American Gypsy introduces itself with about 15 seconds of rumbling instrumental noise, the equivalent of an outsider orchestra tuning, before the opening blues figure of "Oh Berta, Berta" falls down from Tony Furtado's guitar. In those early moments, a new direction is named for Furtado, a bluegrass virtuoso and genre-bending master whose 1997 release, Roll My Blues Away, introduced his perfection of the slide guitar and move away from traditional roots-style composition. Loved by jam band enthusiasts, Furtado's improvisational picking takes the fore in "The Angry Monk," "Hartford," and the funk-tinged "Rising Fog." The epic tradition of "Staggerlee" is continued, with Furtado's steel guitar and multi-guitared pop rendition recalling electric Bob Dylan. "Tinker's Fancy" integrates Celtic melodies for the oddest instrumental moment, combining squeeze box, banjo, and hand percussion. The banjo-led cover of Mike Nesmith's "Some of Shelley's Blues" tones down the album's flashy soloing for a moment of reverie. That said, songs like "Rove Riley Rove" detract from Furtado's charm by proving overly sentimental, hugging the notes a little too long for critical ears. Elsewhere on the album, modern country elements mix with almost ambient warbling guitar, proving Furtado a capable and even-handed stylist. His "gypsy" tendencies have left the hills, taking tales into the big city with modern inflections and a serious mind to bringing out the greatest melodies of all time. ~ Daphne Carr Photographer: Anne Hamersky. Arranger: Tony Furtado. Personnel: Tony Furtado (vocals, acoustic & electric slide guitars, banjo); Gawain Mathews (electric guitar, background vocals); Johnny Connolly (button accordion); Paul McCandles (penny whistle, bass clarinet); John R. Burr (piano, organ); Myron Dove (bass); Tom Brechtlein, Aaron Johnston (drums); Scott Amendola (percussion); Keith Greeninger, Melissa Crabtree (background vocals). Personnel: Tony Furtado (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, banjo); Gawain Mathews (electric guitar, background vocals); Paul McCandless (pennywhistle, bass clarinet); John Burr (piano, organ); Aaron Johnston (drums, background vocals); Tom Brechtlein (drums); Scott Amendola (percussion); Melissa Crabtree, Jenna Mammina, Keith Greeninger (background vocals).
1. Oh Berta, Berta 2. The Angry Monk 3. Some of Shelly's Blues 4. Hartford 5. Rising Fog 6. Staggerlee 7. Bottle of Hope 8. Tinker's Fancy 9. Kentucky Stripmine 10. Rove Riley Rove 11. Promise of a Better Day 12. Staggerlee Reprise