The summer of 1969 saw Woodstock, where hippies abounded, love was in the air and the brown acid was not recommended. That year also marked the release of Song of a Gypsy, the debut album from artist, Damon. The record reflected much of the sentiment and culture of the times, namely love, deep emotion and introspection. Then for the next two decades the album faded into obscurity. Resurfacing in the ‘90s, the album became a cult favorite calling not only for its reemerging, but its resurgence. Now re-released on VHD format, the gypsy is singing his song again.
The title track opener sets the trippy tone of the album with Damon’s signature modal, acoustic guitar sound combined with Charlie Casey’s fuzz electric wails and an array of eclectic backing percussion. We are then introduced to album ethos and protagonist’s love interest on “Poor Poor Genie.” The track is archetypical of Damon’s melding of Middle Eastern elements over a Rock & Roll backdrop. As the album progresses, so too does the “story” of Damon and Genie with introspective track titles “Don’t You Feel Me”, “Do You” and “I Feel Your Love.” Song of a Gypsy culminates with “The Road of Life” a backward glance at the album’s journey delivered in a spoken word form reminiscent of Morrison and The Doors.
Spanning forty-plus years, the reemergence of this piece of psychedelic musical history is an opportunity for younger generations to “turn on and tune it” to the mentality of the “Summer of Love.” And despite its age, Damon’s message resounds and still rings true as one of “a reaching out through music to let others know they’re not alone, and there are more of us out there with ‘gypsy souls’ and the same sensitivity towards love and its depth.”
by Chris West
[Rating: 3.5/5]
