In the late '90s, friends Eric Gales and Joe Bonamassa were hailed as guitar-slinging young bannermen for the future of blues. Nearly three decades later, they come back together. The nearly ubiquitous Bonamassa makes records as an artist and a producer, runs his own label, and hosts a SirusXM radio program. Despite recording 18 albums for a slew of labels and massive accolades, Gales has seen many ups and downs, including the inside of a prison cell due to a long period of drug addiction. His abilities were never in question, however. In 2019 Bonamassa invited Gales (now sober) to play a blues cruise; their reunion led to him co-producing Crown with Josh Smith. This diverse offering details Gales' struggles and frustrations about America's deeply troubling relationship with race. He wrote or co-wrote 11 of the set's 16 tracks with Bonamassa, Tom Hambridge, country singer James House, Smith, and his vocalist wife, LaDonna Gales.
Bonamassa and Smith instinctively get that Gales' approach to blues is anything but straightforward; it is shot through with funk, R&B, gospel, hard rock, and Hendrix-ian psychedelia. The opener, the autobiographical "Death of Me," is a case in point. It commences as a midtempo rocker, delves into fiery blues-rock, injects a short rap, and delivers fierce dramatic solos framed by honest lyrics about looking back with insight and accountability. Gales' singing voice is better than it's ever been. "The Storm" is an indictment of racism set to greasy Memphis R&B, complete with swinging horns, a bubbling B-3, and a hard-popping rhythm section led by rhythm guitarist JD Simo. The B.B. King influence is evident, but Gales' stinging, overdriven guitar playing takes it to another level. The single "I Want My Crown" offers jagged horns, a soaring chorus of backing singers, and chunky, jazzy guitar vamps that deliver an update of Southern funk. He follows it by crooning the gospel-inflected soul of "Stand Up." While "Survivor" is a transcendent wailing Hendrix-fied psych-blues complete with a soulful backing chorus, "Too Close to the Fire," composed by Bonamassa and Hambridge, is a deep blue ballad with some of the most melodic, emotional playing Gales has committed to tape. Bonamassa also co-wrote the urban blues ballad "Stand Up" and the raucous blue funk of "Put That Back" with Keb' Mo'. Both songs showcase Gales' diverse skills as a guitarist and singer. Their rumbling, steamy cover of James Brown's "Take Me Just as I Am" with LaDonna on lead vocals is a set highlight. The interplay of her massive voice with Gales' wah-wah fills is breathtaking. "Let Me Start with This" is a deeply funky blues that juxtaposes the disparate influences of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Guitar Watson. "My Own Best Friend" commences as a sultry nocturnal blues before morphing into a transcendent gospelized anthem, overflowing with sway. Track for track, Crown is flawless, the most consistent, musically ambitious, and satisfying album Gales has delivered in a long time, if not ever.