Latin American beats had been joined with flamenco by gitanos since at least the 1950s, mixing complex strumming with rhythmic, percussive tapping on their guitars' tops. The new Reyes generation — soon to meet and join up with three guitar-playing brothers from the Baliardo family — began creating more pop-oriented songs. They played at roma parties and at street corners until they got their chance to record under the group's new name, Gipsy Kings.
Sharp-eyed individuals might have noted that all the left-handed members of the group play guitars strung upside-down; this is usually as a result of the individuals' not having their own guitars when growing-up. Borrowing and playing a right-hander's the wrong way up was the only way to learn.
Band's story
They became popular with their self-titled first album, Gipsy Kings, which included the songs "Djobi Djoba ", "Bamboleo " 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.
Lead guitarist Tonino Baliardo — who has always written the group's instrumentals — released his first solo album, Essences, in 2001; a second self-titled one followed in 2003.
Flamenco purists criticized their use of drum kits, electronic bass, and electronic keyboards and rock and reggae beats. Defenders say they helped create a new style.
Gipsy Kings' total album sales worldwide now exceed 18 million; they toured worldwide again in 2007. They are the world's best-selling music group from France in history, according to their website, where dates and places of their current tour can be found.
Years active: from 1987 till present.
Members
Gipsy Kings are members of two related families: the Reyes and the Baliardos (Reyes means Kings in Spanish). They are cousins of the flamenco great Manitas de Plata, lead guitarist Tonino Baliardo married his granddaughter. Nicolas, Canut, Paul, Andre and Patchai Reyes are sons of flamenco singer Jose Reyes. The Gipsy Kings are:
Nicolas Reyes: lead vocals, guitar
Paul Reyes: backup vocals, guitar
Canut Reyes: backup vocals, guitar
Patchai Reyes: backup vocals, guitar
Andre Reyes: backup vocals, guitar
Diego Baliardo: guitar
Paco Baliardo: guitar
Tonino Baliardo: lead guitar
Chico Bouchikhi was also a member of the Gipsy Kings, but quit after the album Mosaique.
Aven Aven
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Porque somos una familia
Yo tengo una mujer tan buena
Dios del cielo te bendiga
Yo tengo una mujer tan buena
Dios del cielo la bendiga
Yo no quiero a ti, perderte
La vida esta muy guapa un dia de primavera
La vida esta muy guapa un dia de primavera
Aven Aven
Aven Aven
Why ya verás, why ya verás a los gitanos
Why como juegan, como juegan en verano
Aven Aven
Aven Aven
Why ya verás, why ya verás a los gitanos
Why como juegan, como juegan en verano
The lyrics of Gipsy Kings’ song “Aven Aven” describe the life of a family and the importance of cherishing those we love. The first verse states that they need to change their lives because they are a family. The second verse emphasizes the love the singer has for his wife and how much he values her. He asks God to bless her. The chorus, “Aven Aven,” repeats twice, followed by the line “Why ya verás” (“You’ll see”), and then repeats again. The next two lines of the chorus describe how the gypsies play in the summer.
The song is sung in Spanish and, like many Gipsy Kings songs, features a mixture of Spanish and Romani lyrics. The verses and the chorus are sung in Spanish, while the “Why ya verás” phrase is sung in both languages. The romani language is often used in Gypsy music to express their culture and heritage. The song is a lively guitar-driven track that derives its energy from the flamenco, salsa, and rumba rhythms.
The song has numerous interpretations, but the main theme is family, love, and the importance of living one’s life to the fullest, especially during summertime. It has become one of the most iconic songs by the Gipsy Kings and a fan favorite. Overall, the lyrics of “Aven Aven” are an ode to the Gypsy way of life- merry, energetic, and full of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Tenemos que cambiar de vida
We need to change our way of living
Porque somos una familia
We are a family and need a better life
Yo tengo una mujer tan buena
I have a wonderful wife
Dios del cielo te bendiga
God blesses you from the heavens
Yo no quiero a ti, perderte
I don't want to lose you
Yo sin tí no soy nada
Without you, I am nothing
La vida esta muy guapa un dia de primavera
Life is beautiful on a spring day
Aven Aven
Come on, come on
Why ya verás, why ya verás a los gitanos
You will see the gypsies
Why como juegan, como juegan en verano
And how they play in the summer
Lyrics © PEERMUSIC FRANCE, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANDRE REYES, FRANCOIS CANUT REYES, JACQUES PACO BALIARDO, MAURICE DIEGO BALIARDO, NICOLAS REYES, PATCHAI REYES, PAUL REYES, TONINO ANTOINE BALIARDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Recep Halil Gültekin
on Un Amor
Vuoi amare Bedla