Title - 'Gary Moore - Live at Montreux 2010' (Eagle)
Artist - Gary Moore
Sadly, 'Gary Moore - Live at Montreux 2010' was to be the very last live performance in the life of the acclaimed guitarist/singer/songwriter. And luckily, for the most part, 'Live At Montreux 2010' brings us a major return-to-rock for the musician who spent (too many) years exploring the blues.
Indeed, it's been suggested that in the last days of his life, Moore, who died on February 6th of this year, was working on a new rock album. Which would explain the wondrous inclusion of three never-before-released songs that he debuted for the Montreux audience.
Anyway, Gary Moore kicks off this CD by asking the audience if they're ready, before launching into the rock opera, and one of my personal favorites, 'Over The Hills And Far Away.' What I LOVE about this live Montreux album is that it captures Moore's rock tracks live. Barely any blues licks and curves to be found, it is pure Moore, pure rock, pure brilliance.
Now, admittedly, even as HUGE a Gary Moore fan as I am, his vocals on this recording are not the best. His guitar work is out of control, spot on, never faltering, but even so, some words are dropped, lyrics are overshadowed by guitars, and some vocals sound cracked. Anyway, moving on and we next get 'Military Man,' a song that literally pounds out the speakers!
On 'Days of Heroes,' one of those aforementioned new never-before-released songs, after introducing it Moore rips another guitar-perfect track for them. Another new cut, 'Where Are You Now' is next, and coupled with an opening guitar sway reminiscent of 'Parisienne Walkways,' the slow song is not bad. Not overly good, as he gets drowned out by the guitars, but not that bad. Continuing the strong, yet subtle guitar-orchestrated operas, we then get a 12 minute 'So Far Away'/'Empty Rooms' blend that gets everyone back into their Moore comfort zone.
Then comes the last of the three new tracks, 'Oh Wild One,' which actually sounds more like an old Thin Lizzy outtake! Which makes sense as Moore was in and out of Lizzy back in the day like a yoyo! The truly great 'Blood of Emeralds' is next with the heavy-on-1980s rock show continuing on with the brilliant 'Out In The Fields.'
With a stage line-up featuring Moore on Vocals and Guitar, Neil Carter on Keyboards and Guitars, Jonathan Noyce on Bass, and Darrin Mooney on Drums, Moore asks the crowd if they are ready to sing tonight before delivering the barnstorming, and easily the best song on this live album, 'Walking By Myself.' An impressive 'Johnny Boy' (a song that first appeared on Wild Frontier) is next, before the CD wraps with a stunning, glorious, lush, ten minute long 'Parisienne Walkways.'
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