GipsyKings.net

World TOUR 2007

Albuquerque, New Mexico - August 20
I had never been to Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque before but I really liked the venue. It is outside, very nice stage design, holds 4,264 people according to the LLB itinerary I had. Comfortable seats, nice low humidity desert air, it was maybe 70ish those two evenings and the beautiful 10,000' Sandia mountains as a backdrop with the moon coming up behind them. Every now and then the roaming vendors would be in your way getting beer for someone but it was hard to stay mad at them because they were always dancing and grooving to the music and having so much fun, that you would forgive them.

The Kings started at 8:30 on the dot, very prompt! It was a 90 minute set due to being at a casino (although Los Lonely Boys played a full two hours the next night, even with an opening act, so I don't know why it wasn't enforced then, not that I am complaining). The guys were in good form, the sound was excellent, everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Canut did not do much for any solos, he was complaining that he was having some throat issues inside the casino, which indeed was thick with smoke, but he said outside he was ok, however, I think he only sang solo on one song. As for a set list, sorry, I didn't keep one. I was having so much fun with my daughter, I just enjoyed the show. She told me afterwards that she never really "got" my thing for their music, but after this, she is a die hard fan. She was raised mostly on country western music by her adoptive father, so her musical tastes don't range too far from that, but she totally loved the show and developed a crush on Andre. We tried to find him after the show to get a picture but he was nowhere to be found. I do remember that they played some older songs, Tristessa and an instrumental that escapes me right now. They also played Baila Me, which I don't think I have ever heard live. The crowd was very into the show, looked sold out from what I could tell. I saw a woman who had to be in her late 80's a few rows down from me, she was dancing up a storm. I talked to her after the show briefly and told her she should have been up on stage dancing.

As usual, Volare ended the show and Bamboleo was the encore.

Katie