CD Review: Gypsy Alibi – Bob Livingston – New Wilderness Records
Chris Harkness
Posted On December 5, 2010
I was both honored and excited when asked to review Bob Livingston’s new CD entitled “Gypsy Alibi”. Bob Livingston was an important part of the Cosmic Cowboy movement which emerged, in Austin Texas, as an alternative to the corporate music Giants of the 1970’s. The Cosmic Cowboy movement combined the Peace and Love aspects of the Hippie with the free spirited and romantic nature of the Hill Country cowboy. The Cosmic Cowboy era had enormous influence on me and in no small part, influenced an entire generation. Bob Livingston’s new CD “Gypsy Alibi” will awaken memories in those fortunate enough to have survived the 70’s as well as sculpting new and equally influential memories in generations to come.
Some artists transcend the mundane with pure Genius – Bob Livingston is one of those artists.
Great songwriters take the mundane aspects of daily human existence and glean from them the stuff that we as music fans live to hear. While listening to Bob Livingston’s latest offering “Gypsy Alibi” I was transported to a simpler time in my youth, recalling memories and emotions I haven’t experienced in years. From the story of Ruby, a little girl showing Bob a shortcut to the sun in “Ruby’s Shoes” to the infectious Rockabilly Groove of “Middle Ages Rockabilly Blues” to the title track “Gypsy Alibi” – there ain’t a runt in the litter. Bob Livingston’s approach to story telling could only be derived from a life rich in experience with close attention paid to aspects often overlooked by most.
Bob Livingston performs Ruby’s Shoes on Honky Tonk Happy Hour
Recorded live at The Hideaway in Houston Texas on August 25, 2010
While authoring most of the tracks on “Gypsy Alibi” Bob does share credit with some other fine artists, such as:
John Hadley, David Gilstrap, Reade Wood, Penelope Davies, Susan Herndon, Buddy Holly, Norman Petty and Bob’s son Tucker Livingston.
“Gypsy Alibi” was produced by Lloyd Maines & Bob Livingston for Texas Music International. (www.texasmusic.org)
“For me, Bob Livingston’s “Gypsy Alibi” is an addition to my music collection that I am proud to own and meeting Bob was an honor that will forever live in my bank of fond memories”
By Chris Harkness for MM55productions
