Howe Gelb & A Band Of Gypsies: Alegrias

Howe Gelb & A Band Of Gypsies
Alegrias
Fire Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Howe Gelb joins some gypsies on the culturally unique Alegrias.

Album Review:
Howe Gelb is best known for his band Giant Sand but his solo material always brings something unique to the table and over the past 26 years he has entertained us all with gospel, folk, Americana and rock albums. With that genre spanning talent there is not much left to challenge him except maybe the Spanish style gypsy folk found here on Alegrias. The album was recorded in Spain with a group of Andalucian gypsies and includes the virtuoso guitarist Raimundo Amador (collaborated with Bjork and BB King) and is mixed by the legendary John Parish (PJ Harvey). The most interesting fact about this record is that you would expect more of the cultural sound but instead Alegrias is driven by Gelb's sing-talk vocal overlay. This gives the album a very loose feel to it that actually works by giving the tracks an interesting backdrop but never stealing the show and letting Gelb do his thing. At the conclusion of the record, you may not be totally blown away but Alegrias does leave a lasting impression of Howe Gelb and his multi-talented genre defying self. In the long run, his change of styles probably has hurt his overall appeal but Howe Gelb & A Band Of Gypsies should be a record that you can respect the effort even if it is not a record you return to frequently.

Key Tracks: "Cowboy Boots On Cobble Stone", "The Hangin' Judge", "4 Door Maverick"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Lou Reed
Calexico
Andrew Bird

Giant Sand: Blurry Blue Mountain [Fire Note Review 11/19/10]
Giant Sand: proVISIONS [Fire Note Review 8/28/08]

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Fire Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony