Review: Gary Moore

Irish rocker Gary Moore played to a packed audience at the Engine Shed on Sunday night.

There was a lukewarm reception for supporting artist Otis Taylor, who played a short set of both slow and quick blues finishing with the song Ten Million Slaves from the film Public Enemies, and a wave of his cap. Taylor promised big things though asking the crowd if they had ear plugs “cause it’s gonna be a wild night.”

Just before 9 o’clock the 57 year old Irish rocker appeared on stage, greeted by cheers and the buzz of chatter from the crowd.

Moore’s first solo album was released in 1973 and the diverse crowd showed this. A room full of fans, young and old, eager for a night of blues-rock.

The lights dimmed and the music started, an eclectic mix of new and old tracks. Drums, bass, and the screech of a guitar. An amazing performance of the classic Oh Pretty Woman followed by title track from the new album, Bad For You Baby.

The set continued with a mixed set list of 12-bar blues tracks, such as Mojo Boogie and I’ll Love Your More Than You’ll Ever Know, both from the new album.

Then came the familiar opening to one of Moore’s most popular tracks, Parisienne Walkways. A round of applause from the crowd was followed by an amazing guitar solo intro. The vocals on this song were perfect, far better than any studio material that has been released, and good enough to send a chill down your spine.

Moore and the band finished the set to be inevitably cheered on for an encore, joined by support-act Otis Taylor. The 90s track The Blues is Alright was given a fresh twist from Taylor on the harmonica. At first drowned out by the volume from the rest of the band, he gave an enthralling performance in a harmonica and guitar duel with Moore.

The band left the stage again but, after more chants for yet another encore, Moore returned for one last song. After a bit of improvising there was a yell from the crowd for “Parisienne” and he complied, serving up a twist on the version played earlier in the set. A cheeky pause before the much awaited guitar solo was broken by a cry from the Gibson.

After a thank you to the crowd and a quick “good night and God bless” Moore and the band left the stage and the crowd began to leave. It may not have been a sell out, but the audience certainly enjoyed themselves.