[Swamp Thang]

Yeah, I know, there is no more worn-out a music cliche than that age-old comparison of rising or obscure blues guitarists with Mr. James Hendrix. From SRV to Robin Trower, and Randy Hansen, right on up to John Mayer, exceptional blues influenced guitarists have all been measured by the Hendrix yardstick, for better or worse.

But then I stumbled on the works of Eric Gales, and knew right there that Hendrix had not only met his match, but had been truly exceeded by a consummate master of the Fender Strat, whose repertoire of jazz-flavored harmonics adds a whole new dimension to the electric blues - a dimension that Jimi could only have hoped to explore deeper, as he practiced hard in his free time, to expand his own musical vocabulary.

I'll shut the phuck up now with my usual ramblings, and stand back so Mr. Eric Gales can proceed to blow your frigging doors clean off at the hinges, as he takes the listener careening aboard this hell-bound runaway-train of a song called : "Handwriting on the Wall."

For those who may be hearing of Eric Gales for the first time, you are in for a treat, and for those already familiar with the work of this guitar genius, all I can say is that I wish ya'll had told us here earlier.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=offvo49eMSk


If nothing but traditional old-school, dirt-road, down-home delta blues is what you prefer to hear, then kindly feast your ears on this milestone offering called "Freedom from my Demons".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q89KtoJrALg


Ok so you are driving the curves of a mountain road in your dream car, and you want a song to sing along with as you focus on the task at hand, becoming one with the G-forces.

Try this old but still smokin' anthem called "Sign of a Storm".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB5A8E1BRVE


Comments welcome, fellow blues purists.

[MrBungle]

That second link sorta sounded like Stevie Ray Vaughn, other than that, comparing him to Jimi........ is kind of a stretch

[Swamp Thang]

When you have a moment to check out some other youtube videos by Eric Gale, where he brought in those jazz influences to craft some truly sublime melodies, I think his approval rating will go up, even to die-hard Hendrix scholars like yourself Mr. Bungle.

Didn't want to put too many links in my post, or few would check them all. Maybe I ought to calm down a little about this new discovery, and temper my original enthusiasm by at least saying this guy is in a league of his own, even among Jimi's foremost disciples that we've seen over the decades.

[MrBungle]

Don't get me wrong he is certainly a talented guitar player... But Jimi just came onto the scene at a unique time with a unique sound, and it puts him into a league of his own... Just my opinion.

I do like some of the live Eric Gales stuff I saw on youtube,
but replace Jimi? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29UAK_o3Fz4

[Texicwaste666]

Originally Posted by MrBungle

That second link sorta sounded like Stevie Ray Vaughn, other than that, comparing him to Jimi........ is kind of a stretch

I agree, there can only be one.

[Whoscottgreen]

I'm a big fan

[theclearspot]

Eric gales is a brilliant guitarist but that does not make a brilliant artist. Hendrix was a brilliant artist, its that something special which isn't technical but something soulful .its art which touches you at a deep level ..I'm not an artist but I feel its something like that...