Search - Eric Gale :: Ginseng Woman & Multiplication

Great contemporary jazz guitar

Jeffrey Harris | South San Francisco, CA United States | 07/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Guitarist Eric Gale made his reputation as a session guitarist during the late 60's and 70's for a host of different artists, as well as being a key member of the jazz/funk group Stuff. As part of Sony's Contemporary Masters series, they've put two of Eric Gale's best solo albums together on one CD. "Gingeng Woman" released in 1977 and it's 1978 follow up "Multiplication" were both produced by Bob James and feature excellent support players like Steve Gadd, Ralph McDonald, Grover Washington, Jr., Anthony Jackson, and Richard Tee. Standout tracks from "Ginseng Woman" include "Red Ground", and his cover of Hall & Oates "Sara Smile". "Multiplication's" best cuts include his cover of Lee Ritenour's "Morning Glory" and the traditional "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child". His later work in the 80's and early 90's occasionally matched the peak he reached with these two albums. Sadly he passed away in 1994 and much of his solo output is out of print. But fortunately these two albums are available, and are most definitely worth checking out."

Simply the best.

Anthony Accordino | Massapequa Park, New York United States | 11/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The late Eric Gale is simply the greatest studio session guitarist of his generation. Who didn't he play for during the 60's,70's and 80's? The cd "Ginseng Woman/Multiplication" is a collection of two of his finest Columbia records offerings. Wait till you hear "Mary Don't You Weep" and "Multiplication". Erics guitar talks to the listener through out the entire cd. Anything that he has put out and you are able to find i would grab it! You can here his playing on the Warner release "Blue Horizon" and "The Right Stuff"."

Effortless

Kristofer Carlson | Fort Wayne, IN | 07/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I once saw a Paul Simon concert with Eric Gale on guitar. Eric sat on his stool, calmy and effortlessly throwing off solos. He did some amazing fretwork, the kind that rock musicians make a great show of, and did it with ease. He was the Fred Astaire of the guitar, playing with grace and style, and making it look so easy you were almost fooled into thinking you could do it, too.Gingseng Woman was a favorite of mine. In this album displays not only a mastery of his instrument, but a mastery of melody as well. The first time I heard "Red Ground," I thought it deserved a lyric treatment; the melody is interesting, and the chorus cries out to be sung. But I realized that Eric Gale's guitar is doing all the singing necessary. The low point of the album is the playful "De Rabbit," which I find an unfortunate addition, although perhaps it is just not to my taste.For many years I would look in the record stores for new Eric Gale albums; finding none, I assumed I had obscure musical tastes. It was with great sadness that I learned of his 1994 passing. It is a shame that this peerless guitarist has so little of his recorded output in print. Buy this while you can."