Blues show – Eric Gales is a real one: Live concert at our US/EU Jazz Blues Festival: Videos, Photos

Eric Gales arrived on the blues scene in the early 1990s, at the tender age of 16. He was hailed as a child prodigy, “the next Jimi Hendrix”, thanks to his raw emotional performances and unique playing style.

Late in his set at our US/EU Jazz Blues Festival on Thursday night in Budapest, Hungary, Eric Gales introduced the real star of the evening: Crown, his teacup poodle. “I got her for my wife last Valentine’s Day,” he said, as the crowd oohed and awed over the adorable dog.

A lot of you came to see what I was going to play,” he told the audience, “but I want you to hear what I have to say.”

Eric Gales has plenty of say, and a lot of life experience to draw on. Crown deals with Gales’s experiences of racism and his struggles with substance abuse and sobriety. This show featured his virtuosic guitar playing, but what made it truly special were the moments of tenderness and vulnerability.

Before he started playing, Gales told the audience his goal was to “make you forget all the crap” and “leave at least one person with inspiration.” He also expressed his love DC, saying, “I’m not too fond of the fucking traffic, but I love this place.” The show started out softly with Gales singing away from his mic on the B.B. King-like “I Pity The Fool,” then moving back to the mic as the band kicked up the intensity a notch.

Over the next 30 years, Gales would release 18 solo albums. Unfortunately, his rise to stardom would be beset by tragedies and substance abuse, as well as a year in jail, in addition to the many unforgiving pitfalls that plague any player’s navigation of the music business.

It’s a packed out show and first up it’s British Blues man Danny Bryant. Danny is one of those truly amazing guitarists that never gets the recognition. Before they got into it Danny tried to sell us his fitness DVD on Betamax, he promised us if we brought it we could have a body like his. They did a brilliant 50 minute set that got the audience well and truly warmed up for the main event. Danny is supporting his new album The Rage to survive available here.

Having kicked up the intensity, Eric and his band followed “I Pity the Fool” with a dazzling instrumental.

“Let’s find out how many people in here know the blues,” Eric said, launching into “You Don’t Know The Blues.” I think I’m pretty familiar with the blues; right now I’m in one of those orthopedic boots and I might need surgery on a tendon. And that’s just the beginning of my problems.

Between songs, Gales thanked the audience for “letting me play through some things,” then played “Layin’ Down Some Blues.” The next song, “My Own Best Friend,” he explained, “calls for you to look in the mirror and find out who’s your best friend.” The set rounded out with “Put It Back,” “Too Close To The Fire,” and “I Want My Crown,” which is about reclaiming his place in the blues-rock scene after the struggles that have sometimes hijacked his career.

Now I have to confess this is the first time I have ever seen Eric Gales but I’ve got to tell you it won’t be the last. This was an evening of incredible music that you just didn’t want to end. The first thing to note is Eric really likes to interact with the audience. Eric takes the time to talk about each and every song and what it means to him, this gives you the audience a real connection to the music. They kicked it all off with a jam, it’s so good when you see a band so in tune with each other they can just play, no script just living in the moment.

Highlights included Smoke Face and his bass, Eric’s wife LaDonna stepping out from the shadows to take lead vocals. Eric said what we were all thinking LaDonna should be making her own records, she was incredible and watching the interaction between husband and wife was moment to remember.

Bio courtesy of Wikipedia: “Gales picked up the guitar at age four In 1985 (age 11), the young Gales began to play at blues competitions with his brother Eugene backing him on bass. Although Gales plays a right-handed guitar “upside-down” (with the bass E string on the bottom), he is not naturally left-handed; he was taught by his brother, who is left-handed, and never second-guessed the untraditional technique.

So how was all this? Well, great, great playing as you might imagine but for me, mixed bag show-wise, and I’ll explain why. First, Gales’ four-piece (bass, percussion, drums, keyboards) band came out. (His wife LaDonna is on percussion.) Then Gales came out sans guitar and proceeded to give a 10-minute talk on how he’d been a desperate junkie for 20 years and had now been clean and sober for six.

Now, having dabbled in overuse of drugs and drunk in my previous life and knowing at least one recovered alcoholic, I am all in favor of people who made it. And it was a nice talk. Unfortunately, every song seemed to be about survival, and then little talks after each song and “Does Portsmouth love the blues?” Yeah, we do. But couldn’t you be a little more like Dylan and just not say anything and just play?

But enough whining. Here’s the opening number, “You Don’t Know the Blues”. I don’t know the name of this tune but it’s some raucous shit. I wish I had kept recording because after they stopped, Gles counted out 1,2,3 and they jumped back into it.

Eric Gales takes his rightful place at the head of the blues-rock table as he announces Crown, his career-defining new album. On the new album, Eric shares his struggles with substance abuse, his hopes about a new era of sobriety and unbridled creativity, and his personal reflections on racism. Five years sober, creatively rejuvenated, and sagely insightful, the songs on Crown are delivered with clarity and feature Eric’s personal experiences and hope for positive change. This is Eric at his most boldly vulnerable, uncompromisingly political, and unflinchingly confident.

“I was endorsed by Fender at one time,” he says. “When my life took a bad left turn, a lot of people had to back away from me and I understand that. I really do. Magneto came into the picture around 2005 or so and have never stopped believing in me, so I feel very close to them.”

Speaking of funny moments, after Gales and his band finished their last song, they left as the Pork Pig “That’s All Folks” music from Looney Tunes played, which was a great way of letting the audience know the show was over and demonstrated the artist’s unique personality and sense of humor. Eric Gales is a real one.