In Memory of Gary Moore ~ 1952-2011...Rest in Peace

Lots of guitarists play Les Pauls, but not too many have played Peter Green’s Les Paul. That is part of the mystique left behind by the passing of Gary Moore. Although best known for his three stints with the hard-rocking, Thin Lizzy; Gary Moore was a master of other styles, too – folk, jazz, country, and the blues. As a boy in Ireland, the Beatles and Elvis were his early inspirations. After seeing concerts by Jimi Hendrix and John Mayall, there was no stopping the blues-rock sound that would come to define his playing.

When Gary was only sixteen, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green became his mentor in Dublin. Peter wanted Gary to have his very own 1959 Les Paul Standard, and that axe would come to be the primary guitar throughout Moore’s career. Gary would, of course, play that guitar in 1995 when recording “Blues for Greeny,” a heart-felt homage to his old friend.

Prior to this project, Moore had dived into the blues in a big way. Both Albert King and Albert Collins were guests on “Still Got The Blues,” a commercially successful mix of old standards and original blues. BB King showed up on the follow-up, “After Hours,” and Gary Moore’s spellbinding guitar and blues music was being praised by peers and cherished by the public. The live album “Blues Alive,” showcased what concert-goers were experiencing, and what stay-at-home blues fans were missing Now, to understate the obvious, Gary Moore was a very good guitar player. Aggressive and expressive, he never felt he was a master of technique, but rather, feel. When you are as good as he was, people like Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker let you play in their power trio. (insert comparison to Clapton here.) The pseudo-Cream, better known as BBM, recorded one album before personal conflicts killed the project. That’ll give you the blues, so Moore returned to his roots.

Moore always claimed that he played the blues from a rock standpoint. His fiery style could take each blues lick to another level. That’s why many blues lovers looked forward to releases like “Back To The Blues,” “Power Of The Blues,” “Old, New, Ballads, Blues,” and “Bad For You Baby.” That’s why Def Lepperd’s Vivian Campbell, Whitesnake’s John Sykes, Ozzy Osbourne’s Randy Rhodes and Zakk Wylde, and blues sensation Joe Bonamassa all count him as a vital influence. That is why it’s a damn shame he isn’t around anymore.

So, music and the blues march on. Luckily, Gary Moore left behind a worthy collection of solo releases along with notable contributions to Thin Lizzy, BBM, Colosseum II, and a diverse collection of artists including the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Jim Capaldi, Rod Argent, Ozzy Osbourne, George Harrison, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I wish I could play some Gary Moore right now. Well I can, and will, and so can you. Just type this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6oDdgrbmeE] in your browser and enjoy Mr. Moore (with Albert King). We don’t have Gary any mo(o)re, but we “still got the blues!”

~ Jim Capp