Watch Eric Gales and Joe Bonamassa guitar duel in 'I Want My Crown' video
The blues guitarists battle in the boxing ring
by Scott Colothan
Eric Gales vs. Joe Bonamassa
Eric Gales has unleashed his 'I Want My Crown' video which sees him guitar duel with fellow blues maverick Joe Bonamassa in the boxing ring.
Premiered today (21st October), the funk-tinged anthem 'I Want My Crown' is the first taster of Eric Gales' new studio album 'Crown', which is released on 28th January 2022 via Provogue/Mascot Label Group and produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith.
The accompanying 'I Want My Crown' video culminates with Eric Gales and Joe Bonamassa trading guitar solos and blues shreds in a Rocky-like epic bout.
Watch Eric Gales and Joe Bonamassa's 'I Want My Crown' video:
Eric Gales' 'Crown' is described as the sound of Gales 'opening up like never before, sharing his struggles with substance abuse, his hopes about a new era of sobriety and unbridled creativity, and his personal reflections on racism.
'Five years sober, creatively rejuvenated, and sagely insightful, the songs on 'Crown' are delivered with clarity and feature Eric's personal experiences and hope for positive change. This is Eric at his most boldly vulnerable, uncompromisingly political, and unflinchingly confident.'
Commenting on collaborating with Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales said: "There was always a brotherhood with us. When we reconnected, Joe said to me, 'You're a badass guitarist; it's your turn to get your seat at the table to wear your crown.'"
After they jammed together, Eric approached Joe to produce him, as he explains: "We cried when we talked about it, (Joe) said 'you have no idea how long I waited for you, now I am going to do my part to lift you where you're supposed to be.'"
Eric Gales - 'Crown'
'Crown' contains 16 tracks - 13 songs plus 3 instrumental vignettes - that were co-written by Eric, Joe and Josh.
Eric explains that the day before Eric travelled to L.A. to work with Joe and Josh, he heard the news about the George Floyd murder.
"As I began to chat about this to Joe and Josh during preproduction, raw and unnerved emotion came out of me, and Joe furiously scribbled down notes about it all," Eric recalls.
"These songs came from those outpourings. They're about my life, and what's happening in the world right now. When it came time to sing, I had to take breaks between vocals to cry and let it out. I was sharing my experiences as a Black man, and my private struggles. This is me letting the world know what I've been through."
Following the release of 'Crown', Eric Gales heads out on a Planet Rock presents tour in March and April 2022. Tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.
Joe Bonamassa also plays five headline UK shows in April and May, and tickets can also be bought from Planet Rock Tickets.
Eric Gales' 'Crown' track-listing:
01 Death of Me 02 The Storm 03 Had to Dip 04 I Want My Crown (feat. Joe Bonamassa 05 Stand Up 06 Survivor 07 You Don't Know the Blues 08 Rattlin' Change 09 Too Close To The Fire 10 Put That Back 11 Take Me Just As I Am (feat. LaDonna Gales 12 Cupcakin' 13 Let Me Start with This 14 I Found Her 15 My Own Best Friend 16 I Gotta G
