and suddenly there’s a magic in the air. I wish them nothing but further success as they go about on their way. We speak the same language of love, hope and remaining true to yourself.   

Comments

  1. THIS JUST IN FROM THE BAND...

    André Reyes Des Gipsy Kings
    01:03 (15 hours ago)

    to me
    Hello Abigali,

    All is well thank you. We are in the airport leaving now back to France.

    Thank you for the interview and the love you have for us the Gipsy Kings. We will come back soon.

    Greetings from all the group to you and the family.

    Regards,

    Sent from my iPhone

    ReplyDelete

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