3. March 2025
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Gary Moore – How Blue Can You Get

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Gary Moore - How Blue Can You Get

Gary Moore - How Blue Can You Get
4.7

Rating

 4.7/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Gorgeous masterpiece ten years after Gary Moore's death
  • Amazing gentle songs and catching blues rockers

I typically do not feature re-releases and greatest hits albums on Flyctory. Thus, I have been a bit of skeptical when I saw that there will be a new Gary Moore album, some ten years after his death. However, the songs on the album are rare recordings and unreleased songs so far. Thus, I just had to have a listen to the new album by this blues legend. Release date is 30th April 2021.

 

Gary Moore – About The Artist

Robert William Gary Moore was born on 4th April 1952 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is majorly known for his unique blues recordings, but also did metal songs and jazz during his career. Moore was part of two very well-known bands, Skid Row and Thin Lizzy. As a solo artist, he started to release albums in 1978. He initially had rather limited success with that, his 1983 album Victims of the Future was the first one with reasonable chart rankings. In 1986, he had his first number one single with Over The Hills And Far Away in Finland and Norway. The opened Moore’s most successful period, which likely ended with the massive success Still Got the Blues in 1990 and After Hours in 1992. Overall, Gary Moore has so far released 17 solo albums. On 6th February 2011, he died at the age of 58 in Estepona at the Costa del Sol, Spain. The key reason was alcohol abuse.

 

Gary Moore – How Blue Can You Get – Track by Track

Despite the album just includes eight tracks, it lasts 44 minutes.

1. I’m Tore Down

The album starts with a classic, the 1961 I’m Tore Down by Freddie King and Sonny Thompson. The song has been one of the live favorites of Moore, who turns the 2:33 minute original into a six minute epic. That’s just the way we remember this legend. His instrumental play has been so amazing – and this is indeed already a big reason purchasing these songs not only for fans of the genre. Amazing guitar solos.

2. Steppin’ Out

The second song has been originally a Memphis Slim’s recording. The song has a nice drive – nothing feels to be able to stop this amazing instrumental performance.

3. In My Dreams

In My Dreams has been selected as the first single of the album. The starting chords and the mood of this blues ballad has a strong Still Got The Blues to me. Very emotional, very gentle with an excellent vocal performance. My favorite song of the album – I would even recommend to listen to it if you are not into the genre.

4. How Blue Can You Get

The fourth song of the album is another cover. The title track has originally been recorded by B.B. King in 1964.

You’re evil when I’m with you
And you are jealous when we’re apart
Yes, I said you’re evil
You’re so evil when I’m with you, baby
And you are jealous when we’re apart
How blue can you get, baby?
The answer’s is right here in my heart

It is amazing how much atmosphere, how many emotions you can create with a that relatively lean arrangement. Great listen.

5. Looking At Your Picture

Looking At Your Picture is another original. The song has quite a rocking character and does not have the lovely vibe, the catching groove of most other tracks on How Blue Can You Get. The song shows a very different side of Gary Moore’s music – but that also means that it feels to be a bit like a stranger in this group of eight songs.

6. Love Can Make A Fool Of You

When Gary Moore originally released this song in 1982, the drums were very present and it almost felt like a pop track. This posthumous release is much more majestic and connects to his slow blues classics. Nonetheless, the song has its loud and powerful parts. One of these songs which feel to be breathtaking from the very first second.

7. Done Somebody Wrong

The guitars and the drums increase the tempo for the seventh song on the album again. This time, it is a recording showing Moore interpreting a song by Elmore James. While I feel that other instrumental performances on this album are definitely better, Moore is doing a good job on the microphone. To me, the song is still not as striking as other tracks.

8. Living With The Blues

The farewell from How Blue Can You Get is the longest song on the album (7:17 minutes). Another rather slow track, which feels so melancholic, so painful. The guitars feels to cry and you seem to feel the mental pain in very word Moore is singing. This is close to blues perfection, absolutely love it.

 

Gary Moore – How Blue Can You Get – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

 

Gary Moore – How Blue Can You Get – My View

I am sure Gary Moore will enjoy the next weeks, from which place ever he is watching us. People will listen to his songs and will be amazed, just be fascinated by his music. One or two tracks prevent the full 5.0 rating in my point of view. This guy has been so full of talent. He proofs it again, ten years later. Amazing.

 

Blues on Flyctory.com

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