REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: September 7, 2023

GARY MOORE – After Hours

I think it’s well documented that Gary Moore is without doubt one of the best guitarists of his generation. Though it took him quite sometime to find out just exactly what made him happy. Having been chameleon-like by changing styles almost album by album, it wasn’t until the release of Still Got The Blues in 1990 that Gary truly felt at home. This is the follow up to that album, and was released in ’92. I think it’s safe to say Joe Bonamassa has copied the blueprint of Gary for his own empire.

People forget how good Gary’s voice is and the blues fits it perfectly, it is a fine compliment to his incendiary playing. Having seen him play on the Corridors of Power tour I didn’t think just a few years later he would be rockin’ up with a horn section and female backing singers, but this is still the same Gary just in a different frame. This is my favourite rock album of his, and it’s hard to pick a favourite track as it’s all killer. But, I’m going for the opener Cold Day In Hell, and the duet with BB King Since I Met You Baby. I bet Gary was like a little kid when he got BB to guest on his record.

You are deeply missed Gary and long may your music shine on.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

PLINI – Sunhead

This is the Australian guitarist’s seventh release. Of which, six have been EP’s and only one album. They seem to favour the shorter format and releasing more frequently, as those have all been released since 2011.

Now, I love instrumental albums especially where the guitar is a focus. Plini is from that modern school of playing where drop tuning is the norm to create deep rhythm tracks where the guitar has room to play over the top. Opener Kind is just that, with an excellent choppy fusion groove. Salt+Charcoal is a continuation with the deep and heavy bass groove laying a killer foundation for Plini to lay melodic beauty over the top.

A very smooth jazz piano intro, with a killer bass tone lays at the intro to Flaneur. The tune then opens up with that deep groove, carrying the whole thing along. My favourite track however is the final and title track, Sunhead. A very gentle intro before that deep crushing riff pounds the listener, before we return to melody.

I love Plini and he can do no wrong in my eyes, but I do get how this is not everyone’s taste.

9/10 from The Grooveman.