429/samson

It’s easy to imagine that ace blues, hard rock and fusion guitarist Tommy Bolin might have eventually collaborated with likeminded six-string monsters. Great Gypsy Soul has a roomful of great players jumping aboard outtakes from Bolin’s debut solo album, Teaser. The title track from the album is one of this disc’s highlights, with Warren Haynes’ tangy slide spinning off of the original’s metallic riff and his Allmans bandmate, Derek Trucks, working similar magic on “Smooth Fandango.” Jazz master John Scofield applies his burr-edged axe to “Savannah Woman,” Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford plugs into the hard rocking “Wild Dogs,” Steve Morse adds fusion gusto to “Crazed Fandango” and Joe Bonamassa and Nels Cline bring fascinating new textures to “Lotus.” While not organic, the project serves as a potent reminder of Bolin’s prowess.