TONDY FURTADO
AND THE AMERICAN GYPSIES
Live Gypsy (Dualtone)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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I recently ran into Tony Furtado performing solo at my local bohemian dispenser of smooth, frothy caffeinated beverages. Sitting down amongst the tie-dyed neighborhood locals, my immediate sense was that a comfortable community performance was paramount. Furtado flashed smiles and, on one occasion, picked up a curious child to break up the long instrumental stretches of his performance. He was modest and endearing, adjusting his set and style to the acoustics of the small space. By the end of his two hours, Furtado had won almost every ear in the audience.

Capturing that performing ethic is Live Gypsy, the newest live album from Tony Furtado and the American Gypsies. While the recording here may be bigger than a small cafe, it possesses vital intimacies, drawing on that warm Grateful Dead down home jam. Romping, stomping good times are the order of "The Ghost of Blind Willie Johnson," an infectious country blues ditty. "Ruben's Train" insinuates itself with a snake charmer's lure as does the sultry strum of "Fat Fry on the Hog Farm." Furtado moves coolly from these acoustic jams to seething electric on "Oh Berta Berta." Regardless of time or tempo, Tony Furtado sounds at home with a guitar in his hands.

The production values on this album are average. The audience is kept very minimal, even in the intermission spaces between songs when a roar is appropriate. On the flip side Furtado's voice fills the mix almost too fully when he is singing. This however leaves an emphasis on the instrumentation, the album's real highlight. Whether it a cafe seat or your living room, there are few more sedate pleasures than hearing Tony Furtado weave his tapestry of song. An album like Live Gypsy is a perfect showcase for his emerging talent.

© 2003 - Erick Mertz