In 2005
Tesla guitarist
Frank Hannon released his first solo album "Guitarz from Marz".
In 2010 his second solo album sees the light of day.
Frank Hannon says: "
Gypsy Highway is an acoustic collection of songs that are very close to my heart. Sort of like autobiographical stories that I wrote and sang completely on my own with acoustic guitar"
This is a solo album in all aspects.
Frank Hannon has written the entire album and also sings and plays all the instruments. When you do a solo album and release it yourself you have 100 percent artistic freedom. On "Into the Now" and "Forever More"
Tesla moved in a harder and modern direction. "Gypsy Highway" is different..Hannon makes use of the artistic freedom by exploring lots of different music styles and instruments.
Don't be scared by the opening track
The Hills of California, which starts with a flute. The instrumentation is superb. The song is acoustic driven, but features electric guitar and
Led Zeppelin mandolin. The main thing that makes this album such a success is the songwriting. The songs are great and well arranged.
Gypsy Highway is acoustic driven.
Frank Hannon tells a story about rolling down the Gypsy Highway and singing old Creedance and Lynyrd Skynyrd songs.
Frank Hannon takes the plunge as a classic folk singer interpreter since Hannon has a story to tell through the music.
A personal favorite is the Beatles sounding
After The Rain. Hannon's vocals are excellent and the change between acoustic and electric guitar adds lots of emotion to Hannon's very own
A Day in the Life. The lyrics deal with the challenges in relationships. The formula with acoustic driven songs and electric leads works also on
Watch Me Fall Again and
the moody
Bullet from a Gun Peace of Mind is a perfect rock song in best Tom Petty/Dan Baird style. The focus is on the song itself and the melody carries the tune.
The happy up-beat
Brand New Shoes features banjo. A neat little acoustic song clocking at two minutes only.
Let's Go Back To Bed is a feel good song.
Get a Groove On sounds like it was taken from
Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy".
Hannon's love for Southern rock comes alive on
Sweet Southern Sound. In 1998
Frank Hannon formed a southern rock band called Moon Dog Mane and this song was featured on their album "Turn it Up" released in 1998.
"Gypsy Highway" has a total playing time of 55 minutes and 43 seconds. "Labor of love" permeates the entire album.
Written by
Michael Thursday, September 30, 2010
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 6.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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