New Tune - The Gypsy - Gerald Ross

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 9 Apr 2008 7:48 pm

Last weekend at the New York Ukulele Festival I rehearsed this tune with my backup band - Kathy Reitz on Bass and Marv Reitz on Guitar/Clarinet and Joel Eckhaus on Tenor Guitar. We never got around to playing it on stage but it was fun to run through a few times.

I first heard this song on a Louis Armstrong and His All Stars Decca Recording from 1954. An amazing
cut (required listening).

I play my Talsma tenor uke (with the fabulous MI-SI pickup), my 1993 Heritage Johnny Smith archtop
guitar and my 1947 Rickenbacker Bakelite in C6 (CEGACE). Band In A Box - Bass.

All instruments recorded direct - no microphones.

My approach to the steel on this one is more horn-section like as opposed to lead instrument.

Click on the Steel Tunes link at the top of the page
The Gypsy - Gerald Ross

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 9 Apr 2008 9:22 pm

Nice arrangement and blend of instruments and tastefully done.

Aloha,

Don

Tarmo Heikkinen · Post by **Tarmo Heikkinen** » 10 Apr 2008 2:00 am

Sounds real good,relaxed playing.

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 10 Apr 2008 4:38 am

I've always loved that song, and especially the way you play it. I don't know much about ukes but you're by far the best player I've ever heard.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 10 Apr 2008 5:34 am

Gerald.......that was a very tasteful rendition of one of my olde favorites. Your guitar work is something to cry for....and of course, the entire package was truly great. Too bad we aren't neighbors.

Todd Clinesmith · Post by **Todd Clinesmith** » 10 Apr 2008 8:04 am

Very Enjoyable Gerald. You certainly got a knack for them strings.
Todd

Eric Ebner · Post by **Eric Ebner** » 10 Apr 2008 9:32 am

I wish I could do that:)

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 10 Apr 2008 9:54 am

That was very well done Gerald, I enjoyed the listen

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 10 Apr 2008 1:01 pm

After looking at it closer I think that's a great picture. Very arty, would look good enlarged and framed. Where did that color/tone come from, a filter or the lighting in the room?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 10 Apr 2008 2:05 pm

very kool Gerald, thanks for posting.

tp

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 10 Apr 2008 2:25 pm

That was very nice Gerald, exactly what the doctor ordered after a long day of teaching teenage guitar students...

Steinar

Chuck Wilson · Post by **Chuck Wilson** » 10 Apr 2008 4:19 pm

Gerald,

Nice Job.

My Dad has lots of Louis Armstrong (and he always reminded me it was pronounced Lewis) and played it often.

Your playing only gets better.

Chuck

Mark White · Post by **Mark White** » 11 Apr 2008 12:20 am

Thanks Gerald, very tasty

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 19 Apr 2008 9:04 am

My Australian Ukulele friends Bosko and Honey stopped in Ann Arbor this week as part of their 2008 Ukulele Safari. They are touring the world for nine months performing and visiting musical friends. They also played the New York Ukulele Festival.

They spent the night at my house with my family and I. We ate, drank, played music, talked a lot and got better acquainted.

B & H are fearless when it comes to musical repertoire. We played this tune together that night. I've always loved the way they arranged and perform this tune.

Before they left in the morning I asked if they would mind if I recorded a version of it. Of course in their usual friendly and sharing style they said that it would be fine.

I use my Talsma tenor uke recorded directly into ProTools. Band In A Box provides the bass and drums.

This one is for Bosko And Honey - thanks for dusting off the cobwebs in my mind and reviving this great tune for me!

Click on the ukulele tunes link at the top of the page.

Music To Watch Girls By

Mark White · Post by **Mark White** » 19 Apr 2008 9:30 am

I love that little tune

. Nice job!
Was it Nescafe' that used it in their commercials way back when?

Thanks for the link Gerald.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 19 Apr 2008 10:39 pm

Very nice Gerald. "The Gypsy" was also recorded by Bill Kenny and the (original) INK SPOTS back around 1944...one of their BIGGEST hits.

Warren Slavin · Post by **Warren Slavin** » 21 Apr 2008 12:59 pm

Yes Gerald you did a superb job on that one -- it's nice to hear the songs prior to Hip Hop, Rap, CrapRock & Roll, etc. You know what I mean -- selectively some were fair. But what I am getting at is that we need more revival of the that generation of songs. Yes, I recall "The Gypsy" by the "Ink Spots". In the Forties I was in NY City and "The Latin Quarter" (I think) and heard the Ink Spots in person sing that song. Gerald maybe you could work up some songs that the "Mills Bros"
did, like, "Paper Doll", "Are you Lonesome Tonight", etc.

Keep up the good work. Hope you can make Winchester.Warren

The Steel Guitar Forum

New Tune - The Gypsy - Gerald Ross

New Tune - The Gypsy - Gerald Ross

Really, really nice...........

Gerald's Ross's The Gypsy