Live Review
Eric Gales
Brewbaker's
May 30, 2001
by Shawn T. Wallin
Photography copyright © 2001 by Ray Stiles, all rights reserved.
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1999 KBA Award Winner Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by the Blues Foundation
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I sure was surprised to open the May 30th edition of City Pages only to see that Eric Gales would be playing later that night. Never heard of him? Well, in the pre-Jonny Lang days of blues-rock there lived a sixteen-year-old guitar player named Eric Gales. Critics compared him to Jimi Hendrix, with due respect. Eric is African-American, he plays his guitar left handed, he plays a right handed guitar strung the same way as Hendrix (With the Low E String on the bottom), and he plays with all the fire that Hendrix did. He released his first self-titled CD in 1991. Two years later he released his second CD on the Elektra label titled "Picture of a Thousand Faces." He received a small amount of airplay before fading away from the spotlight. Both CD's feature his older brother Eugene on Bass guitar. In 1996 music became a family affair when he joined forces with Little Jimmy King, Brother number 2, to release "The Gales Brothers - Left Hand Brand" on the House of Blues Label. The CD featured a mixture of originals and strange cover tunes including a version of The Romantics "Talking In Your Sleep." Also covered was a powerful version of the Isley Brother's "Fight The Power." Once again, Eric dropped out of the spotlight. Now he has returned with a vengeance with his forth-major label CD entitled "That's What I Am."
I didn't get the chance to listen to this CD until after the show, so I had no expectations of Eric's performance. Walking on stage, he grabbed his Fender Stratocaster and played a few licks. I looked around the room to make sure that I wasn't the only one picking my jaw up off the floor. The first thought that entered my mind was that this would be the closest to Hendrix that I would ever see. Eric is just hands down the best Jimi Hendrix type player I have ever heard. He started the night off with an "in-your-face" guitar drenched song titled "Handwriting on the Wall." He followed up with the title track to his new CD. Filled with plenty of Hendrix inspired licks and radio friendly sensibility. As the lyrics go… "I am the voice of my generation…" you get the sense that Eric knows what he is talking about. Throughout the night Eric stayed clear of the songs from his previous releases. He showcased many of the tracks from his latest offering. If it is tone you want then Eric has something to lend your ears too. He plays with such fire and intensity that you are left in awe after each solo. You can feel the spirit and soul of Jimi Hendrix in the room. Eric's live performance inspires countless air guitarist to party for the right to fight. His command of the guitar is breathtaking. He is only touring with a three-piece band and the produce a very powerful sound. Eric didn't really cover any of the overdone cover songs to great relief. He did play a cover of "Foxey Lady" which is also on his latest CD. Only after giving into the demands of a shameless reviewer did he play an unforgettable performance of "Machine Gun." Eric gave his band plenty of room to stretch out and strut their stuff. The bassist did a solo so good you could smell the funk. The drummer also had his moments of fame to throw things over the top. Overall this was one of the shows that I will always remember. Eric Gales will be making a return trip to the Cabooze on July 6th, 2001 presented by KQRS and MCA Records.
This review is copyright © 2001 by Shawn T. Wallin, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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