There is no question that Michael Schenker is a guitar virtuoso. With an extensive discography with hard rock legends UFO, a founding member of German metal group the Scorpions and a solo career that has garnered a large fan base one would be hard pressed to find a more talented or harder working musician. With his newest studio effort Schenker has teamed up once again with original MSG vocalist and lyricist Gary Barden to create one of his most unique recordings to date.
Gipsy Lady is exactly what the title of the CD proclaims… an acoustic project. There is no distortion, no guitar effect peddles or electric guitars present just plenty of acoustic. Schenker and Barden have created a diverse and fun CD that spans from the flamenco and castanet driven “Dance Lady Gypsy” folkish (grab your beer stein for this one) sounding “Fight For Freedom”, Spanish inspired “El Grande” to pop oriented “Hungry” (this would have been a great power ballad).
Overall, if you are looking for a CD with screaming guitars and loud solos then I would suggest you look elsewhere because there is none of that. Personally I am still out on this one in deciding whether I REALLY like it or if it is just a GOOD CD that is great background music. I suppose I can leave the decision of how good it is to the critics and fans, as for me I’ll let it continue to play in the background and maybe one day it will become a CD that I can REALLY enjoy and appreciate.
Reviewed by Jeff Holton
