Eric Gales

March 12, 2011 4:30 am
Nelson Onofre

Welcome back my fellow Blues lovers! For my post this week I am featuring some photos of an artist I had been waiting to catch up with for a long time…Eric Gales. I once tried to catch Eric during a Jimi Hendrix tribute show years back but missed out because the show was sold out. I’m not sure what year that was but I don’t remember Eric making any New York appearances after that and when Eric hit the stage at the BB King Blues Club on Feb. 22 he mentioned that he had not played a show in New York in 10 years. I did get to see his brother Manuel, who was better known as Little Jimmy King, in 1994. I first got turned on to Eric while I was stationed in Germany. Eric’s debut album came out in 1991 and an Army buddy of mine who played guitar lent me Eric’s CD. I was blown away by the sound of the trio, particularly Eric’s playing. Eric was joined by brother Eugene Gales on bass and Hubert Crawford Jr. on drums. That debut album was on heavy rotation for me for the longest.

Judging by the size of the crowd at BB King’s I wasn’t the only one waiting for Eric to come back to New York. From the moment Eric and the band hit the stage he made it clear how ecstatic he was to be back playing in New York. Looking at Eric’s face while he talked to the crowd it was easy to tell how sincere he was. During the course of the evening he continued to point out how happy he was to be back and his stage demeanor showed it. Joining Eric on stage that night was David Pastorius on bass and Keith Leblanc on drums. I’m sure the Pastorius name rings a bell with most of you. David is the nephew of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius. The show was billed as a tribute to Jimi Hendrix so Eric and the band ripped through some classic Hendrix tunes as well as some of Eric’s own tunes. Folks, not only did Eric say how happy he was to be back in New York, he played like it. He played with fire and passion and the show lasted 2+ hours. Clearly the guys came to play and the guitar fanatic in me was loving it. The band was joined by guitarist Tomo Fujita for a few songs and Tomo held his own. Eric gave him room to flex his chops and Tomo did just that.

Eric made it clear that he did not want to wait another ten years before playing New York again and the crowd roared its approval. This was clearly a triumphant return for Eric. I wasn’t sure what kind of crowd he was going to get but I can’t say I’m surprised he pulled in a good crowd at BB’s. Like Jimi at the core of Eric’s playing is the Blues. After the show Eric stuck around, signed autographs and posed for photos with fans. I don’t think it’ll be another ten years before New York sees Eric again. It was a long time but it was worth the wait. Like Eric I had a great time. I ended up posting more photos than I normally do because I wanted to show the many faces of Eric Gales and he’s got some great stage presence. Stop by Eric’s website and check tour dates and other goodies. Hey Eric…THANK YOU my man!!! And if you should read this you’ll remember me, while you were getting photographed with a friend of mine I’m the guy that said “hey Eric, Lance Lopez says hello”

I want to thank Lauren Sachs for the guest list/photo pass and for her continued support.

Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
my websites: http://www.electriceyes.us/
http://electriceyesphotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.ericgales.net/