It is no coincidence that
Eric Gales is listed as providing "guitar and vocals" rather than "vocals and guitar" in the credits of
The Story of My Life. While
Gales is a competent singer, he is an excellent guitarist; what one hears on
The Story of My Life and previous
Gales releases is really singing in service of guitar playing rather than guitar playing in service of singing. Of course, competent doesn't mean weak or bad -- and while
Gales' vocal chops aren't in a class with his guitar chops, he has no problem getting his emotional points across on this 2008 release.
The Story of My Life finds
Gales forming a power trio with bassist Steve Evans and drummer Jeremy Colson; comparisons to the Jimi Hendrix Experience (one of the 1960s' most influential power trios) are inevitable, and there is no getting around the fact that
Hendrix is a huge influence throughout this blues-rock/hard rock/psychedelic rock CD.
Hendrix has always been a major influence on
Gales, and
Gales' singing, guitar playing, and songwriting are all very
Hendrix-minded on hard-rocking tracks like "The Sound of Electric Guitar" and "Save Yourself" (although
Hendrix was a much stronger vocalist than
Gales).
Hendrix, however, isn't
Gales' only influence, and
The Story of My Life also owes something to
Stevie Ray Vaughan,
Cream, and
Robin Trower as well as Chicago blues icons such as
Buddy Guy and
Howlin' Wolf. This derivative outing doesn't break any new ground for
Gales, who was never groundbreaking to begin with. But it is an enjoyable, worthwhile example of what
Gales typically brings to the table: adequate singing, solid songwriting, and killer guitar playing. ~ Alex Henderson