Customer Reviews

Ginseng Woman & Multiplication

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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".

I had the "Ginseng Woman" album on 8-Track...that should tell you something about me, and the album itself! I remember sitting in my room as an aspiring young guitarist, craving every style of guitar playing from Steely Dan & Pink Floyd, to Deep Purple & Clapton. Then I found this guy named Eric Gale. I didn't know much about Eric, but what I did know was that there was something so unique about his playing style.

This collection features some of Eric's best and most memorable work. "Sara Smile" particularly stuck with me through the years. Of course, for you 8-Track afficionados, you won't have any "fade-outs" in the middle of the songs, but even without that, this is one album that is a "must-have!"

This collection will have you reminiscing about zooming around in muscle cars, watching bad action films starring people of all races sporting gigantic afros and grooving to the funky and overproduced CTI records. Just listen to "Ginseng Woman". In all seriousness, this is a classic set with all the classic fusion players that you will no doubt enjoy.

This collection will have you reminiscing about zooming around in muscle cars, watching bad action films starring people off all races sporting gigantic afros and grooving to the funky and overproduced CTI records. Just listen to "Ginseng Woman". In all seriousness, this is a classic set with all the classic fusion players that you will no doubt enjoy.

If you tend to read liner notes you will recognize Eric Gale as a popular session player from the 60s to the 90s, and with good reason. Gale was a virtuoso guitarist whose guitar as vocalist style fit nicely with various music styles. This 2LP disc is a great representation of the too often maligned field of jazz fusion and serves to document Gale's mastery of his instrument. Great value on a great disc.

~ I came to this CD because I enjoyed Eric Gale's straight ahead jazz CD In a Jazz Tradition and because recognized Gale's name as a member of the the band backing up numerous artists performing a variety of types of music. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed with this CD.
~ The CD consists of recordings that were released on two vinyl LPs in 1977 and 1978. The music falls somewhere between light fusion-jazz and instrumental pop/R&B, but does not have a great deal of variety. Gale's solos are technically excellent and funky but lack emotion and are smothered by the heavy-handed arrangements and over-production of Bob James. James obviously geared these recordings for Urban and Adult Contemporary stations and audiences of the late 1970's. The large number of accompanying musicians and singers involved in these recordings is a clear indication of the over-production. I have to wonder how good these recordings would have been in a more stripped-down setting.
~ If you want a CD that will transport you back to the club scene of the late 1970's this CD will do the job. However, it is that dated quality and the over-production that also limits the appeal of this CD.

Ginseng Woman by Eric Gale was the album that started me appreciating modern fusion jazz, back during my college days in the 1970s. This sets off cascades of sweet memories of great and misspent times everytime I listen to it. Many commentors have already said it, Eric Gale was the greatest jazz session guitarist of those years. Sweet, sweet, sophisticated, timeless.

Classic Eric Gale! this cd is full of the talent and unique sound that Eric is fameous for.