Search - Gary Moore :: Best of the Blues

High-octane blues(-rock)

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 12/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gary Moore?! Isn't he the heavy metal guitar shedder who used to play with Thin Lizzy?

Well, yes, but Irishman Gary Moore also occationally responds to the calling of the blues. He put out his almost-classic almost-pure-blues album "Still Got The Blues" in 1990, and had a big hit in Europe with the title track, but he is still not particularly well known in North America. And that's a shame, really, 'cause Moore, who hails from Van Morrison's hometown of Belfast, is a very talented, versatile guitarist, a good composer, and an even better interpreter of songs.



This 2-disc set is a collection of Moore's high-octane early-90s blues material...it opens with his excellent, fiery cover of Jimmy Rogers' "Walking By Myself", and other highlights include the driving "Moving On", the funky boogie of "Stop Messin' Around", a fine rendition of West side blues king Otis Rush's "All Your Love (I Need Loving)", and of course the well-crafted original "Still Got The Blues For You", which includes an immediately recognizable main single-string riff as well as a fine melody. And the classic "Parisienne Walkways" is here as well, although it is more rock ballad than blues...Moore's bell-clear Gibson Les Paul doesn't need the backing of a string orchestra, but the song itself is too good for little things like that to spoil the mood.



The second disc is actually a 77-minute live album, and a really good one at that.

Opening with a thumping "Caldonia" which features both Albert Collins and Albert King, it duplicates many of the songs on disc one, but it is actually a little bit stronger, providing a more cohesive listen and a little bit more grit as well.

An energetic "You Don't Love Me" is really good, as is "Walking By Myself", a muscular "Still Got The Blues", and a ten-minute "Stormy Monday", again featuring Albert "King" Nelson.



The annotation is poor, but the music is generally good, although 31 tracks are six or eight too many. Diehards will want this set for the live disc, though, and more casual listeners can pick up "Best Of The Blues" instead of buying all of Moore's Virgin albums. There's plenty of good stuff here."

The Best Indeed!

"The Woj" | Downers Grove, IL | 05/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Gary Moore will most likely already own his individual albums, which renders this set pretty much obsolete except for collection purposes. For the unitiated, this album is a must.

Other than Peter Green in the late 60's, no other "white boy blues" guitarist can match Moore's technical prowess and sheer energy; well Johnny Winter does, so lets add "British/UK" to the adjective list.

True this is more of a blues-rock affair, but let's not split hairs. From straight out blues, to boogie, to blues-rock 'n' roll, Moore can do it all. So if you enjoy the music of performers like Savoy Brown, Johnny Winter, Ten Years After, and early Fleetwood Mac you will thoroughly enjoy this album guaranteed. Gary Moore doesn't just "honk" on bobo, he literally blows bobo away!"

Gary moore "best of the blues"

joe donahue | chicago | 04/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gary Moore is a flawless musician that unfortunately has not gotten the recognition he most definitely deserves. This Album like all his work will have you jumping out of your seat. The bonus live CD is priceless. The Albert King, Albert Collins and BB King Duets are unreal. The guitars are screaming!!!!! Probably music's best kept secret besides John Sykes!!!!! BUY IT, BUY IT, BUY IT now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"