Painted Horse

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy Zoo Crew spinning the killer track "Painted Horse" by Anthony Gomes from his album High Voltage Blues! This song is a wild ride, originally recorded with Gomes’ southern rock/country outfit, New Soul Cowboys, before getting a high-octane makeover for the 2022 release. What makes this version extra special? It features bass legend Billy Sheehan and Korn drummer Ray Luzier, who brought some serious firepower to the studio. Gomes recorded his parts at the iconic Shock City Studios in St. Louis, while Sheehan and Luzier laid down their tracks at Ray’s home studio, creating a live-performance vibe for the music video that’s pure energy. In an interview with My Amp Music, Gomes shared that the song’s inclusion on High Voltage Blues was part of a mission to introduce his rock-infused blues to a broader audience, saying, “Billy and Ray really pushed the way I play guitar, and they added a whole new element, with a little insanity.” The track’s infectious opening riff sets the tone for a raucous, untamed vibe that’s perfect for cranking up on THE ZOO!

Another cool tidbit about "Painted Horse" comes from its role as the album opener, which Blues Rock Review called a “statement opener” that means “business is about to pick up.” The song’s raw power and tight rhythm section showcase Gomes’ vision of blending the soul of B.B. King with the grit of AC/DC, a style he described in a 2023 My Amp Music interview as “high voltage blues in a nutshell.” Fans on Facebook have echoed this, with one commenter on a Sleaze Roxx post calling Gomes’ guitar work “electrifying” and the track a perfect kickoff to the album. The collaboration with Sheehan and Luzier wasn’t just a one-off; they also appear on other tracks like “Born to Ride” and “Rebel Highway,” adding a rock edge that makes "Painted Horse" a standout for Zoo Freaks who love their blues with a side of rebellion.

Now, let’s rewind and dig into how Anthony Gomes became the blues-rock maestro he is today. Born on May 14, 1970, in Toronto, Canada, to a Portuguese father and a French-Canadian mother, Gomes grew up surrounded by music. As a kid, he was hooked on legends like Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Eddie Van Halen, which sparked his lifelong love for the guitar. His bio on anthonygomes.com notes that he started playing in his teens, inspired by the raw emotion of blues and the energy of rock. By 1998, he released his debut album, Blues in Technicolor, and hit the road, touring the U.S. and Canada with a fusion of blues, rock, and soul. Over the years, he’s shared stages with icons like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Robert Plant, earning praise from Guitar World as one of the “30 Best Blues Guitarists in the World Today” in 2019. Gomes’ passion for keeping the blues vibrant led him to found the Music Is the Medicine Foundation in 2010, a nonprofit dedicated to the healing power of music, as highlighted on his Instagram.

Gomes’ journey hasn’t slowed down. Now based in St. Louis, Missouri, he’s released 13 albums, with his 2020 album Containment Blues and 2022’s High Voltage Blues both hitting #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. His relentless drive comes from a belief that blues is “a vibrant and viable music genre,” as he told My Amp Music. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with Gomes, check out his official pages: website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans are also buzzing in the Anthony Gomes Fan Club on Facebook, where you’ll find Zoo Freaks sharing concert stories and love for tracks like "Painted Horse." So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep rockin’ with Anthony Gomes!