Gypsy Jazz guitarist Robin Nolan’s new album Gypsy Blue will be released on July 30 via H.O.T. Records Ltd, the record label run by long-time Nolan musical admirer and friend, Dhani Harrison. Following a chance encounter with George Harrison’s former gardener, who introduced Nolan’s music to the Beatles legend, Nolan was invited to play at the Harrison family’s Friar Park estate. The two guitarists hit it off immediately, both sharing a love of the music of Django Reinhardt. Nolan has gone on to become a staple at Friar Park parties over the years and with Dhani’s shared appreciation of Robin’s music it was only natural for Harrison to want to release Nolan’s new album.
Gypsy Blue features twelve songs ranging from the upbeat title track, which opens the album, to the more contemplative jazziness of a song like “Snow”, even tossing in some Spanish flamenco on “Paquito”. The album also features a range of takes on established classics, including Led Zeppelin’s “Rain Song” and Bob Dylan’s “Buckets of Rain”.
