"Night Times" American Gypsy Review - September 2007 by Dagwood
This month I decided to venture away from the normal music scene of the hard rock metal that I have loved for decades and still do enjoy listening to. I decided to slow my head banging Saturday night down a few notches. No I am not slowing down my pace maker, I just needed something different this month. This past Saturday, we went to see a one woman musical show known as American Gypsy. When I say "show", that is exactly what I mean! American Gypsy puts on one hell of a show! The stars of this extravaganza are Jodi, with the lead vocals, lead guitar, big smile, big "eyes", (guys you know what I mean here), wearing low cut and short outfits, and in the shadow hides the little appreciated sound guy named Bob. "Hi Bob!" American Gypsy is as much a demanded performer at most, if not all bike rallies around the 5 state area, she has played everywhere from an 8 stool bar in Wisconsin, to great outdoor concerts! Jodi doesn't like standing in one place during her songs. If there is a table to stand on, she will do it. Better hold onto your drinks as she will dance on the bar if there is not enough room for her to roam. I saw her dancing on tables, and she makes the girls of Coyote Ugly look like amateurs. There is nothing better than sitting at your table with a cold beer and having a hot woman dancing on your table! Yeah Baby!!! Picture this, Jodi has one of her short skirts on that makes her look like she has legs up to her chin and she is dancing and singing to you. The best part of this, is you get to keep that money in your pocket for your next beer and drool over the view in front of you. Does a night out get any better than this for under $25?? She looks better than the girls at the stripper bars, and it won't cost $20 for a table dance that will last thirty seconds! For anybody out there who is curious, yes, I did bring Blondie with me. I had to protect myself, as I didn't want to try to explain that I had spent the night with a beautiful blonde at the bar and she danced at my table. This way if I talk about Jodi in my sleep, I am covered with the "get out of jail" free card". American Gypsy sings an array of songs from the 70's up to present. She does many songs that we haven't heard in a long, long time. As soon as she starts a song, you will just smile and say "I remember that one"!! The best part of Jodi's show, besides looking at her, would be the many original songs she plays. My favorite is called "Your Momma Don't Know". It is about a young man who keeps dating beautiful women in his town, only to find out from his Dad that these women are all his sisters and his Momma don't know. At the end of the song is a very good twist that makes everybody paying attention laugh. She sings about "tired of being older than the cop that pulls her over" and "birth control and beer". Every one of her originals, are stories that make you wonder if they were written because of real life experiences. If they are, you really want to get to know Jodi better, but unfortunately, there is Bob hiding in the shadows "Hi Bob! Another good original tells the story Jodi's plans for the future. This song is titled, "When I Grow Up, I Wannna Be A Bitch". Guess she has not reached this plateau in life yet, as Jodi is a long way from being a bitch!!!! You really should buy one or both of her CD's, so you can hear these songs anytime you want to. Audience participation is requested for several songs. Most of the time, it is needed for singing the words. But one song does need Vanna White turning the cue cards. There were more than enough volunteers to help out with the cue cards just to be close to Jodi. American Gypsy spends almost every Friday and Saturday night at her "office". She loves her job, and how many of you can say you love going to your office! Granted, Jodi's office is a different bar every weekend, but still it is an office. Every person in the bar gets special attention, because she doesn't have fun unless you are smiling and enjoying your night out. Jodi was singing one of my favorite songs to us, and I was joking with her. It must have been good, because she started laughing and forgot where she was in the song!! In fact, this happened a few times at other tables as well. Not a problem, Jodi just composes herself and continues on like nothing embarrassing happened. If you have a chance to catch the American Gypsy show, I would strongly advise you do so. There is great music and, you can carry on a conversation with the people next to you. The American Gypsy show is fun entertainment for all ages 21-80, but if you bring your Grandparents with you, cover their ears for a couple of her more provocative songs such as "My Best Friend Is Peter". Let your mind wander on this one and keep supporting our local musical talents. May you all live as long as you want and never want as long as you live!!! Dagwood  ".... there's music (everyone understands music), and then there is music with the ability to touch very deeply, which is an entirely different matter. "Touch" music to me, is the kind that turns the listener into a totally incoherent blithering idiot (short term we always hope!) The kind of music that can easily bring one to tears in quiet moments. Lyric content doesn't have an exclusive on that power. Sometimes we are graced with artists that have "the touch" both musically and lyrically. For me personally, that's a rare occurrence. "In My Life" Lennon/Beatles is a classic example. Others with that power, off the top of my head, include T-Bone Burnette and of course his prettier half, Sam Phillips. Jim Croce had a taste of it, Lucinda Williams has it for sure, Willie Nelson has it, American Gypsy has it. It was certainly my pleasure to fire up that disk today and take a "touch" music detour." Blues/Rock - Singer/Songwriter These tracks take you on a journey from big beat hardcore into an easy lounge style groove then back up again. Runs circles around the others in styling and sheer artistic guts. Sooo Cool - Talent to the MAX What could I possibly say about American Gypsy that has not been written in volumes before me? Absolutely NOTHING. So let's just say that this is one hot number. Her songs and her songwriting are beyond storytelling, they are works of art. She has this unique way of digging down deep into your soul and letting you know that she has been there by leaving you a piece of hers. Outstanding talent. "I just got finished listening through my first pass of the entire 10 song album ["Safe Place]. After each song, I kept saying "OK that's my favorite, that's the best song on the album". You've captured the spirit long missing from today's music and today's songwriters. I felt like I wanted to meet Jodi. I believed in her pain, attitude and passion. In short, I felt. And I like to feel. The professional sound and delivery of her vocals and the production was phenomenal. This album deserves to be heard. I am so impressed. The variety of the songs was equally impressive. At one point I was watching American Gypsy in a bar (in my mind) playing the Irish feeling "Weekness" and the next song I was watching her perform on national television. This album is great. I love the way the songs have such a different feel yet all are undeniably American Gypsy style. Jodi's voice and style remind me of a cross between Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt. In short, this music should be on the radio and American Gypsy should be a household name. I don't usually get this excited about and go on and on about music.... maybe because there's so little really great stuff out there. But you're changing that." American Gypsy... What can I say about Jodi? Part of me is in love with her, and how anyone not be? She is an amazing and passionate performer live. As a person she radiates warmth, with a focused intensity, unlimited generosity, but also has a wild and open sense of humor. Her songs are a reflection of that very essence. At heart she is a storyteller. Like any good folk or blues artists she can take another persons song and seem to make it her own. I have witnessed her performances of the epic "Highwayman" ballad known from Lorrena McKennit on back to Phil Ochs. She can just as easily switch to lively traditional Irish tunes. I have also heard her gentle take on Joni Mitchells "For Free", but it is clear that her favorite cover is Mark Cohns "Walking in Memphis", which to me is so completely her own that I can not even bear to hear to the original anymore. Where she really excels as a storyteller however, is when she is telling her own personal story. I was first drawn to her music by her song "40th floor", which I have learned since was written on the anniversary of her husbands passing. This song never fails to move me to chills and tears - it is the centerpiece of her most personal songs. ?Her other originals, ranging from a blues song about the homeless to the catchy mp3.com feminist hit "June Cleaver", are very much worth hearing in a live setting. "Semper Paratus 2? is a ?tribute to those who protect us all, those who even the Seals & Rangers salute - the men and women of the U. S. Coast Guard.? This piece is quite remarkable in that the only accompaniment to the voice is a repeating note played on a drum. This gives the effect of marching in strict time. To be able to maintain the listeners attention for four minutes with just the voice and a single drumbeat is quite a feat. American Gypsy has a very powerful ?in tune? voice. She articulates very clearly and the story behind the song is good to. Quite a performance. I love your music and think a movie should be made form the song you sing "He Offered His Hand". Your songs have so much meaning. From the 1st bars of "June Cleaver" to the last bars of "Roll the Dice" I was blown out the water. I have until now never hear a song from you. I live in England were music like yours is not played as the stations play hip wots its call, is the main feed. So now I must haul the record shops getting the look of never hear of them . Thank you for 4 songs that blow my mind if you know what I mean . i just wanted to say how much i love your music.. i guess im a brand new fan, i stumbled across safe place while looking for some songs to download.. excellant stuff. im 18 years old and not a fan of the radio.. what you play is definatly quality stuff and should replace that radio garbage!!! rock on. I just thought I would write you an email telling you how much of a fan I am of you. You have some of the greatest music I have ever heard. I have been listening to your music since you first came out. One of my friends was the first person to introduce me to your songs and I have been listening ever since. You are very talented and I hope you keep up the great work. If you don't mind I would love to have an autographed picture of you to hang on my wall. "On the heavier side of folk-rock, this song [June Cleaver] talks of the tough sacrifices we make for love. American Gypsy is an incredible songwriter and sings in the style of Cher and Joan Baez, entertaining twin cities' audiences both as a solo performer and an "in demand" backup singer for some of the area's most popular bands. "The first time I heard this fabulous artist I liked it instantly...and rushed to grab my credit card to buy her CD...Warning--This music just might make you feel the same way---Listen at your own risk !!" "This is a top flight artist. Fred Wheeler from StangeCloud was bragging her up and thought the whole community should give her a listen. Watch out before you click the download button. I was a buyer instantly..... The whole CD is great!! Thanks, Fred, for sending this one our way...... the whole community will really enjoy her mystical-magical-music." |
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