Mick Free first came to my attention about eleven years ago when he was a part part of the original Crown Of Thorns line up, who recorded their absolute classic debut as well as The Black EP and Raw Thorns, which have all  been re-issued many times under many different names. This particular album, 'Gypsy Cowboy', was recorded whilst he was still very much part of that band, featuring, as it does, COT's rhythm section in the shape of drummer Hawk Lopez and bassist Michael Paige and being remixed by none other than Jean Beaviour. Free eventually left COT around the time of Gypsy Cowboy's original release back in 1995 but, if memory serves me right, the album was only ever released in Japan. So here we are in 2005 with a re-issue of Gypsy Cowboy in the UK to go alongside his new solo album 'Experience'.

The album kicks off with 'Intro/Free At Last', which is a big guitar piece, similar to the opening of 'Hike It Up form the debut COT album. Next up is Stockport#27 Interlude Into Purple Or Black, which has a big wahwah affected riff that is very Jimi Hendrix in style and is my personal introduction to Mr. Free’s vocals - and very good they are to. It can also be seen why he was such a good fit in COT, as his voice is very similar in places to that of Jean Beaviour.

Rattlesnake is a big 70’s style rocker with fine harmonica work from Free and could be described as being “STONER friendly”. Fourth track in is 'The Restless Heart', which proves to be  one of my favourites on the album and is an  acoustically driven number, again similar in style to the COT debut, this time specifically 'Standing On The Corner For You' whereas 'Stevie' has a foxy vibe going on and is a cool 70’s style track.

Gypsy Sun is again an acoustic driven number with big drums courtesy of Hawk, till the electric guitar kicks this track up a gear or two and leads it to being  a real highlight of the album, and featuring a big Hammond keyboard solo to boot! 'Ain’t Gonna Be Now' is almost a disco/rock number with its Jimi Hendrix style guitar and Shakedown, as with many other songs here, would have fitted straight on to that debut COT release  and whilst  the guitar and keyboard riffs prove rather good they are somehow is vaguely familiar.

'Heathers Arms' is the big ballad featured on 'Gypsy Cowboy' and opens with a keyboard intro slightly reminiscent of Cinderella, but the guitars kick back in with 'Wave' that features an almost spoken vocal from Free. Wounded knee is a big bluesy number similar in style to Santana’s 'Black Magic Woman' and Waterfall proves to be a more laid-back guitar work out. Finally 'Baker Canyon Boogie' is lap steel/acoustic style jam featuring lots of slide guitar.

With Gypsy Cowboy  Micki Free shows just what it was that he brought to the original Crown of Thorns with that big blues-rock guitar sound, If he left the band to concentrate on this album then it is obvious just why he chose to do so. Now as anybody who is a regular reader of this site may know Jimi Hendrix dos not feature highly in my list of favourite artists, however big kudos to Micki Free for, with Gypsy Cowboy, he has produced a Hendrix influenced record that I can actually listen to and more importantly enjoy....

Let us know your views on 'Gypsy Cowboy'

Track List

Intro/Free At Last
Stockport#27 Interlude Into Purple Or Black
Rattlesnake
The Restless Heart.
Stevie
Gypsy Sun
Ain’t Gonna Be Now.
Shakedown
Heathers Arms.
Wave On
Wounded Knee
Waterfall
Baker Canyon Boogie

Line Up

Micki Free - Guitar lead vocals
David “Hawk” Lopez - Drums
Michael Paige – Bass
Arlan Schierbaum - Keyboards