Through the miracle of overdubbing and the courtesy of guest musicians, Gypsy Soul has managed to create a full band sound on its well-produced studio recordings, but in concert the duo comes down to singer Cilette Swann and guitarist/bassist Roman Morykit, and it probably was a good idea for them to include in their catalog of releases for their own record label, Off the Beaten Track, a CD that would represent their live sound accurately. Here it is, a show recorded at the Rogue Theater in their stomping grounds of Grants Pass, OR. Michael Forney provides percussion, mostly on djembe, and some muted trumpet is provided here and there by Mikey Stevens, but for the most part this is just Swann and Morykit. Even restricted to a single axe at a time, Morykit proves an inventive accompanist, weaving elaborate musical textures with his strings. He is especially adept at the fretless bass, which he wields during a cover of "Summertime." Swann alternates between romantic statements -- sometimes angry ones like "Won't Be Wronged" and the new "Baby's Got Wise," sometimes devoted, such as "Take Me Away" -- and philosophical reflections including the self-questioning "Who" and another new one, "Sandals in the Snow." Her lyrics are less important than the energy and feeling she puts into singing them, and Morykit matches her note for note here before an enthusiastic audience.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo