Reviewed by Nigel Harris

The Nashville-based musician described by Mike Rimmer as "a grey bearded motor cycle riding blues preacher" returns to his heavy rock guitar roots after the acoustic blues of his last album, 'Gospel Train Coming'. Inspired by visiting Israel and performing and preaching on the streets of Jerusalem, these 12 tracks include titles such as "Jerusalem In Ruins", "7 Seals" and "End Time Generation". You can see from the CD case exactly where the man they call The Blues Messenger is going with this album! With help from top musicians Mike Brignardello & Sean O B Smith on bass and Greg Morrow and Joe Schobelhoffer on drums Gypsy lays down the law (God's law, that is) in his gravely voice over some of the heaviest, sanctified blues rock I have heard in a long time - plus his signature blues harp on "Pray For Love". Gypsy really can play electric blues guitar - he started performing in 1963 - and I don't think you will hear so many wah-wah guitar solos on any album this side of 1980! However, he's very much a man with a message, a musicianary in the fullest sense. The lyrics are clear and uncompromising - check them out on Gypsy's website, www.gypsycarns.com, where you can also hear this album. I'm not sure if the cheap CDR review copy I received is an advance copy or the real thing, but as an artist who is well known for giving away his CDs as a way of sharing his faith, I wouldn't be surprised if this is it.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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