From Rock Society Magazine:
The influence of the Shadows and Ventures is evident on the 5th album from 18 year old Zoe, who started to play electric guitar at age 11. The album has 16 instrumental tracks in all including 4 Mason Williams pieces and 3 by mark Knopfler. The title track composed by Williams stands out as a future classic, overshadowing Classical gas which is also covered.
Sailing To Philadelphia captures the Knopfler style, instantly recognisable to anyone with a passing acquaintance with Dire Straits music. The more famous Sultans Of Swing is also covered.
Backing drums, bass, guitars, keys and strings are very much in the background allowing Zoe to show her guitar skill with maximum impact.
Robert Allen
Surprises, excitement and astonishment abound: Melvyn Dover in 'The Beat'.
Here's an album of distinction: first, the title track was composed in 1971 by Mason Williams, the same genius behind the seminal instrumental Classical Gas: second, Zoe's electric guitar playing continues to astound.
No wonder there's a tv programme all about her in the pipeline. No wonder she's not long finished touring the large UK arenas as part of the Young Voices series of concerts. Here was a 17 year old performing to audiences of 20,000.
Mason Williams contributes several original tunes. Gypsy Noodle itself had not previously been released and this recording excites him. According to Mason, Zoe "puts fire into that song". He's quick to admit Zoe's playing his music "better than anyone has ever done before".
Mason's classical guitar work complements Zoe's electric to good effect on Largo Deluxe. An evocative duet which cries out for big screen attention.
Al Steele, Zoe's musical director, contributes compositions released for the first time too. Notable of these is 'He's Goona be With Me'. Listening to his backing on the other tracks confirms his fast emerging talent for arranging.
Zoe even includes one or two surprises, including a gospel tune which she found in America after talking to a DJ in New York. A search nearer home came up with 'Cardiff Bay', which Martyn Joseph played to her at a Fender Club meeting in South wales.
The album pays homage to Knopfler and Nail too. Oh yes, and one of the backing artistes is Charlotte Church's original classical singing coach, Louise Ryan. No actual words here, but a harmonic vocalisation on Canto Alla Vita provides an undercurrent of depth and space.
With Gypsy Noodle, you get 16 quality instrumental tracks, and a lot of Hi-Energy, ample Soothing Calm. Drive to it, wine to it. But do give it a listen.
Melvyn Dover.
Read another Gypsy
Noodle review by Dave Burke, Editor, Pipeline Instrumental Magazine
Autumn 2004
