Charles Ray "Gypsy" Mitchell, a longstanding session player in the Austin Texas music scene, has finally stepped into the spotlight in his seventies. Renowned for his time with the iconic Funk band, The Relatives, Gypsy is now making his solo mark. His recent EP, "Magic Wheel," dropped last December, featuring the infectious single "Movin' (Down The Highway," and the anticipation for his upcoming album grew with the release of the new single, "I'm Still Standing," just last week.
As the audience buzzed with excitement, the stage burst into life with a lively overture led by the exceptionally talented band, featuring Matt Strmiska on drums, Scott Nelson on bass, and Zach Ernst on guitar. These seasoned musicians set the stage on fire, foreshadowing the electric performance that was about to unfold. Gypsy Mitchell himself made a grand entrance, exuding Texan funkateer vibes, strutting onto the stage pimped out in a dazzling ensemble, complete with fur coat, sequined jacket and pants, a bedazzled Gibson SG, shiny boots, a hipster fedora and cocaine fingernail. One thing's for sure: the man knows how to make an entrance.
Understandably, there is not much original material that the audience might be familiar with, and consequently every number was really just a preamble for extensive funky jams. With a touch of psychedelia, a dash of gospel and a smidgen of country, Gypsy Mitchell's take on the funk is deeply personal and highly irresistible. His voice is somewhat reminiscent of Bobby Womack while his guitar playing is at once primal, lysergic, rustic, and undeniably sexy, somewhere between Ernie Isley, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Hazel.
A torrid, sweaty night of authentic, rustic funk!
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