"Volare" is a fabulous 2 CD, 37 track "best of" (there is an earlier "Best of the Gipsy Kings" but it is only one CD and most of the earlier songs are also on Volare) that features several live and unreleased recordings. The songs include a lighthearted cover of "I've Got No Strings" from Pinocchio, an intriguing Spanish version of "Hotel California" that fits in perfectly with the Gypsy flamenco sound, "My Way," an upbeat Spanish/Italian version of Volare, and many wonderful flamenco tracks ("Bamboleo," "Bem, bem Maria," "Tu quieres volver," "Mi corazon"). Simply put, there is not a bad track on "Volare."

Lead vocalist Nicolas Reyes possesses a voice of raw passion and power, a hoarse cry that is at once melancholy and passionate, the soulful song of the Gypsies. The Gipsy Kings are from two different Gypsy families in France, the Reyes and Baliardos. Their songs are in Spanish and gitane, or Gypsy dialect. Their music is a blend of cante jondo, Sevillana and modern sensibilities that is easily accessible to the casual listner.

If you're already a Gispy King fan or you're new to the crowd, you can't go wrong with the sure-to-please "Volare." The only thing I was disappointed in was a lack of liner notes: only the song credits/origins were given. There was no biography or background on the group or the songs themselves.


A Well-Earned 5 Star Effort   July 21, 2003
guillermoj (Washington, DC United States)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

I was a relatively early joiner to the Gipsy Kings bangwagon as I "discovered" them in 1991 when I was introduced to them via their "Mosaique" CD, which in my opinion is by far the best non-greatest hits release that this group has put out. Although I speak Spanish, many of the songs don't require knowledge of the language to feel the power, although it's a plus. I get nostalgic everytime that I hear "Caminando Por La Calle" or "Triste Pena" because they are so powerful and remind me of an extended bitter-sweet moment in my life.

This 2 CD set expands on 1995's Best Of (which was a single CD) and as is the case with very few artists, the Gipsy Kings fill every second of both CDs with their joy and emotion. Not a dud in the bunch, which covers the band's nine-album discography with some bonus tracks. Lead singer Nicholas Reyes has a fiery, throaty singing style and is backed by the most beautiful and emotional sound with elements of world music and flamenco that may annoy flamenco purists (get over it).

I give this release my highest recommendation. I've seen the Gipsy KIngs in concert twice and they are just as good live so check them out if they hit your town. Please note that with the exception of "Mosaique", I would not purchase individual releases as this collection grabs the best and none of their other releases has a uniting theme that would get lost in a compilation.


Best of...   June 17, 2001
Andres M. Vilhjalmsson (Iceland)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is Gipsy Kings' second "best of" CD. This is a very good sellection of songs and very recommended for people who are getting to know the Gipsy Kings. Also it containes songs that have not been releases before on Gipsy Kings albums. The only thing that bothers me about this album is that it only contains one track from the album Compas(1997) which is very strange because Compas is an excellent album with many songs that belong on a best of DC. Another thing. It only contains four instrumental tracks which is rather stupid because their instrumental works are a big part of their history. If I would select songs for a "best of" I would choose at least six instrumental songs. I would have added Love and Liberte and Lagrimas. About their other songs. I would have chosen Pajarito instead of A Tu Vera and added Navidad to the list. Althogh I would have made some changes if I could, it is still a good release and very recommended for any music fan.


An Excellent Compilation   September 9, 2000
Efren Diaz (Laurel, MD)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

For those of us that are rabid Gipsy Kings fans, a release of old material is disappointing, since we already have the Live CD and the "Best Of" CD already. It has been 3 years since the group released any new studio material, and now we are hit with "Volare." Although I am disappointed that the material is all old, the tracks that have been chosen on this compilation are excellent. For anyone that has ever been curious about the Gipsy Kings, or for fans that know all of their material, this is a good CD to own since many of our own home made cassette tapes contain these songs. The addition of tracks that have been unavailable in the USA (Pida Me La, for one) is a definite plus for this compilation. I think anyone that purchases this CD will not be disappointed in the choice of songs.


Volaré, Best of the Gipsy Kings   September 16, 2000
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Great compilation! a MUST CD for any old and new fan of Gipsy Kings. As a lady from the South of France I have appreciated Gipsy Kings for many years. I have just seen their show at Radio City Music Hall in NYC and let me tell you they are better than ever! The inimitable strength of their guitar combined with the smoky flamenco voices really talked and transcended the NY audience. An excellent CD for people around the world.