Customer Reviews

Ian Moore

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're a fan of the Next Generation of guitar blues, al la Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Chris Duarte, Anthony Gomes, Doyle Bramhall II, Corey Stevens, etc. this is one of the best albums. This is where Ian Moore started, rooted deep in the blues with a lot of rock flare. Moore can play well, but add in his singing and he's definitely a complete musician.

There are a lot of great songs on this album. From the wah-laden rhythms to blazing solos this album has it all. Moore has a good sense of phrasing, and uses his notes to speak his thoughts. Although he can shred at times, his solos are more about quality than quantity. The solo during "How Does It Feel" is a good example. The song is loud and distorted, yet he resorts to steep bends and long vibratos saving the fast finger work until the outro solo, and then he shows his speed only briefly. "Deliver Me" is a great call and response between his voice and guitar with a good rhythm, a beautiful chorus and a pretty killer solo. Other great tunes on this album are "Blue Sky", "Satisfied", and "Carry On."

Another plus for Moore is the fact that he surrounds himself with good musicians as well. Bukka Allen on keys and organ does an incredible job. He knows what he's doing while backing Moore's vocals on "Deliver Me", which also includes a great solo from him as well. On "How Long" he pulls the rhythm accompanying Moore's guitar providing depth to the song. Add in Michael Villegas keeping time and Chris White on the bass and you have a very strong band.

This is definitely a keeper, and anyone who loves rockin' guitar blues will enjoy this album.

LOOK TO THE HEAVENS WHEN I SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH." (Sample lyrics from my favorite song on the cd, "Blue Sky.")

In eleven songs Ian exhibits in a rhythm and bluesy way: Attitude (All the songs! I love his style and charisma,) Frustration (Revelation, How Long & Please God,) Pain (Nothing, Not In Vain & How Does It Feel,) Longing (Blue Sky, Satisfied, Harlem & Deliver Me,) and Encouragement (Carry On.)

Ian is a terrific song writer, guitar player and singer. His songs are not only wonderful to listen to because of their strong melodies and passionate lyrics and vocals, but because Ian shares his life. He is telling a story of his Feelings thus Sharing himself with the listener openly. (There is a lot of pain in his lyrics, obviously because his mother died--the recording is dedicated to her memory.)

OPEN. It is hard to be OPEN. I know all artists are open to some degree, otherwise they couldn't succeed or even be called 'artists.' But there are a few selected ones that delve deep inside their hearts and are able to find, understand and take a Grip on those inner emotions and put them into music/lyrics sharing Boldly, Passionately and OPENLY--NOT HOLDING BACK. THAT is the kind of music I like. If you do too, I highly recommend this to you. A solid 4 star cd.

I saw Ian opening in Starwood Ampitheater. He was so good that I can't recall who played after him (the reason I was there!) That says a lot. I'll never forget his black, shiny hair blowing in the wind and his gorgeous voice resonating up to the stars. Guess what was the first thing I purchased after that show? Yes, this cd. The show was in the early 90's and I still listen to this cd. Enjoy and Soar.

Soaring Heart

This is by far his best CD in My opinion. I saw another review compare him to J Lang and J Bonjovi, but this is really coming from a different place. Not only is it coming from a different place, but it goes to quite a few more places. This is not pop, straight up blues, flat out rock or any one thing. It's just very inspired and inspiring music that is great to sit down and experience. There are many influences that include Rock, Texas Blues, Country and Gospel and from song to song, the order of influence changes front to back. Ian Moore has proven himself to be very diverse on following CDs, but I think he really found the music he was meant to make on this first CD. This was the path I hoped he'd follow. Great.

I had this album on my shelf for years (along with Modernday Folklore) and I just broke them out again; I forgot how good they are. I can't stop playing them right now. He really knows how to break it up by picking up the pace and slowing it down. I bought if for "Blue Sky" which was played on the radio at the time but the others are great, too. "Harlem" is your socially conscious rock tune, but one great piece of music.

I love Ian. We used to go listen to him play out in Austin, Texas. Great CD!

i was first introduced to Ian's music about 4 years ago and I became absolutly hooked. The first song I ever hear of his was "nothing" off his self-titled cd. The rest of the songs that followed were even better. I actually went to a show of his last night and am listening to a CD from another show that I went to back in 2004. He never fails to impress me. my pen name "obsidian-stone" is actually from one of his songs, Cinnamon
"...So your body is blushing
Like blood from a rose.
And it's zipless,
And it's perfect
Like obsidian stone.
From the flesh of the old skin,
To the secrets within,
Here within..."
I urge everyone to check out a live show becuase he talks between numbers and is entertaining without meaning to be. He doesn't need to try. all he needs is his guitar and his voice. his talent does the rest.

Ian Moores selt titled debut, overall, is his best output, and judging by his new found musical style, will remain so. I could'nt honestly understand all the hoo-haa about the SRV guitar similarities. When we are talking about SRV Clones, we are talking about Sunset Heights and Indigenous etc. On this debut, there is not one bit of evidence about ripping off SRV. None of the songs are straight out Blues Songs. They are in fact a mixture of Rock and Soul. Ian has now gone on the trek of leaving behind his guitar hero status and concetrating on his fine song-writing talent and his gifted soulful voice. No weak tracks on this CD at all which cannot be said about any other Ian Moore CD. Ian's Vocalist heroes all stem round the golden era of RnB with Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye etc to the fore. You can really feel his emotions when he sings, and this can't really be said about SRV in the same way. I saw Ian at the small prestigeous London club "The Borderline" on JULY 4 1994, and it still rates as one of the best concerts I have seen in my entire life. Although I was a little bit disappointed that he didnt include my personal fave on the CD (i.e. Revelation), as it was only a 60 min support slot to Omar and the Howlers. He in fact included 2 or 3 cover versions including "Me and my guitar" and "Spanish Castle Magic". Ian would later appear at Wembley Arena in support to ZZ Top (Capacity approx. 15000), but the only thing Ian had in comparison to La Trio Grande is that they both hail from Texas. A better support slot would have been to Bryan Adams as an example. Ian later went on to write 2 more albums with the Original band (Modern day Folklore AND And all the Colors), and from those albums came 4 amazing tracks (Today,Coming around, Time of dying and Fickle). He would also release a Minil Live Album (Live in Austin) with the Original LIne-up as well which includes 2 or 3 songs from the debut as well as "Me and my guitar". I heard a rumour that Ian never made it because he was "Too Hollywood" with his pretty boy looks etc. I met Ian at the Borderline gig, and he was vey Humble, calm and polite with no sign of ego or arrogance. I really do hope we get the chance again to hear Ian play some REAL Blues music, and let the world know what really could have been. Either way, I wish him all the best

When I ordered this cd I didn't know that it was instrumental only. I thought I was ordering a cd with lyrics. This cd will probably never be played.

I met Ian Moore during one his shows in 1990. He was not very happy when I told him that his guitar playing was similar to Stevie Ray Vaughan. I was just giving him a very genuine compliment. At that time Ian had not released any CD yet.

I have later bought every CD Ian Moore released hoping to hear this great sound Ian delivered on his Fender during his past shows, and every time I was deceived.

I believe That Ian was fed up hearing fans comparing his music to SRV, and probably decided to shift to a compete different style. Making rock songs and not emphasizing on his Guitar playing. In my humble opinion, Ian Failed royally in that sense.


The result is weak tracks, falling short in delivering melodically complete songs; even the guitar playing is very basic and does not show the real talent of this great guitar player.

This CD and like "Modernday Folklore" deserves no more than 2 stars, however after attending many concerts for Ian Moore, I say Ian has lots of potentials and can easily deliver 5 stars CDs; he just needs to work with musicians that can write good songs and can show what Ian can do on this Fender. I hope he will use his talents the right way.

Sorry to say so, but a Stratocaster and long hair do not make a rock star or a blueser. Frankly said, I was quite disappointed. Ian Moore is brushing the strings nicely and he is able to play burning solos, though they sound all very similar with a lot of WahWah. What I don't like is the voice of Ian Moore, it was far too young way back in 1993 - he neither had the deep harsh rumble of Jonny Lang nor the tasty "Schmalz" of John Bon Jovi. That's exactly were Ian Moore is between. Despite the rock-attitude with its Na-Na-Hey-Hey-songs, it does not reach the quality of rocking blues like BIG SUGAR or JOE BONAMASSA and blues only needs somewhat more of a feeling, not only while singing. I do not know his works of today yet. I hope he approved his style.