Gypsy’s Kiss – Piece By Piece
(Topillo Records – 2025)
(Genre: Rock)
Firstly, I must apologise for this being late, since August it has been an album that I have returned to again and again, it really does feature some excellent songs. This band have a history that predates Iron Maiden, it is a project that a very young Steve Harris co-founded in 1974.
That in itself is not important, what is important is that Gypsy’s Kiss reformed in 2018 for Burr Fest. Since then, the resurrected band has delivered three albums, this is the first one that has come to my attention: we can thank David Smith for that.
'Piece By Piece' does not try to replicate anything by the iconic Maiden, it is just straight ahead Rock, with a touch of class. If you need a comparison use Wishbone Ash as one: dual guitars, keyboards are at the forefront of the arrangements.
‘War Of The World’ starts proceeding with some great guitar work, it I vital in all aspects, lyrically it deals with the futility of war, (a theme that Gypsy’s Kiss return to on this album.) Specifically, wars which see the loss of a nations independence and identity as they cede territory to survive. It is something we are all too familiar today.
‘Never Say Never Again’ warns against turning a blind eye in the belief that history will not repeat itself. ‘A Soldiers Tale’ is grandiose and epic as it keeps to the albums main theme, it begins and ends with the sound of machine gun fire as the battlefields swallow up human life…
Not all the songs on offer hit the mark but ‘The Entertainer’ definitely does, a gentle acoustic start allows the song to develop before the opening lines are delivered, the lyrics are important as they seem to tell the tale of a man just trying to live his life without fuss, without the necessity of being noticed or under the glare of some media platform. ‘The Watcher’ has a pulsating opening that grabs the attention, the watcher could be anyone that fits your faith.
Moving on to the final song ‘Jack Of All Times’ footsteps echo down the dimly lit alleys as a swirling darkness engulfs the victims, “you’ll never catch me” he taunts us. This album works on so many levels and given time the songs attach themselves to the listener.
The musicianship throughout is first class, The line-up is David Smith (Vocals/Backing Vocals/ Guitars), Jonathan Morley (Guitars/Backing Vocals), Fraser Marr (Guitars), Ross Hunter (Keys/Backing Vocals), Robin Gatcum (Bass) and Stuart Emms (Drums).
I doubt Gypsy’s Kiss are expecting to headline Hammersmith Appollo any time soon, but they will be at a local venue near you soon, I recommend that you catch them live and more importantly give this album a chance. It all comes together ‘Piece By Piece! The Cart and Horses are expecting you.
One last thing, the music within maybe of a very high standard but the sleeve/cover design is very amateurish.
By Paul Mace