Morocco - Moroccan Gypsies - Groupe Sidi Mimoun/Groupe Ben Souda

Advantages: Fast, lively, talented, rare sounds
Disadvantages: None that I can think of except it might be difficult to understand lyrics

...Firstly a little bit about the band as I notice there is a distinct lack of reviews about them. Taraf de Haidouks are the Buena Vista Social Club of Europe, they're unbelievably talented musicians from a small village in Romania. The band line-up changes and they are forever willing to experiment with other musicians. Having been to a few live concerts of them myself, I can say that they are very open, friendly, talented and create a vigour and excitement about the crowd that can rarely be compared. Now on to the album - Band of Gypsies was recorded in Bucharest in the year 2000, it was the 4th album put out by Taraf De Haidouks, looking to integrate other Balkan styles they invited Kocani Orkestar (from Macedonia), Filip Simeonov a clarinet player from Bulgaria and percussionist Tarik Tuysuzoglu from Turkey to play alongside them... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Will make you want jump up and dance, great mood lifter.
Disadvantages: I don't think so?

...Sometimes when you catch a song on the radio, you think to yourself, I might buy this it sounds okay. Or maybe you'll get one where the lyrics are just so empathetic to the way you are feeling and you become the band's greatest fan. Start Wearing Purple. Not necessarily profound, but utterly amazing. I heard this on radio 1 and realised I had missed who the artist was, I went onto the BBC forum to find out who they were, I then got onto amazon or play and bought the album. Within a week of receiving the album I was doing what I could to find out about ( Did you know Eugene Hutz ((the lead singer and I think Songwriter for the band)) stared alongside Elijah Woods in Everything Is Illuminated) the band, and the album Gypsy Punks Uderdog World Strike is a fantastic album. From Sally to Not A Crime, Start Wearing Purple to underdog world... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A change in sound by Hendrix
Disadvantages: A change in sound by Hendrix

...After disbanding the 'Jimi Hendrix' Experience, the 'man' himself went on to form the 'Band of Gypsys' with bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles (who penned two songs on the album). Although a studio album was never released, this live album just about covers what the new band was about, a more relaxed, bluesy style. Jimi dropped the British pop sound altogether and adopted his own style of blues. When you first hear this album you are immediately taken aback with the change of style compared to the previous studio albums, but after a few listens you will start to get in the groove again. The sound is laid-back, but as with all live albums is spontaneous and experimental. I know that some Hendrix fans regard this as his finest piece of work, I disagree as this belittles his previous work, which earned him his reputation as simply... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful