Gypsy - Gypsy (1970) [2003]

Though nothing else on Gypsy's debut album came quite up to the standard of the opening number, the whole album is enjoyable for connoisseurs of jazzy progressive rock. That opening number, "Gypsy Queen," was the band's musical and commercial highlight, an organ-driven and harmony-laden blast of great progressive pop. Elsewhere on this album, the band blends Santana-like guitar and organ riffs with vocals and arrangements reminiscent of early Chicago in their better moments. Much of this is first-rate, and if "Gypsy Queen" weren't on this album, cuts like "The Vision" or "Standing in My Loneliness" would still make it worth having. The ensemble work is so impressive that it's hard to single out a particular player for praise, though James "Owl" Walsh's keyboard playing is particularly inventive. In retrospect, it's hard to believe that this debut didn't make a bigger splash when it was first released. Gypsy's work has held up very well compared to most albums from this era, and is still a delightful listen.