Live: Gipsy Kings

Live: Gipsy Kings

To appreciate the Gipsy Kings, a live concert is almost a necessity. If the prospect of being surrounded by screaming, sweaty hordes is unnerving, here's a vicarious way to experience the ambiance of a Gipsy Kings performance at no risk to life and limb. A fiery version of "Bamboleo" is among the CD's standouts, as are "Djobi Djoba," "Trista Pena," "Sin Ella" (the studio version appeared on the soundtrack to Peter Weir's <i>Fearless</i>), and "Allegria." The singing Reyes brothers and their guitar-picking Baliardo cousins cast all caution to the wind and audibly demolish the audience's inhibitions. It's not background listening but is guaranteed to galvanize any party. <I>--Christina Roden</I>