Review: Gary Moore Live – From Baloise Session
Gary Moore Live – From Baloise Session
Format: CD + Blu-ray – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Mascot Label Group
Release: 2025
Text: Martien Koolen
Gary Moore has always been one of my favourite guitarists as his Skid Row work, his solo hard rock albums and his cooperation with Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott were always second to none for sure. Of course, later Gary rewrote the book for blues, and he earned his well-deserved guitar place among the greatest guitar pickers ever!!
‘Live from Baloise Session’ was recorded on November 13, 2008, and on this exceptional performance Gary Moore played eight tracks with almost untouchable skill and blues, giving me goosebumps all over the place right from the opening track Oh, Pretty Woman, till the final song The Blues Is Alright. Gary Moore, who by the way did not play the guitar but attacked it, and his “veteran” backing trio (Pete Rees (bass guitar), Vic Martin (keyboards) and Brian Downey (drums) play like there is no tomorrow. Starting with Orbison’s mid-tempo “hit” Oh Pretty Woman, followed by the up tempo Since I Met You Baby and the rock and roll-like Thirty Days, this gig is on fire right from the start for sure.
The first highlight is the Al Kooper blues ballad I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know; clocking in over more than twelve minutes, Gary Moore’s heartfelt solo here is absolutely stunning! Follow up is the Thin Lizzy classic Don’t Believe The Word, penned by Phil Lynott for the ‘Johnny The Fox’ album (1976) and even tough the song is almost fifty years old it still sounds impressive and surely stands the test of time.
Next up is Gary Moore’s best-known blues ballad, of course being, Still Got The Blues; and Moore’s solos here are again heartfelt and immaculate, especially if you play this track very LOUD!!! The gig ends with a Moore concert staple being Walking By Myself and finally the up tempo The Blues Is Alright, which again highlights Moore’s ferocious playing style.
‘Live From Baloise Session’ is a wonderful guitar album and highlights everything that made Gary Moore the blues “master;” a spectacular late-period live performance by this deathless guitar picker for sure!! Listening tip: Don’t Believe A Word.
Tracks:
01. Oh, Pretty Woman
02. Since I Met You Baby
03. Thirty Days (To Come Back Home)
04. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know
05. Don’t Believe A Word
06. Still Got The Blues
07. Walking By Myself
08. The Blues Is Alright
Website: https://www.gary-moore.com/