Photo credit: Dominik Pluess
The ghost of Gary Moore still haunts the blues with spine-tingling intensity on Gary Moore Live—From Baloise Session, a newly unearthed concert recording that captures the Irish guitar legend in blazing form just three years before his death.
Released today across CD/Blu-Ray, vinyl, and digital platforms via Provogue, this electrifying performance from Basel, Switzerland on November 13, 2008 serves as a devastating reminder of what the music world lost when Moore passed away at just 58 years old in 2011.
The centerpiece is Moore’s soul-crushing rendition of “Still Got The Blues” – his only solo track to crack the Billboard Top 100 – where the guitarist closes his eyes so tightly it looks like each note physically hurts to play. Originally from his gold-selling 1990 album of the same name, the song becomes something even more raw and vulnerable in this live setting.
But it’s Moore’s explosive take on Jimmy Rogers’ “Walkin’ By Myself” that truly showcases his unmatched command of the blues. More than just a cover, Moore transforms the classic into a full-throttle demonstration of his blistering technique and deep reverence for the genre’s pioneers. The urgency in his playing is palpable, captured in stunning fidelity that preserves every searing note.
The performance also features Moore switching to a Gibson ES335 for his own “Since I Met You Baby,” a spring-loaded groove from 1992’s After Hours that originally featured B.B. King. Here, Moore breathes new fire into the track, with each note pulled from his Les Paul speaking volumes to a crowd that knew they were witnessing something special.
This wasn’t just another gig for Moore – it was a masterclass in blues guitar from an artist who never lost his edge, even in his later years. The recording stands as proof that while we lost Gary Moore far too soon, his ability to channel pure emotion through six strings remained undimmed until the very end.
Few guitarists have walked the blues path with Moore’s combination of technical ferocity and raw soul. This live recording ensures that his fire continues to burn long after the final note faded away in that Basel concert hall.
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