If Janis Joplin had joined Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, the result might have sounded remarkably similar to what Eric Gales and Linn Holmes have created with their fiery cover of “Whipping Post.”
Guitar virtuoso Eric Gales is a name that needs no introduction. Named Guitar World’s Best New Talent in 1991, a Billboard blues chart-topper, and a 2022 Grammy nominee, Gales has built a legendary reputation. He’s also a familiar face at Cleopatra Records, most recently teaming up with Doug Pinnick in 2023 to cover Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” Known for his involvement in official Jimi Hendrix tribute tours, Gales has earned praise from music legends like Mick Jagger and Joe Bonamassa—who once called him “one of the best, if not the best, guitar players in the world.”
Now, Gales is lending his extraordinary talents to a collaboration with Swedish-born, Los Angeles-based artist Linn Holmes on her Cleopatra Records debut single—a bold and blues-soaked take on the Allman Brothers’ classic “Whipping Post.”
“He is such a phenomenal guitar player and musician,” says Holmes. “I’ve listened a lot to his previous work. I am beyond honored that he wanted to work with me on this track!”
Holmes, who first encountered “Whipping Post” as a child through the Allman Brothers Band’s legendary 1971 At Fillmore East live album—where the song spans an entire side of vinyl—has long cherished the track. Despite her deep respect for the original, Holmes, alongside Gales and producers Daniel Jakubovic and Rev. Tom Chandler, chose to take the song in a new direction.
They condensed the original 22-minute epic into a searing track under three and a half minutes long—without sacrificing any of its intensity. Holmes’s commanding vocal delivery and Gales’s explosive guitar work bring fresh energy and blues-drenched authenticity to the classic. Even listeners who’ve played the Allmans’ version for over fifty years will find something powerful and new in this interpretation.
“As a massive Allman Brothers fan, recording ‘Whipping Post’—I have never had more fun in the studio,” Holmes shares. “It was a dream to pay tribute to one of my favorite bands of all time and to create our own take on the song. I hope the listeners can feel the pure excitement we had while working on this track. We’re thrilled to share it with you.”
This bold collaboration comes as no surprise to those familiar with Holmes’s career. A seasoned member of the Los Angeles session scene, her soulful and dynamic voice has been featured with the 12-piece retro rock outfit Harry Katz and the Pistachios, the duo Asteron, Canadian metal band Elderoth, and as part of Quiet Riot bassist Chuck Wright’s Ultimate Jam Night all-star lineup.
Holmes’s solo career is rapidly gaining momentum. She’s slated to appear on Fernando Perdomo’s upcoming 2025 tribute to War Babies, Hall & Oates’s iconic rock album. Her contribution is already being hailed as one of the standout vocal performances of the year.
Her 2024 singles, “Cut Me” and the energetic “Baby Blue,” have set the tone for her highly anticipated debut EP, Introducing Linn Holmes. The Source praised the release, saying it “reflects Holmes’ deep appreciation for the rich musical heritage of the past while infusing it with a contemporary flair.”
Now part of the Cleopatra Records roster, Holmes’s official label debut—released alongside a visually arresting music video—is poised to further establish her as one of modern rock’s most compelling new voices.
Fans can catch Linn Holmes live during an acoustic set at the Foundation Room in the Los Angeles House of Blues on Saturday, May 31.
Related Topics
- Global Rhythms Meet Local Passion at the 27th Seoul Drum Festival on Nodeulseom Island
- Adrian Vandenberg Points Out Common Guitar Tone Mistake, Highlights AC/DC’s Unique Sound
- How The Kooks and Hard-Fi Made a Comeback for a New Generation
