Them Belfast Gypsies

The Belfast Gypsies sole album was first issued in Scandinavia by Sonet in 1967. Though the lettering on the sleeve led many to incorrectly think it was an album by Them titled Belfast Gypsies, the name of the group is indeed the Belfast Gypsies (though some of the group had played in Them when Van Morrison was their lead singer), and the album title Them Belfast Gypsies. That clarification out of the way, as for the music itself, producer Kim Fowley gives this rough-hewn R&B a manic, freaky edge on cuts like People, Lets Freak Out, Suicide Song, and Secret Police. The Them-like atmosphere is heightened by singer Jackie McAuley, whos very much a Van Morrison-style vocalist (Glorias Dream is a blatant cop of Gloria), though not in Morrisons league. Still, its quite a solid effort, McAuleys organ pacing the bands brittle rock-R&B, with some decent originals and a diverse assortment of imaginative covers, ranging from Donovan to traditional folk to a tongue-in-cheek classical instrumental. Their tense version of Its All Over Now, Baby Blue is one of the greatest obscure Dylan covers, and the magnificent harmonica on Midnight Train is a highlight. ~ Richie Unterberger