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<\/p>\nTo listeners who have followed his work over the last new decades, it may appear that guitarist Eric Gales has evolved his technique. While quite good for what they are, the pair of albums he released in 2006-7, Crystal Vision<\/i> and The Psychedelic Underground<\/i> are characterized by what detractors might call overplaying. \u201cMy approach has changed,\u201d Gales admits. But he goes on to explain the reasons behind the change.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was on a guitar-oriented label,\u201d he says, \u201cand I was produced by a predominantly guitar-infatuated producer. In my opinion, I wouldn’t have played as much guitar as I did.\u201d But he remains proud of those releases. \u201cI’ve just got a more reserved approach \u2013 lay back and play smooth \u2013 about things now.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Looking back on his career in music so far \u2013 nearly 30 years making albums, and a decade of playing before that \u2013 Gales says that he believes he came into his own with a signature style \u201caround 2000, with the That’s What I Am<\/i> record. But it [happened] in phases,\u201d he says. Gales pinpoints four subsequent albums that for him represent steps forward as a musician: 2010’s Relentless<\/i>, Good for Something<\/i> from 2015, Middle of the Road<\/i> in 2017 and his most recent release.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe it happened again with The Bookends<\/i>,\u201d he says. Released in February 2019, The Bookends<\/i> may be Gales’ most varied outing to date. There’s plenty of fiery, blistering guitar work, but the 45 year old musician seems more comfortable with his abilities, and more focused on song craft that balances the instrumental cutting.<\/p>\n
On The Bookends<\/i>, Gales also focuses on his singing more than he has in the past. \u201cI was surrounded by some very inspirational artists who helped channel that through me,\u201d he says. He credits three individuals: his wife, producer Matt Wallace and Beth Hart, who duets with Gales on The Bookends<\/i>‘ standout track, a cover of the Beatles’ \u201cWith a Little Help From My Friends\u201d by way of Joe Cocker’s arrangement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s been established that I think I can play guitar a little bit,\u201d he says with a smile. \u201cI didn’t want to negate the guitar, but I did want to put a little bit more emphasis on vocal performances.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gales wants the world to know that there’s more to him than what can fit neatly into the \u201cblues guitarist\u201d category. He says that the music he makes today is part of \u201ca larger plan to try to saturate this world with all of the things that I feel, that are in my head and that inspire me.\u201d And he teases that his next album might just expand his musical vision in wider directions.<\/p>\n
Because Gales first established himself within the blues idiom, there’s an inevitable segment of his fan base that expects him to stay inside that box. But some of the tracks on The Bookends<\/i> leave the blues completely behind. The guitarist isn’t overly concerned about alienating his followers, though. \u201cMy fans who know me know to expect the unexpected from me,\u201d he says with a chuckle.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m inspired and influenced by so many different things; The Bookends<\/i> is just a summary of that,\u201d he explains. \u201cAnd that was exactly my point. That\u2019s why I called it The Bookends.<\/i> I\u2019ve tried to touch on everything that I possibly could in a 10 or 11 song project, but [they’re] still part of one package.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another factor that has influenced Eric Gales’ musical journey is his recovery from addiction. He notes that many in music who met untimely ends could be described as tortured souls. \u201cThey spent their life doing what they do to make other people happy, but who poured back into them?\u201d He credits having his wife who loves him as a key in his coming back from the edge.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a very clear head has opened up channels that allow for the raw energy to come through me and pour out into the listener,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd I\u2019m really loving it. I\u2019m never disappointed.\u201d He says that spontaneity is one of the musical results of being clean: \u201cI have no idea what I\u2019m about to do before I do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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