Gary Moore – Living With The Blues
8 tracks
Gary Moore’s career as a guitar player dates all the way back the 1960’s when he first came on the scene. His worked with several noted British rock bands and had a storied solo career that began in 1979. His last released album was in 2010 and he passed away in his sleep in 2011 while on holiday in Spain, leaving us far too soon. This release is a compilation of 8 well known blues songs that are presented as a piece of his legacy as an English blues rocker with a fiery guitar.
Opening the album is the classic “I’m Tore Down.” Moore blues through that in style, blazing on guitar and doing what he does best. He follows with a slick cover of “Steppin’ Out,” a stinging instrumental that rocks. “In My Dreams” has that ethereal feel to it as Moore plays and sings with deep feeling and emotion. The title track is next, gritty and dirty slow blues. He shows he doesn’t have to rock out while playing the blues. In “Looking At Your Picture,” Moore gives us a subdued and slick cover of the cut. “Love Can Make A Fool Of You” follows, with a big intro to grab the listeners attention. Slow and sublime, Moore nails another one. The pace picks up with the Elmore James cu that the Allman Brothers made even more famous “Done Somebody Wrong.” Moore gives it his own branding with his own guitar style and nice vocals. The album concludes with “Living With The Blues” where Moore again does some pretty and cool slow blues. He’s restrained and nearly magical in his approach. The final solo work leaves us in a peaceful state; well done!
This is a great album. It’s great to revisit Gary Moore’s work and this set of well known and revered songs are beautifully played and sung. It’s a super piece of history. My only complaint is that it’s just 8 songs; I guess I always want more. The CD packaging it was sold with was a boxed set, but it only had the lone CD with these tracks and the rest of the box was filled with a pair of coasters, 4 guitar picks, a postcard and a decal. If you are a Moore fan, these tunes will surely tickle your fancy. If you are new to Gary Moore and want to hear what he can do with the blues, then this would be a nice introduction for you!
