Released as a private pressing in 1968, “Song Of A Gypsy” has grown from an obscure self-released album into one of the most coveted psychedelic records ever made.
Revered by collectors as the “Holy Grail” of psych, original copies now command thousands of dollars—but its legendary status rests not on rarity alone. The music remains as captivating today as it was over half a century ago.
A singular blend of psychedelic rock, Eastern influences and mystical songwriting, “Song Of A Gypsy” weaves floating Arabic melodies, finger cymbals, hand percussion, shimmering fuzz guitar and Damon’s unmistakable, haunting vocals into a deeply spiritual listening experience. Its songs explore love, loss and the search for meaning with a sincerity that continues to amaze.
Behind the music was David del Conte, better known as Damon The Gypsy. After performing around Southern California in the early 1960s, personal struggles led him to abandon the club circuit in search of a different path. Settling in Big Sur, his life took an unexpected turn when an impromptu encounter and jam session with George Harrison and Ravi Shankar inspired the distinctive five-string guitar tuning and Eastern-tinged sound that became the foundation of “Song Of A Gypsy”.
Recorded with guitarist Charlie Carey and a small circle of friends, the album was privately issued on Damon’s own Ankh label in an edition believed to total of a few hundred copies across two sleeve variations (single white cover and black gatefold leather textured). With virtually no promotion or distribution, most copies were simply given to friends and family. Decades later, the record was rediscovered by legendary collectors Veronica Breth and Paul Major, sparking a worldwide cult following.
Its growing reputation eventually led to acclaimed reissues by Shadoks in 1998, Guerssen Records in 2005 and Now-Again in 2010. Damon himself remained humbled by the album’s remarkable journey, calling its success “a mystery” after years of obscurity.
Damon passed away in 2016, but “Song Of A Gypsy” endures as a timeless masterpiece, one of the most extraordinary and original recordings of the psychedelic era.
Original artwork (single white cover variant). Remastered sound with pitch corrected. Insert with liner notes and photos.
