Customer Reviews

Modernday Folklore

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Modernday Folklore is an awesome album from Ian Moore. While originally known as a blues guitarist, Moore expanded his sound on this album with impressive results. Moore's playing is very fiery blues sounding similar to both Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jimi Hendrix.

But Modernday Folklore isn't just for blues fans as there's much diversity on this album. Every track here is very strong. Blues-rockers such as "Muddy Jesus", "Bar Line 99", and "Train Tracks" are killer highlighting Moore's excellent playing. His use of the wah-wah pedal on these tracks only add to the intensity. There's also excellent acoustic tracks here such as "Daggers" and "Home" with Moore's quiet vocals bringing out the best in each track. Then there's the R&B tinged 'Lie" and "Stain" which are highlighted by their punchy horn lines and background vocals. Slower tracks such as the gospel like "Morning Song", "Dandelion" and "Today" are also very strong. The haunting "You'll Be Gone" with its dark vocals and production is also an awesome track. An excellent album from an artist who should have much more recognition.

This is Moore's 2nd release from 1995. With any airplay, this guy would be a big favorite with fans of hard blues or southern rock. Much better than average vocals nicely complement his expressive guitar techniques, elevating Moore above your basic blues/rock guy. There is also a nice mix of acoustic, R&B and Gospel. Many of his riffs are very familiar with various classic songs for playing "name that riff". "Stain" sounds like another man from Austin named Edgar Winter, especially with the horn section and wah-wah sounding guitar. "Morning Sound" is Hendrix at his mellowest...simple beautiful. * * * 1/2

This will make you want to quit your life and become an Ian Moore groupie. It is all over the place, and it is a fantastic ride. "Today" gives me chills every time I hear it.

This is one of the better CDs I have purchased in the past 6 years. I listen to it at least once a month.

(this review is similar to the one I just gave for the self-titled "Ian Moore" because I find them similar, but both worth having)
I had this album on my shelf for years (along with Ian Moore) 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. Ian's voice is very pleasant, definitely a cut above your average pop dude. "Today" is fantastic but I like 'em all.

I really really like this one. It's distinctive soul music, really. He's caught a lot of grief from some of his fans recently who can't understand why he's not playing regular old blues rock anymore, and a lot of them don't realize that he wasn't really playing it on Modernday Folklore, either. He was playing what was emergent Ian Moore music, characterized by literate songwriting, blazing instrumentalism, and soulful vocals. His voice is great, going from a resonant baritone to a keening falsetto. His playing, while not as showy as on the first cd, is fervent and emotional in all the right places. And the songs are just really cool. The only problem I have with this one is that the way the drums sound have always kind of bugged me. Buy it.

Ian Moore burst onto the scene and found himself in a dead-heat race with Chris Duarte for the title of the next Stevie Ray Vaughan. A title that neither of them wanted. Moore's self-titled first album was an exploration in Texas blues. The evolution of the Ian Moore Band really begins with "Modernday Folklore". The difference between this album and his previous two albums is noticeable, but not drastic.

There is some great guitar work on this album although Moore's guitar is not necessary in the spotlight on every song. One of my all-time favorite songs appears on this album. "Today" is just a piece of brilliant songwriting. Moore starts the song off slow, and then picks up the intensity twice before return to the close in the same slow pace. Great lyrics as well, with a good meaning underneath it all. The album starts off with "Muddy Jesus", which delights us with a fast groove, catchy lyrics, and good guitar work. "Daggers" is a slow bit of acoustical solo that gives you a sample of Moore's singing ability. Then he kicks it into the overdriven "Bar Line 99".

The only song that I really don't care for on this album is "You'll Be Gone". Maybe this is the first song of Moore's evolution. Although I own and listen to Moore's subsequent albums, they don't move me like his first three albums do. I prefer the Moore of old, but I don't blame him for breaking with convention and following his own voice. He might have lost a few listeners in discovering himself, but I'm sure he's gained a few more who wouldn't listen to his early stuff. I have to admire someone who's willing to follow what's inside then to be contorted to what the labels and listeners want. I'll still keep tabs on the Ian Moore Band, albeit not as close as I once did.

I am a huge fan of Ian Moore and have been since his first release. I remember buying this the day it came out and instantly loving it. Their was a pretty drastic change in the sound and material, but it seemed to be a natural progression to me. I have met Ian several times and talked to him about his musical direction. He, as well as I, believe that we must all take our own path. He was being labeled the next Stevie Ray Vaughan, Guitar virtuoso, ect. when all he wanted was to write the music that is inside him. This recording is the first step in that direction. His latest recordings (Green Grass,...and All the Colors) are further examples that a truely talented artist can create beautiful music without following a formula, or following the industry. His guitar skills are still very much intact and his voice is stronger than it has ever been. It is purely magical when a voice and an instrument blends together and sounds like one voice. I highly recommend this CD as well as "Green Grass" and "and All the Colors" Also, if you get the chance to see him live...jump at it...you will not be disappointed!

WOW, recently found this CD in the attic and after playing it several times have come to the conclusion that Ian Moore is a fantastic axeman. If you enjoy Hendrix inspired electric blues based guitar, he really delivers. So much more moving than SVR or Trower!!

If you like Blues Traveller or Lenny Kravitz you'll like this disc. Moore's lyrical and musical direction is similar. They are equally adept at doing swaggering blues-rock, as exemplified on songs like "Muddy Jesus" (this is one to put on repeat), and "Train Tracks". Their mellow, almost folksy ballad, "Daggers" is a highlight here, though not the only mellow tune.