Author:Martin Power
Martin Power, an author and biographer from North London, has approached this book from the traditional, chronological standpoint – and has done a very good job of it. The research is extensive and analytical, the writing is concise and empathetic but the thing which makes the book stand out from the norm is that the storytelling rattles along at the pace of one of Gary’s guitar solos.
Gary Moore is such an interesting musician in that he was steeped in the blues, obsessed with Peter Green and Mayall-era Eric Clapton, yet quickly became bored within any structured group which didn’t allow him to fly. It is no coincidence that his greatest success was as a solo artist, playing the blues to a rock audience.
The arrival of the Belfast guitarist in Dublin provides some lovely humour as he hides from his girlfriend’s Catholic landlady when he stays ‘after hours’, and begins his adventures with Brush Shiels, Skid Row and one Philip Lynott. What could possibly go wrong?
The book carries a discography for Gary, including a a section on sessions which he played on for others, and is obviously written from a position of love. It is a terrific introduction to one of the best guitar-players of the past sixty years, while also having enough ‘new information’ to keep the Moore-fans entertained.
Highly recommended.
Length of Read:Medium
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
Still Got The Blues, Blues Alive and Blues for Greeny – albums recorded when Gary was at the peak of his considerable powers.
One thing you’ve learned
Left-handed players who learn to play on a right-handed guitar are invariably brilliant.
Completely agree Niall, he was one of the best, whether in rock, fusion or blues. When I was a callow 14 year old someone gave me a pile of old magazines called “Guitarist” which were very focussed on classical and flamenco with a tough of jazz, but there was a column called “Pop” which is where I usually headed. One edition had a feature on young guitarists who could make it – one was Gary Moore, still in Skid Row then. I clocked the name and a bit later picked up one of his earliest albums second hand which completely blew me away. This was pre-Thin Lizzy so no one had ever heard of him. This is the opening track which still sounds great.
Saw Skid Row in the Walsgrave in Coventry in April 1971 when I was 15.
It was the first gig I ever went to and Gary, Brush and Noel will always occupy a special place in my heart as a result.
I saw Skid Row many, many years ago at Watford Tech College (now Watford campus of University of Hertfordshire). Can’t remember any details as I was invariably out of it on something or other at gigs in those days. Must have been good to still remember that I saw them.
My mate Chris had this LP when we were at school together, and raved about their young guitarist:
It was obvious from the start that here was a chap with chops beyond his years!
I’ve recently been digitising my cassettes of various material I recorded from FM a few years ago.
One such is the Guitar Legends Concert, from Seville for ‘Expo ’92’, that was broadcast on BBC Radio One in five parts over January and February 1992.
The list of spankers performing is reasonably impressive – Cray, Guy, Collins, Benson, Coryell, McLaughlin, Clarke, de Lucia, Manzanera, Richards, McGuinn, Thompson, Satriani, Vai, Walsh and May – but there are obviously many omissions, one of which is Gary. Which seems like a crazy thing.
Anyone know how they chose the performers?
One he did make – the 50th anniversary Fender Strat show
Lack of availability due to touring commitments would seem to be one possible answer
First time I saw Thin Lizzy (and my second ever gig) was at the Glasgow Apollo in 1979 on the Black Rose tour. Gary Moore was filling what was to become the revolving door guitarist slot alongside the ever reliable Scott Gorham. He was incredible that night and a perfect foil for Phil Lynott. I truly believe that line up was poised to take Lizzy to even greater heights however sadly he left the band half way through the US leg of the tour, such a shame.
I never saw them with Gary but I wish I had. I saw then with Snowy White who was great. But I wish I’d seen them with Robbo and Gary too.
Never saw Gary with the band but I did see the version with Robbo a couple of times and then Snowy, and then John Sykes. It was broadly downhill all the way.
Saw Thin Lizzy – the PL, EB and BD line up – in a small club in Athlone, Ireland, in the summer of – iirc – 1971.
The only thing I really remember was how few people were there
In my capacity as Social Sec. I booked Thin Lizzy for an art school hop in 1972. Eric Bell was on lead at that time and as I remember it they were fabulous. Much of their set featured songs from Vagabonds Of The Western World bolstered by a number of Jimi Hendrix Experience covers including a tremendous version of If Six Were Nine.
Lovely blokes too.
Great stuff @pencilsqueezer
Any other tales from way back when?
Yep. I was Social Sec. for my foundation in the arts year and during that time we booked a fair few bands and artists including Ian Carr’s Nucleus, Arthur Brown’s Kingdom Come, Ralph McTell and George Melly and the Feetwarmers amongst others. Some I remember surprisingly clearly others less so. If threads come along that stir memories and if appropriate I’ll no doubt comment assuming I’m still hanging around these here parts.
Looking forward to some fun tales!
I’m so envious of those that saw the Eric Bell line up of Lizzy. I love those early albums. The live recordings from that era on the BBC box set are a great listen.Enjoyed his last couple of solo albums, albeit he’s not the best singer!
They impressed me. I remember them being a very tight combo. Obviously very well rehearsed.
Arthur Brown, eh? I have tickets for him in December. And for, on the same night, via unconcentrating , Billy Strings. Tricky decision, as it isn’t much likely there will be unlimited future tours by the God of Hellfire, but Mr Strings doesn’t cross the ocean too often, either. Who do I choose. (My possible answer comes if I can bag a ticket for Northern Kin festy next June, as Arthur is on there, in June, grim reaper willing…..
I wonder how Arthur’s rather amazing voice is holding out, 20 years (or thereabouts) since I last heard him sing live.
Question answered, by unconcentrating further, I am now in Malmo that night…….
Northern Kin next June it has to be, then, for Mr B.
There’s an “official” bio written by Harry Shapiro which came out at the end of last year. Shapiro is clearly a fan but although official (it has the blessing of Gary’s ex wife Jo Rendle) it does face deal pretty factually with the consequences of his somewhat mercurial temperament and his infidelities. I’ve got a half written review which I’m hoping to finish off in the next few weeks.