You only need to see Eric Gales live to know he performs with his heart on his sleeve. His latest recording is no different as he pays emotional tribute to his brother Manuel, who went under the name Little Jimmy King.

Release Date: Available Now

Label: Provogue

Format: Digital / Vinyl / CD

STRAIGHT-UP BLUES

“I wanted it to be the ultimate tribute to my late brother, Little Jimmy King, to keep his memory alive and make sure people remember who he was and still is. All of these songs except one are his originals. I wanted to deliver his tunes to the world, through my eyes.”

He goes on to say,

“My brother was a straight-up blues artist.” he says of his well respected brother who amongst his family of 5 guitar playing brothers became musically well respected by contemporary blues maestros like Kingfish and Bonnamassa who make guest appearances along with Buddy Guy who influenced LJK. Joe Bonnamassa also takes a producing credit on this ten track compilation of powerhouse blues. The pace and power is breathless and begins with the ear-blasting rip roaring You Shouldn’t Have Left Me. Anyone fitted with a pacemaker will have it severely challenged from the outset

FOOT-STOMPING

A child prodigy himself, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram puts his musical skates on himself during Rocking Horse Ride which gallops along faster than a Derby winner. There is more foot-stomping blues in Guitar Man, which also originated from 1996 album Left Hand Brand. Whilst most of the guitar on Baby Baby is pure in its delivery some computerish effects open before a brassy jazzy beat dominates .

Joe Bonamassa joins in the fun on Don’t Wanna Go Home with a solo of the highest order. The pace may slacken on Something Inside Of Me but the guitar playing certainly doesn’t, a smoky blues atmosphere created by guitar , keyboards and silky bass runs. It Takes A Whole Lot Of Money is more swingier and danceable with Bonnamassa returning to help out.

GUITAR HERO

There is softer feather light mood adopted for Worried Man but things get sharper and jazzier for Blues Been Good To Me then encouraged by his wife Eric managed to recruit all-time hero of LJK, Buddy Guy , to complete this sensitive tribute to his brother. Somebody has a traditional blues feel at first then with Eric and Buddy trading licks and vocals; the only winner is the listener!

All ten tracks bare Eric’s touch but all are inspired by the expertise of his brother merging Eric’s contemporary playing and LJK’s original masterpieces. The whole concept of the album summed up perfectly by Eric when he says

“I foresaw a great record, but I didn’t foresee it turning out as amazing as this. My brother is there throughout this whole record – and I can’t wait for it to start turning people’s heads…”

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