He was holding back too when they were going back and forth. That's why Eric's boy came out behind him in the middle of it looking like "come on man!"...

None of these two was at his max in this video... Just saying xDxD You should see Bonamassa playing with Black Country Communion, he plays mostly Van Halen/Yngwie Malmsteen type of solos with that band: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/isddgsJyrMXKfKM.html

@@gabrielp9646 agree 100 %

@@gerimayawhyte154 ...you read lips or minds? Bonamassa wasn't "holding back". He was putting in work! He was being pushed to play something besides those "safe as milk" blues/rock cliches he usually plays. I enjoyed hearing him stretch a bit.

Any of you wannabe gitar players take note! This is how it's done!

Joe's are all the best!

@@sandragriffiths9692 yes, JB is the Best in our Solar System

No it isn't. You need to watch more guitar performances....

@@chrisbatson3402 agreed, but still he is within the best out there no doubt about that

Take another listen to others who play.

Lot of Hendrix vibes coming from him.

@@andre.1984 If I hear one more comparison to Hendrix think I will throw up, he is so much more than that. I'm not saying he's better than Hendrix was, just a lot more diverse

@@porkbelly0713 There is a big difference between comparing him with Hendrix and playing him above or below the man, and saying that there were vibes of Hendrix coming from him. I didn't say anything about what he can or cannot do.

Yeah, nice Strat

@@LostPlectrum Not only the strat, but also both players playing. They have both admitted in the past that Eric Johnson had huge influence on their playing. :-)

@@thanosblackfacepapageorge2907 yeah, definitely you can hear that influence, in particular Eric Gales licks remind me of EJ.

Alberto JB plays licks more like in pure EJ style and fashion. But Gales play em’ EJ licks and make it his own. Know the difference. Yes “influence” is still be very pronounce as you say so. Watch them on Hendrix Tour doing “May This Be Love” and it was the best guitar duet (not duel) ive ever seen.

100%. What a timeless sound EJ set...

ralph machio and steve vai...by far the best

@@soofitnsexy lol!

Chris Rocco , Word .

Its music not sport. There is no duel at all.

Not a fender strat! Xotic strat copy!

Or maybe one of joes strata... he usually plays an xotic strat copy?

dezionlion Its a Eric Johnson hallow body fender strat

They both sounded incredible, only thing missing was a Telecaster master.. 😀

Motown Rocker rip to albert collins but we still have greg koch tho 😂

Agreed!

100 % right

Fuckin crazy man! I think sports are similar to music in a way. Higher competition can lift the abilities of both competitors. It brings the best out in both. But then theres an even rarer moment, when both musicians/athletes are in the zone in a meditative-like state. Imo, this is what's happening here. One of the best duels I've ever heard and I'm 44 yrs old and been playing sell over 35 yrs. This is so top shelf shit right here!

💯

I thought they both overplayed and were showing off. Obviously both have monster chops. Wasn’t great for me. I guess that’s what the audience wanted. If I had that ability I probably would be showing off all the time.

absolutely

They are both extremely talented guitarists. However, Eric is just a bit above and beyond Joe. His ear for the blues is just incredible. Add to that the fact that Eric plays a right-handed guitar upside down and left-handed... and then there’s no comparison.

Bill Greene joe’s a beast... Eric Gales... whole nother level!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤦🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️😭🤬🎸💪🏾🤘🏾🔥🔥👍🏾👊🏾🤯

Rockarollr joe even said in insta best guitarist right now.

@@Rockarollr I love em both, definitely wouldn't think in terms of who was better... I mean that might have been the best tradeoff I've ever seen between two guitar players ! Both of those Dudes are off the scale ! Straight spit'n fiya !!!

I was going to leave a similar post but you covered it. Well done! Joe gets shit for being unoriginal. No one can really crap on his technique, because his chops are as crist and precise as it gets -- that's one of his greatest assets. And to be fair to the criticism, he does periodically drift into generic playing. For example, he'll run the neck repeatedly for no true reason, while his enormous bag of tricks, great emotional, melodic and dynamic playing plays dormant. BUT EVEN THE BEST HAVE OFF NIGHTS!!!! Were humans, even these brilliant guys aren't always playing at 100% of their capability at ever show. That's impossible. Joe is an animal of the highest order and this video demonstrates that CLEARLY. And Gales mix things up well and seems to integrate very interesting and unique techniques more often, simply because his strings are strung upside down -- by nature that will garner a different sounx, which strengthens his signature sound (no one sounds like Eric). But hes not a crisp technician like Joe. Granted, his technique is still great, but I wouldn't say it's one of his strongest assets. Eventhough Gales is a monster he too can become wrapped up in playing in patters, occasionally. But as I said, everyone can be critiqued, but sometimes theres no reason to be critical other than aiming to be an asshole. But its moments like here, when no criticism can be found in either guys player. They both pulled a lot of tricks out of the hat! And if they are being evaluated just to be picked apart then said individual is a prick. This was dueling at its finest! Joe and Eric are LIVING LEGENDS!

Bro, I hear you but besides his gear collection, no one is "jealous" of Joe Bonamassa.

I kind of wonder why joe gets so much hate too? People fawn over John Mayer but can’t seem to give joe any love. The guy knows his stuff and is giving all his idols the love the way you should, but people still can’t give him any love.

I think he gets the hate cuz they know hes just so damn good.

@@user-qr7ee2cp4y ....I can only speak for myself. I don't hate Bonamassa... I just find him kind of trike and born. There is no doubting his technique or skill on the guitar but the claim of unoriginality sticks hard on him everything he plays You've heard someone else play it before maybe not as fast as clean but you heard it before, same with Stevie Ray Vaughan. at the end of the day what the hell do fast and clean have to do with the blues???? Awesome player no doubt but no imagination.

Agreed. Joe just earned my respect going toe to toe with Eric like that... and holding his own for sure. Great footage!

Yea Joe had me like wtf too I knew about EG but JB held his own like fk that

@@86rix Joe can sometimes be really good playing with his (9-piece?) band. But when he has to get real, say with the 3-piece, Black Country Communion, Rock Candy Funk Party or when jamming with a player of the calibre of Eric Gales, that's where he shines. I wish he did it more often.

@@ericjames8233 yea have seen the rock candy stuff you're right! When he's with the big band he's more vocals, but man it's good to see him go for it. EG climbing the ranks too! Whoa

Literally thought the same thing. Eric pushed Joe into territories I haven't seen, or don't usually see during this tune. Sick, sick, sick. These guys gotts do this to each other more often. Love it.

Calling this a "battle" completely misunderstands what this actually is. This is a high-level musical conversation between two outstanding musicians who clearly respect and enjoy each other. It's not a competition; it's a dialogue between colleagues who speak the language of music on a virtuosic artistic level. It's an art, not a sport.

May I throw in there Greg Koch as well?

You forgot Shades- no shades Formal attire- casual wear 😂😂😅😆

Hugo Nongbri LMAO

Very well said...

One of em was classy...

Can you imagine? Those two could create a megaton guitar masterpiece.Record of the year,no joke.Normally I've not been a big fan of JoBo but my man Eric really brought a fire out of him that I've never heard before.They both were team players and the joy they had was evident for all to see and hear.Make that album guys and I'll buy it!

I think you're right. Great call!

Including Christone Ingram

That’s actually a very good comparison because Ralph Macchio couldn’t really play either, I like the upside down brother though at least he’s talking to me and not just running pentatonic licks up and down the neck

I know, i dont wanna be that guy, but that was Steve Vai vs. Steve Vai.

Just1Spark Ry Cooder too!!

@@ryanboshell6124 Yeah it was Ry Cooder vs. Steve Vai until the 'Paganini'-based run at the end. Eugene's Trick Bag. Then it was Vai vs. Vai.

Hello Gorgeous can we be friends? ❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹💋💋💋💕💕

Jelleepit - Eric Clapton seems to be ducking Eric Gales.😂

@@LamarrBaxter Yeah it makes sense to avoid hum if you don't wanna be shown up for the boring bastard he is. resting on ya laurels for the last 40 years.

MrSuperrever Excellant tasty. Joe said it. It don't get any better than this. Wow.

Indeed, superb stuff.

You forget Dimebag who looks cool with camo cargo shorts and chucks 🤘

debatable

Eric don't "look" cool. He IS cool the shorts weren't cool until he put them on!

Correct. They only became cool when Eric put them on. Not a moment before!!!

I can’t dig that hair style though lol

No Hendrix level is upside down, or right side up, didn’t matter! Genius, Eric or joe couldn’t do that without years of practice

Goes to show you just how great Gales really is.

alot more then that going on Im hearing some harmonic gypsy minors and arpeggios etc too!!!!!!

@@soofitnsexy is that what Eric Gales plays? Harmonic Gypsy minor? I've never heard anyone but him play that style. It's hypnotizing.

Lot of harmonic minor by Eric Gales.

Calling this a "battle" completely misunderstands what this actually is. This is a high-level musical conversation between two outstanding musicians who clearly respect and enjoy each other. It's not a competition; it's a dialogue between colleagues who speak the language of music on a virtuosic artistic level. It's an art, not a sport.

LOL!

Sometimes the best things happen when we're over coming obstacles. Its worked for many players. Most can't play what he does right side up.