Gipsy Kings Allegria album listing has inaccurate cover and year

Dear Allmusic:

I love your site!!

Along with submitting my review for your approval today, I would like to mention that the listing on your site for the Gipsy Kings’ album Allegria is inaccurate. That album was originally released in 1982 (using a different cover that I provided here as an attachment). The version currently on your site is better suited to the Gipsy Kings' compilation page.

Please see my review (which I am also posting below)

Thanks,

Peter Lacy (a 20-year loyal follower of your site)

Allegria

This amazing album, first released in 1982, was the actual recording debut of the Gipsy Kings. A 17-track disc of the same name released in 1989 was a collection of these songs and others from their second album, Luna de Fuego. These two early offerings are of a piece: stripped down instrumentation featuring simple acoustic guitars, vocals, and handclaps, representing on tape the force and vibrancy that sprang from the live interaction of the young ensemble. The shouts of support and back chatter add to the sense that you’re there on the spot, creating an atmosphere that sounds genuine and alive. The group would eventually add a drum kit, electric bass, keyboards, horns and even strings, but you can’t beat the atmosphere here for sheer authenticity and immediacy.

Allegria opens with “Pena Penita,” which harkens back to the 1950’s Lola Flores flamenco hit “Ay Pena Penita Pena.” Whereas traditional flamenco music can be stiff in its characteristic reliance on form, the Gipsy Kings chose to infuse their take with an infectious rumba catalana rhythm, and the joyous result would be a key ingredient to their eventual worldwide success.

One of their great early songs, “La Dona” is a breezy, heartfelt love song (dedicated to Brigitte Bardot, an early fan who discovered the boys performing on the Riviera in the 1970s).  Two other songs here would later be re-recorded to wide acclaim. “Djobi, Djoba” is the first glimpse of a song that would rival “Bamboleo” in global popularity. More freewheeling than in its 1987 remake on Gipsy Kings, this version is less dramatic and more straight forward.  Most of the Gipsy Kings’ best songs are love songs, and “Un Amor” ranks at the top.  Immortalized on their 1987 album, it is no less stirring and beautiful in this early incarnation. 

A standout in the group’s catalogue, “Papa, No Pega la Mama” is unique for its subject matter: domestic abuse. It captures one of their best early recorded performances, highlighted by the contrast amongst the three lead vocalists Nicolas Reyes, Canut Reyes and Nino Balliardo.  An early classic, “Tristessa” is vintage Gipsy Kings: driving guitars, punctuated by in-your-face lyrics (“Todo hay que matar o no!”), the theme suggests a sad regret for lost, even mistreated, love.

Three instrumentals, “Pharaon,” “Solituda,” and “Sueno,” showed that from the very beginning the Gipsy Kings were an artistic force demanding to be taken seriously.  These stunning performances demonstrated the band’s early commitment to guitar virtuosity and set the tone for all their albums to come by showcasing Tonino Balliardo’s brilliance on lead guitar, a complement to the vocal-led songs.­ A fourth instrumental, the title track, is an uplifting and joyous evocation of those Riviera beaches. The band would use a rousing rendition of “Allegria” to open its Live album 10 years later. (An allegria is one the purest forms of Andalusian songs and dances.)  Available only in this initial release, “Recuerda” is a sweet, understated song, wonderfully performed with a delicate touch on guitar and beautiful vocals by Nino Balliardo. The decision to close their initial album with this subtle track reveals the confidence the group already possessed.

Allegria proves this band of gypsy musicians had it all from the very beginning, including endearing songwriting and incredible musical skill. It represents the true Gipsy Kings in all their glory, coming to you direct from the beaches of St. Tropez.  Inject this wonderful, life-affirming music into your veins at your peril, as you may never be the same.