Arles, France, 14 August, 2006.  -- France loves a party, and the 85th birthday of one its most famous guitarists was truly a cause for celebration. The Night of Peace concert, starring Manitas de Plata and featuring Chico and the Gypsies  was held under the open skies in the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Arles, home of many of the Camargue's most famous musicians.
 

All the world seemed to arrive for the concert. Totally sold out, entrance became possible only by who you knew. Outside the theatre was a scene of chaos, which inside, turned to one of electric anticipation for the music to come. A perfect night in an amazing setting. All attention focused on the stage.
18 musicians walked onstage together. From house left to right, The Steeve Lafont Trio, Josefina, Chico and the Gypsies, and Passion Flamenca. The groups all remained onstage playing together and separately.

The Steeve Lafont Trio performed manouche jazz in the  tradition of Django Reinhardt Gypsy Jazz. Smooth. Flamenco Passion played traditional flamenco. Their dancer was passionate as well as technically proficient. Their singer was excellent. Duende.
 

Josefina, the soloist singer/player from Marseille exhibited an amazing depth of voice and passion, offering up flamenco and rumba in a delicious melange. She more than held her own as the single woman singer and guitarist on stage. She has toured with Chico and the Gypsies in the past.
 

Chico and the Gypsies enjoyed the hometown crowd, and, as usual, displayed their musical prowess. Chico has put together some of the strongest musicians in the Camargue with this band. Vocalists Manolo Jiminez, Jean-Claude ‘Mounin’ Vila and Joseph Gauthier (previously with Gitano Family) are masters. Kema Baliardo, a great guitarist in the making, as lead dazzling the crowd with his blistering solos. The strong rhythm guitars of Babato Bourguet (who also has a good voice), Chico Bouchiki and Tanne Farre along with a solid back line (including tonight, Georges Reyes, son of Gipsy Kings lead singer Nicolas Reyes, on bass) complete the group. You can't not like them. The energy, the look, the music.
 

Stand-out in the group is Mounin, former lead singer of the group Los Reyes, who is a master showman and a star in the making.   He has the entire package: a classic Gitan voice with incredible power, uncontainable passion, total charisma, dance moves, and  “THE LOOK”. The crowd loves him. The Gypsies love him too.
 

The evening passed quickly with the groups taking turns performing. It was a musical 3-ring circus!!! Difficult to know where to look next. The sound was good and the lighting dramatic on the backdrop of the ruins.
 

Chico introduced the star of the evening,  Manitas de Plata. He received a huge standing ovation from the crowd. They loved him! He performed 3 numbers and showed he still has hands of silver. The crowd adored him and sang Happy Birthday 3 or 4 different times over the course of the evening. 
 

Thanks Chico and the Gypsies! Thanks Ruedi!! and Bonne Anniversaire Manitas!


Reporting for Gypsy Soul.FM   Cathy Woolsey