Raoul and the Kings of Spain

[dre30stm]

Tears in my eyes right now!

I saw them in Brazil (October 2011) for the first time, and it was a DREAM.

Roland still has the same AWESOME voice that i heard on the albuns...

He didn't sang Raoul... And for me RATKOS is the best album and Raoul my favorite music.

LOVED to see Roland performing this song.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing!

[vintagegarden]

Roland is a wine connoisseur, which is mad cool IMHO. If he wants to sip on some wine during a show, so be it. At least Roland never did drugs like a lot of rock stars do. But that being said, I don't think Roland sounds drunk at all and I can't believe a so called "fan" wants to rip Roland apart the way they have here in the comments.

I love hearing Roland's comments and quips; he has a unique and interesting way of looking at the world which is another reason why I love his music so much.

[googo151]

I don't know he still sounds amazing to me.

[googo151]

You go Roland! He's the best ever and I've just heard him at the Hammerstein Ball Room and is still amazing and wonderful as ever. So what if he had a drink! We all need a little something to come our nerves from time to time.

[yzzib29]

well I can recognize a cynic when I hear one (C's comments) but to that I would just ask, what is the big deal if he did have some cocktails? He's a grown (adorable) man and doesn't sound any less fabulous. He has no drug or alcohol issues like so many famous stars end up with so if he wants to have some fun w/his audienc & relax, then by golly let the man!!! He's still pure talent at it's best and can howl "Roul" anytime (drunk or not :)

[GraceJones69]

When was this video shot? Thanx! :-)

[aardvarktff]

I wasn't at this show but I beg to differ about the drinking. Roland sounds like he has been drinking - you can hear it in his lack of normally impecable diction and his stronger than normal English accent! It sure didn't effect his performance though. I love the intricate guitar playing between Roland, Curt and Charlton Pettus that you can see and hear in this video.

[shamsky4evr]

he's pretty messed up here lol

[CelesteK]

Okay I will spare those of you who thumbed me down the embarrassment admitting that you don't know what a teetotaler is?

[CelesteK]

I think you people need to reread what I said because nowhere did I mention that Curt was drunk.

I said: "he's a teatotaler" which means that "he doesn't drink."

[squeakyben]

I too think its sweet to see Curt right in there with Roland on a song that apparently held great importance to Roland and his heritage and childhood! It was great to see this!

[earlymtv]

he isnt singing like hes drunk. hes sound good

[CelesteK]

I didn't mean that he couldn't sing but all you have to do is watch how he moves his body. They were playing at a winery. For all we know there could have been alcohol in his drinking cup.

[CelesteK]

Curt was a good sport to play a song that he had no part in creating. I assume the line

"That is why we're

at sixes and sevens

that is why their

marriage isn't well"

was directed at Curt at the time?

[squeakyben]

No I don't think I think he was referring to his mom and Dad!

[marajake]

I always felt the song was a familiar song, kinda like addressing his brothers about his mother and fathers ill fated marriage.

[CelesteK]

That's entirely possible but you know what? I think the only person who could possibly know the answer to that question is Roland.

[CelesteK]

Was Roland drunk when he was playing at this gig? I get the feeling that he was drunk because he seemed to be babbling on and on about his kids growing up. L.O.R.L!

[AmazingCarol]

This show was at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA. I don't know about his drinking, but plenty of wine is available at the show.

[CelesteK]

This was a very entertaining clip.  Have you got anymore footage from this concert?

[CelesteK]

I need a drink. It's nice to play at a winery. Is anyone sober?"?

"NO!"

"Then we'll play the next song."

L.O.R.L.

[CelesteK]

Roland certainly is interesting when he's drunk.

[juuu787]

Yes, I agree. He becomes pretty, pretty cute and hot. XD

[CelesteK]

"It's like doing the best man speech at a wedding after the father's already stolen all of your gags."

L.O.R.L. I suppose everyone in the audience was drunk too.

[juuu787]

Oh, yeah. Certainly. What about Curt? I guess he was the only one who was not drunk.

[CelesteK]

If you watch Curt in the background you can see that he can still stand up.

I counted 5 guys, 6 if you include Roland, and it looks as if Roland was the only one who was drunk.

The keyboard player, the drummer, the other bassist, and Curt can all still stand up. Roland on the other hand appears to be blitzed.

[swetbabo]

Celeste, cut tthe "drunk" bit. He doesn't seem drunk at all. He is talking to the crowd, being personable and funny. He doesn't sound "blitzed" as you say. He sounds and sings wonderful as usual.

[CelesteK]

What was in that cup that he was drinking out of? It seems like he can't stand still. :)

[IdeasAsOpiates]

Not sure what your fixation is on this, but he most definitely is not drunk...and there are few people I know that alcohol 'amps up'. to the point they can't stand still..

I was at this concert - it was refreshing to have this much chatter between the songs, as normally its a few words, an inside joke perhaps, then next song...

He was NOT drunk on stage - nor was anyone else.

[CelesteK]

Okay I believe it. :)

[Butterflyneverlands]

You say a lot stupid things

[CelesteK]

I say a lot of stupid things? Listen to who's commenting on a comment that I made two months ago?

And furthermore I haven't made any comments on this video in those two months.

[RJODLQ]

I am with you all the way. She has some issues I noticed.

[CelesteK]

I think Curt is a tea totaler; which means that he doesn't drink. Roland, on the other hand, looks like he's loaded no question about it.

[juuu787]

L.O.R.L . Yeah. That's funny, because I guess this's one of the many difference between them and they get on well with each other. That's nice.

[CelesteK]

Curt was a really good sport to play Raoul with Roland even though he didn't have a hand in creating this song.

I think it takes a lot of guts to play songs that you don't have a hand in creating.

[juuu787]

P.S - When their parents went in separate ways, Roland, his brothers and his mother moved to Bath (where he has known Curt, coz Curt was born in Bath).

[CelesteK]

Can anybody tell me exactly what happened between Roland and his father?

[juuu787]

This is a long tale... But actually Roland has never got on well with his father, Georges. I had read that his father was always busy and his mother too. But his father was always complaining and shouting at Roland. They were in 3 children - Roland was the mid child. When his dad discovered that Roland was interested in music, he went crazy, coz he had said that Roland had a bad voice and wasn't talented to be a musician...

[juuu787]

Moreover, when Roland was a teen, their parents went in separate ways and Roland started to write letters to his dad. But when his dad discovered that Roland was sleeping with his girlfriend, he became furious (his dad) and since then Roland hadn't talked to his dad anymore.(don't know if his dad's alive). I had also read that his dad couldn't watch him on TV (when he was singing live) coz his voice was horrible. (According to a brazilian site).

[CelesteK]

Oh so is that why he wrote Raoul and the Kings of Spain? To let his son know that he'll never be too busy to be a dad.

[juuu787]

I'm not sure about it...but I believe that this song may have something to do with Roland's issues and etc. Maybe there's another reason too...

[CelesteK]

Oh I-C.  Daddy was abusive and didn't want son to persue something that he was passionate about.

[Mastersheer]

What site is that please? Is it in English?

[juuu787]

Uhnm...No. The site in which I have the information is in Portuguese. =/

[Mastersheer]

Thanks for replying!!! Hey maybe I can take a look at this website, anyway. Mind giving it to me... us?

[juuu787]

No, I don't mind. But it is in Portuguese, that's all. If you understand, then okay. =) I can send you the link on your page.

[Mastersheer]

If there are good pictures on the site LOL

[megstrebe]

I was there!! On the other side. I just love Roland's voice! I was glad to hear that song, one of my favorites. Yes, tour again in 2009....please!

[marajake]

He sounds awesome!!!!!

[TearsForFearsFan]

From my favorite Tears For Fears album! Awesome performance!!!

[tffforever]

Fantastic version. I was also touched to see Curt playing together with Roland. Roland sounds fantastic, plus this is one of my favorite TFF songs! I saw him live in 1995 MORE! Come on, guys, tour just a bit! Or another album, pretty please? You have very loyal, dedicated fans who appreciate your music and you.

[swetbabo]

Wow, Roland's "Raoul" sounds almost the same as when this first came out years ago. Thanks for this great video.

[ajittffcure]

Good to see Curt playing this song along with Roland. Actually this song was made at a time when Roland was at "sixes and sevens" with Curt.  However, all that is in the past now. I hope they release a brand new album. It has been nearly three years since "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending".

[kaiwa77]

"Is anyone here sober?"..."Nooo!" lmao!

Is that Curt in the background??? Awesome! I was hoping someone would post a live performance of Raoul and the kings of Spain. Been waiting for this, these guys are awesome!

[CelesteK]

Yes that is Curt. Roland's manager tracked him down in Los Angeles from what I understand.

[calixtapolis]

real surprise...thanks!!!