The album includes six original songs by
John Dawson and three by
Dave Torbert, plus cover versions of country classics "She's No Angel" and "
Long Black Veil".
Donna Jean Godchaux of the
Grateful Dead sings background vocals on two songs, "Whiskey" and "Long Black Veil". One single was released in conjunction with the album — "Groupie" / "She's No Angel".[3][4]
In 2007, Gypsy Cowboy was re-released on the
Wounded Bird Records label, with four bonus tracks. These were live versions of "Groupie", "Sutter's Mill", "Superman", and "She's No Angel". All except "Superman" were from the New Riders' 1974 album Home, Home on the Road.
John Dawson –
rhythm guitar, lead vocals on "Whiskey", "Sutter's Mill", "Death and Destruction", "Linda", "Superman", 1st joint lead vocal on "Long Black Veil", and "Sailin'"