Tag: Gary Moore (Page 1 of 2)

The ever chameleon-like Irish guitarist Gary Moore is trying a Celtic approach with this album. He is forever searching for that formula that gives him success and happiness. Of course, he was accused of bandwagon jumping as that whole Celtic sound was big at the time.

This album feels a bit like a bits and pieces record. I’m not sure if that’s due to the different producers on the album or if that’s what Gary was looking for. Over The Hills (which opens up the album) is Gary at his best. A killer melody and hook, and he rips in when appropriate. Wild Frontier has a hint of Thin Lizzy about it and is a very commercial sounding track, plus the solo is short but soooo good.

Take A Little Time is Gary doing power pop and him making sure to get that Celtic influenced line in there to keep the theme going. The Loner is just WOW! The opening reminds me of his Colosseum days and the rest of the song reminds me of what was yet to come. Killer playing! I could have done without the cover of Friday On My Mind as it does nothing for me. Yeah, the solo is cool but… meh!

Strangers In The Darkness reminds of something else but I can’t put my finger on it. It’s an okay ballad that he sings very well and the guitar tone is killer. Thunder Rising again revisits that Lizzy vibe, and is a nice uptempo rocker with a cool melody. The album closes out with Johnny Boy, a traditional Irish arrangement that brings a tear to the eye.

It’s cool to go back and listen to this record after all this time, Gary is missed greatly.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Other than being mixed for sonics, this is as live and raw as it was on that night in 2007 at the London Hippodrome when it was recorded. I’m not sure anyone else could have pulled this off other than Gary, and it’s nice to see him with the salmon pink Strat he used so often in his hard rockin’ days. If you’re a fan of Jimi, Gary, or you just love listening to guitar music then this is a must have.

Gary dose justice to the original rendition of the songs and adds solos that only he can do while keeping in line with the song. There is also an appearance from Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox on Red House and Stone Free just to add to the magic of the occasion. All songs included are songs that Jimi recorded and made famous, except for My Angel which is a loud instrumental in Jimi’s style and written by Gary. I can pick any track as my favourite but I’m going with the amazing version of Angel. What an amazing player Mr. Moore was, and this song showing the quieter side of Jimi is just wonderful.

Great record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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.

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.