Don’t you just hate it when labels do theses reissues and change the original cover?! I guess they think they can improve on the original, but I wish they would leave them alone.
Just before Moore rejoined Thin Lizzy to record the Black Rose album, this album was recorded, and he roped in Phil Lynott to play bass and to do some vocals. He also called in two of his Colosseum 2 band mates on keys and bass in Don Airey and John Mole, plus Simon Phillips and Brian Downey on drums.
The album explodes into life with the title track which rocks hard, and Gary just rips it up on the guitar. Song For Donna is a great laid back tune with some really nice playing from Gary. What Would You Rather Bee Or A Wasp is next and is a continuation of what he was playing in Colosseum, a great jazz/rock workout with some serious playing. Fanatical Fascists is Gary’s entry into the punk rock arena but done with a hard rock edge. Spanish Guitar closes out Side 1 and is one of three tracks where Phil Lynott gets a song writing credit. Even though Spanish is in the title, it has a very Irish feel and has Moore showing what a great melodic player he is – it’s not all out about scales and runs.
Don’t Believe A Word opens up Side 2, and I know nearly everyone is familiar with this tune, as its a Thin Lizzy classic, but this version is done in a slow blues style and works really well. Again, Gary adds that beautiful melodic solo to proceedings and there’s a killer shuffle at the end. Flight Of The Snow Moose is the second piece that revisits Gary’s short stay in fusion world. I often wonder why he didn’t go back and do another fusion album as he was so good at playing in that style. Next up is Hurricane, and this track just exists so Gary can rip all over it, and that’s exactly what he does. This is what he was so good at, and it kills!!! The song that he was most famous for as a solo artist, Parisienne Walkways, closes out the record. Such a beautiful piece played with so much feeling, and his voice and Phil’s compliment it so well. I have seen him play this so many times and he gave it his all every time I saw him. It’s unreal to think he is no longer with us. RIP Gary you are greatly missed.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
