Alegrias

10th Anniversary of the record that united flamenco with alternative American rock. Luxury collaborations: Raimundo Amador, Fernando Vacas, John Parish and Córdoba musicians Lin Cortés, Añil Fernández and Juan F. Panky. This top re-issue contains a poster, 10 vintage Córdoba postcards and digital download with bonus tracks. Cover artwork is by the artist Julio Romero de Torres.

Ten years have passed since the release of this album and it has not lost its validity. "Alegrías" by Howe Gelb & A Band of Gypsies doesn ́t sound like anything you ́ve heard before. While maintaining the Arizona desert flavor that Howe was working with over the years, his sound takes on new nuances as it merges with flamenco beats. On this album, Howe explores unknown territories halfway between American roots, southern and border rock, and the purest flamenco. As Howe said in many times while he was living in the desert, the only three tapes he listened to in his car were: Tom Waits, Miles Davis and Tomatito. Many years later, an unexpected combination of chance and destiny transported him to the south of Spain, specifically to Córdoba. There, in the newly opened Eureka studios, he found the perfect atmosphere to launch his new project with a friend, Fernando Vacas. The echoes of Tomatito and the passion that Córdoba inspired in Howe Gelb are forces behind the album. Covered by musicians from Córdoba, among Raimundo Amador's regular collaborators such as Lin Cortés (flamenco guitar), Juan Panki (flamenco guitar) or Añil Fernández (cajon) and his classic double bass of Torgue Lund, the album began to take shape in the endless rehearsals. Gelb's voice instantly seduced the Andalusian musicians and after several meetings, the one from Tucson began to write the first lyrics of the album, inspired by the intensity of the sessions.