MONTPELLIER, France, 28 June 2006--  Summer is the time of Festivals in Montpellier.  A series of free concerts was organized by the "Association du Nuits de Sainte-Anne". These concerts were held in the plaza between Saint- Anne's Church and the Music Conservatory. This is in the old Gypsy Quarter where Manitas used to live. The stage was the loading dock of the music school.

Several hindered showed up to see Ricao and his group perform. The crowd was a wonderful mixture of Gitan, French and a lot of obvious travelers. You could hear many languages being spoken. As well as the hundred or so set-out chairs, the cafes surrounding the plaza were also filled and there was a large standing crowd.

It was wonderful evening that passed from dusk to fully dark. Ricao came out solo and played a flamenco instrumental piece. He was then joined by Jino (to his left) and Panu for the rest of the first set which lasted almost an hour. 

The second set brought out the whole group, adding Tony on guitar and vocals, Soein on the keyboards, and Pino on the Congas. Jino's young daughter, Justine, danced to many of the songs. She is very talented, beautiful, and very graceful. She was joined onstage at times by Ricao's daughter and some other young Gitana. Beautiful!!!

It was a treat to hear Ricao with a full band, though the sound system was not totally up to the task of handling his voice. No one really minded and a large part of the crowd danced their way through the set, a pleasing mix of rumba and flamenco songs. Ricao's compass, as always, was extraordinary. The night was filled with music and dance of great heart and it was a very happy audience that eventually headed off when the music was done. 

Merci Ricao and Nuits de Saint-Anne for a very special night! 

Cathy Woolsey, reporting for Gypsy Soul.fm

Group line-up
Ricao - Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Jino - Guitar, Backing Vocals, Tony - Guitar, Backing vocals
Panu - Guitar, Pino - Congas, Soein - Keyboard, Justine - Danser