GYPSY / UNLOCK THE GATES

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1973 on RCA records.
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 320kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Jacl Richardson & Jim Mason for Nimbus 9 Productions
Engineered By: Brian Christian, Dennis Smith
Recorded At: RCA Studios, Hollywood, California
TRACK LISTING:
Is That News?
Make Peace With Jesus
One Step Away
Bad Whore (The Machine)
Unlock The Gates
Toin’ It
Need You Baby
Smooth Operator
Don’t Get Mad (Get Even)
Precious One
THE BAND:
James "Owl" Walsh - Vocals, Keyboards
Enrico Rosenbaum - Vocals, Guitars
Bill "Sweet William" Lordan - Drums, Gong
James C. Johnson - Vocals, Lead Guitar
Randy Cates - Bass
WEBSITE:
http://www.midwesttribute.com/history.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_(band
http://www.gypsy-queen.net/
REVIEW:
By Yours Truly
This is the 4th and final album with this line-up of musiciains. There was another album, later on in the 70's that had James Johnson and a bunch of new faces, but I just got never get behind that one.
If you compared this album with the 1st Gyspy release you'd think it was a different band. This is a band that evolved with each release and this last one was no doubt an attempt to get some mainstream attention from a mostly deaf public. It's an album full of short, tight arrangements and there's probably 5 or 6 tunes on here that could've been big hits in the right place and time. Unfortunately for this band, right place and time never seemed to happen.
From the opening measures of Is That News to the last awesome chords of Precious One this album is an example production perfection. It's a real treat to listen to this one at a decent volume thru headphones. Everything is so clear and crisp, so balanced that it's a joy to listen to.
Although I love every song on this one I can tell you that the last two songs alone are worth the time it'll take to download it and get it in your Itunes......Don't Get Mad has a great jazzy groove to it and great vocals with those amazing gypsy harmonies. If I ever had a band I'd do this tune and it'd last for 25 minutes while everyone takes a solo. Then there's Precious One. As the last song on their last album....what a way to go out. To this day this is one of the most awesome arrangements I've ever heard....not sure why it has such an effect on me, but for a 4 minute tune they've packed in a whole album's worth of talent and emotion.
Enjoy.

Tom
CONTACT:

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