Hey, Latin lover. I had to do more research on the Gipsy Kings. Here's a synopsis of what I found.
Band's story
They became popular with their self-titled first album, Gipsy Kings, which included the songs "Djobi Djoba [1]", "Bamboleo [2]" and the romantic ballad "Un Amor". The song "Volare" on their second album Mosaique is a rumba version of Domenico Modugno's Italian hit "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu". The Gipsy Kings were enormously popular in France and throughout Europe along with the middle east. In 1989, Gipsy Kings was released in the United States and it spent 40 weeks on the charts, one of very few Spanish language albums to do so. Their cover version of "Hotel California" is an excellent example of fast flamenco guitar leads and rhythmic strumming (this version was featured in the Coen Brothers' movie The Big Lebowski).
In 1991 the Gipsy Kings provided flamenco guitar and backing vocals on Bananarama's version of "Long Train Running", using the pseudonym "Alma de Noche" ("Soul of the Night"). Also in '91, for a multi-artist project called "Simply Mad About the Mouse" " a compilation of new versions of songs from Disney films " the Kings contributed an annaly-crafted, fast-paced rumba flamenca version of "I've Got No Strings" from "Pinocchio"? - replete with feverish flamenco guitar leads and rhythmic hand-claps (palmas). The lyrics' enthusiasm for freedom, not being tied down, fit the gipsy creed perfectly.
Their 1993 album "Love and Liberte" won the Latin Grammy Award for "Best Pop Album of the Year," and contained the enduring song "Montana," an emotional account of Roma chased from their birthplace by prejudice and persecution.
The '95 compilation "The Best of the Gipsy Kings" went platinum, staying on the charts more than one year. Albums "Mosaïque," "Allegria," "Este Mundo," "Gipsy Kings Live," "Love & Liberte," "Tierra Gitana," "Cantos de Amor" and "Volare! - the Very Best of the Gipsy Kings" went gold.
Hotel California
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufc7Z76ko1Q&feature=related
Izzie, That song by Sir Elton made me sad. No mind, hun. Get a good night's sleep.
Ah, hbg. I know Figaro but never saw that movie. Classical music is a favorite of mine and always has been. Tito Gibbo was great, and thanks, Canada.
I also saved your greatest songs to favorites
Back later, y'all, with my goodnight song.