With all of the postponed concerts last year due to the draconian COVID restrictions, the crowd at The Greek Theatre was ready to celebrate, finally getting out into the open before the next set of Governor Gruesome’s rules come down in force. The Gipsy Kings, led by Nicolas Reyes, sensing the need for celebration, turned what started out as a concert into something more like an Armenian wedding reception, with the enthusiastic crowd dancing in the aisles, taking selfies and catching up with one another before the next stay at home orders.
The opening act, harpist/vocalist Mikaela Davis, brought out her upstate New York band of Kurt Johnson/dobro/stellg, Shane McCarthy/b and Cian McCarthy/g to perform songs from her first and upcoming albums. The music, including songs like “Get Gone” and “Looking For Home In the Country” had Davis’ Stevie Nicks-ish voice deliver a half hour of rural and traditional sounds that combined elements of Fairport Convention, Pentangle and Poco with a dash of the blues and modern tones.
You had to be in pretty good shape for the 1 ¾ hour set by the Gipsy Kings, as most of the time everyone was on their feet, either dancing or swaying to the infectious Andalusian pulses and melodies. The nine-piece band, chock full of 5 guitarists, showed their flamenco sketches on a series of instrumentals, with the relentless strummings of Francois, Andre, Patchai and Pablo Reyes created an exciting of avalanche of rhythm joy.
Leader and founder Nicolas Reyes, with his patented raspy and impassioned voice, makes you feel like you’re taking in the serenades of a village troubadour, be it on glorious romantic pieces like “Sin Ella” or inviting the audience to grab a partner on “Baila Me” and “Vamos A Bailar”. Popular tunes such as “Bem, Bem Maria” and “Djobi Djoba” created atmospheres of a street festival than a concert, and the packed house, tired of being told to stay home and watch Netflix, was ready to break out of the blues.
If you came looking for introspection in your artistry, The Gipsy Kings were able to deliver it during the middle section of the concert, but the audience came to celebrate and take in the moments of freedom, and the galloping caravan supplied all of the ingredients on this rich fall night when the mood held water.
Upcoming shows at the Greek include The Monkees Farewell Rout 11/14 and Caribou 11/15. Next season includes Brandi Carlile 06/23-25 and Alicia Keys 09/-6-07