Order link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legacy-Gary-Moore/dp/B0090VQYPK/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1349979413&sr=1-7Format: 2 x CD / Cat. No: MCDLX169 / Barcode: 5014797671690
Fact: Gary Moore (1952 – 2011) is widely acknowledged as one of the finest musicians that the British Isles has ever produced. An all round guitar great, he made his mark in the fields of rock, jazz and blues, gracing the line-ups of several highly regarded rock bands; Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II and Skid Row. With an incredibly successful solo career to boot he established himself as a world-class guitarist, with few equals.
This superb 32 track 2 x CD compilation entitled, ‘Legacy’ (released 15th October) via Music Club Deluxe, focuses on his prolific Eighties classic rock and Nineties blues periods, and includes many of his memorable chart hits along with key album tracks, duets, live tracks and rarities. Highlights of this compilation include a stunning live version of Moore’s first solo U.K. top ten hit, the atmospheric ballad, ‘Parisienne Walkways’ (1979) and the memorable chart anthems, ‘Empty Rooms’ (1984), Out In The Fields’ (1985), and ‘Over The Hills And Far Away’ (1986).
Born in Belfast, 1952, Moore first picked up a guitar when he was just eight years old and he would go on to be regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation commanding the respect and admiration of musicians around the world. In a remarkable career he would collaborate with a number of leading artists, including the Beach Boys, Ozzy Osbourne, Andrew Lloyd Webber and George Harrison of The Beatles. He received international recognition for his solo albums and toured throughout Europe and America with the likes of Frank Zappa, the Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead and Canned Heat. He also shared the stage with blues and rock luminaries such as BB King and Albert King.
He began his musical career as a blues guitarist influenced chiefly by Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green and would first record with Dublin rockers Skid Row in 1968, before beginning an on/off relationship with Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy throughout the Seventies. He would go on to record numerous collaborations/solo records across various genres over the years although he will be best remembered during Eighties for his classic rock phase and the Nineties his blues period – the focus for this excellent collection of his work from those periods.
Included here is a rocky version of Free’s ‘Wishing Well’ taken from 1982’s, ‘Corridors Of Power’, ‘Oh Pretty Woman’ and ‘Walking By Myself’ both taken from ‘Still Got The Blues’ (1990) and the hit ballad ‘Empty Rooms’ from 1984’s ‘Victims Of The Future’. The Yardbirds cover ‘Shapes Of Things’ (1984) with Slade’s Noddy Holder on backing vocals also features along with ‘Out In The Fields’ (1985), a hit single, which saw Moore link up again with Lizzy/Skid Row pal Phil Lynott.
Other notable highlights include a live solo recording of ‘Nuclear Attack’ (1981) recorded with ELP bassist Greg Lake, the instrumental ‘The Loner’ (1987), the Easybeats’ ‘Friday On My Mind’ (1987), ‘Wild Frontier’ (1987), ‘Ready For Love’ (1988) and ‘After The War’ (1989). The BB King duet, ‘Since I Met You Baby’ (1992) along with ‘Need Your Love So Bad’ (1995) taken from the album, ‘Blues For Greeny’, both feature, the latter a tribute to early career mentor Peter Green. 1997’s highly autobiographical ‘Dark Days In Paradise’, believed to have been inspired by the end of his marriage is another highlight while ‘Beasts Of Burden’ is a rare single-only out-take from those sessions.
Gary Moore was on holiday in Spain’s Costa del Sol when he was found dead in a hotel room on 6 February 2011. He was 58. He leaves behind a huge hole for many, not just his close family and friends, but guitar fans around the world. His musicianship however lives on in this hugely enjoyable compilation.
We'll be playing some tracks from this great new compilation in our Best Kept Secrets In Conversation" show on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday evening from 7pm. You can tune in on 103.2 FM in the local area or "listen live" worldwide via the internet at www.preston.fm
