Geoff Gibbons Honors Fred Neil with New Single ‘Rollin’ Free’

Geoff Gibbons with John Ellis Rob Becker Jay Buettner - Photo by Shona Ellis
Geoff Gibbons with John Ellis Rob Becker Jay Buettner - Photo by Shona Ellis

By JOHN DALY

When it comes to telling a tale that gets to the heart of the matter, Geoff Gibbons is the expert.

His new song, “Rollin’ Free” is one of those travelling songs that can take a listener out of the deepest doldrums and into a wide open frame of mind.

Gibbons has the intangible folk qualities of a modern-day Fred Neil. His latest single, “Rollin’ Free” is a tip of the hat to Neil’s 1966 classic, “Everybody’s Talkin'” made famous by Harry Nilsson in 1969.

Gibbons Doing the Homework

It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Gibbons’ song winds up in a movie like “Everybody’s Talkin'” did when it was placed in in Midnight Cowboy with Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight.  That’s because Gibbons has had a great career, also placing his songs in TV and the movies.

Gibbons has done his homework when it comes to his prolific songwriting. He’s traveled the world in search of the experiences that are unique and familiar.  His writing expresses the range of human emotion and the highs and lows that go with life’s journey.

Geoff Gibbons and John Ellis - Photo by Shona Ellis
Geoff Gibbons and John Ellis – Photo by Shona Ellis

A Wanderlust and a Home Grown Voice

“Rollin’ Free” is best to be experienced behind the wheel of the car, or on a bike or on a horse, whatever it takes to get the motion going and the feeling of being free — even if it’s just for a little while. Gibbons’ true wanderlust emerges on this track.

What is it about Gibbons’ style that is so well-loved?  The answer is as simple as his melodies and as robust as his scratchy, home-grown voice.  It’s all done in earnest and it’s clear Gibbons loves life and wants to spread the word that, for the most part, life can be spent with the sunny side up.