Customer Reviews

Power of the Blues

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While some of Moore's previous blues efforts were overpowered by Moore's tendency to slip into "heavy metal/hard rock-blues playing" (or overplaying), on "Power Of The Blues" Moore has finally learned how to harness his blues prowess. Moore shows tremendous restraint in his playing on this album. Possessed by the spirits of Fleetwood Mac era Peter Green & Bluesbreakers era Clapton, Moore channels the previously mentioned greats into his own unique style of electric blues. Two words come to mind in describing Moore's guitar playing, "killer tone". Any guitar player knows what I'm talking about. Green had it, Clapton had it, Page had it, Gary Moore "has" it. Moore's playing on "I Can't Quit You Baby" literally slays Zeppelin's version. And although the previous statement borders on blasphemy for some, I stand by it.
Yes, Gary is not the greatest vocalist; but he can hold his own. Yet that's not the point. When it comes to the blues, the combination of vocals and guitar emanating from the same musician is what it's all about. In that regard Moore finally has come into his own on this album.
This release will not disappoint any Gary Moore fan.
For any newcomers to Gary's music, "Power Of The Blues" is an excellent place to start.

Gary calls this his rawest album to date. I think I can agree with that. What we have here is another full frontal guitar assault from the underrated Irish bluesman. Gary has been everything but a model of restraint ever since "Scars". There are some straight blues numbers here but most of the album rivals Gov't Mule for power trio intensity. One minor note of caution, Gary is merely average as a vocalist. He has a darn good snarl though which is all that matters for most of these songs. Enjoy!

Power of the Blues is aptly titled. Searing guiitar work coupled with Gary's passionate vocals make for another quality effort. The album's excellant but a little short [about forty minutes]. Gary has done better work, including one of my all time favorites in Blues Alive. Overall this is one of the best Blues/Rock albums I've heard in two years. All tracks are good, I particular enjoyed Thats Why I Play The Blues and Memory Pain. If you like power blues guitar this artist is your ticket. Highly recomend this album along with other two mentioned. Gary is one the top guitarist's of all time, it's time for more people to discover his music.

Gary Moore has always slipped through the cracks. One of the best rock guitarists of his generation, he hasn't quite gotten the widespread accolades that have been lavished upon the work of less accomplished players. Metalheads were put off by the soulful core that lay within his technically astonishing playing. Fans of the blues were put off by his hard-rock intensity and searing soloing. For my money, Moore is one of the best guitarists working, and Power Of The Blues is a sterling example of his artistry. Moore plays the blues with a distinctly modern edge, combining soul and expression with screaming hard rock intensity. The title track kicks with punishing force, changing tempo for a grinding Moore solo. "There's a Hole" is a slow burning showcase. As sacreligious as it may sound, Moore's version of "I Can't Quit You Baby" is a stunning tour-de-force that cuts the version on Led Zeppelin I dead, and that version was a great version of the song. "Evil" is a short, powerful rendition of the Howlin' Wolf classic. "Getaway Blues" is an absolute powerhouse, where Moore's vocals match his guitar's saw-toothed aggression. "Memory Pain" is dynamic, pairing mint-cool interludes with shattering outbursts. I thought his interpretation of this song was interesting, not as funky as Johnny Winters', but classic in its own way. "Torn Inside" and "That's Why I Play The Blues" are atmospheric songs that are perfect for rainy day listening. All of Moore's blues work is excellent, and this may be the best one of the bunch.

As a very long time Gary Moore fan and one who owns everthing he has ever recorded, on vinyl and CD I have to commend Gary for every year releasing something new for his fans. Unlike so many other artists he never stops growing or challenging himself.
That said there are almost no words to describe the new album. It is Gary at his absolute finest. A nod to the Jeff Beck Group here and a nod to Zepplin (which he absolutly destroys their version of I Can't Quit You Babe) and the rest is just Gary playing his butt off. I was disappointed for the most part with Scars as it seemed very Hendrixish, but this is pure Gary Moore with some of the most wonderful and soulful guitar solos he has ever done. Being a guitar player for 30 years an listening to this CD I can only smile and say "this is why I listen and play the guitar" That's the best compliment I could ever give.
Thanks Gary for everything and especially the Power of The Blues.
And oh yeah, your voice is just fine thank you.

I've only had this a few hours, and have been able to spin through it 3 times (approx 41 minutes in length). Five stars is my initial impression for this CD. It is the strongest effort by Gary in recent memory. This CD leaves me wanting more, which is always a good sign. The songs themselves will be very familiar to Gary's fans, yet keep you engaged and don't end up sounding repetitive. The production itself is not nearly as harsh sounding as the last couple of CDs (Scars and Back To The Blues). To my ears this sounds fuller and richer, and I think Gary's vocal effort is more balanced too. Gary's guitar tones vary quite a bit on this disc. He even uses the wha-wha pedal from Scars on a few songs. For those that worried that Gary's hand injury from a year or so ago would affect his playing - worry no longer. His chops and energy are as good as ever. The band he assembled for this disc helps fill out the sound so that it does not seem as stripped down as Scars did (but not quite the fullness of the Midnight Blues Band either). While I liked the full band sound, as a guitar lover I appreciate the fact that nothing gets in the way of enjoying Gary throughout the songs. Buy this CD. You will not regret it.

Gary continues to reinvent himself from album to album. He's done this his whole career and even though he is still young (and young at heart) and hasn't garnered the status of a "legend" within the commercially hungry "pop music" public eye, he is teetering on lengendary status within certain circles as one of the best guitar shredding virtuosos of all time as well as an incredibly well balanced and "complete" musician which is rare to find these days. He continues to amaze me with his never-ending supply of high energy music and soulful fire within with his slow ballads. I can listen to his music at any time... regardless of what type of mood I'm in that day. He always brings me UP!

Gary Moore's "Still Got The Blues" album delivered top notch guitar playing AND vocals. He always has been known more for his guitar playing than his singing, but on that album from 1990 his vocals were very good, particularly on the title track. However, while his guitar is as good as ever on this 2004 "Power Of The Blues" release, his vocals, for some reason, have taken on a weird, almost goofy flavor. Maybe he was dissatisfied with his singing on "Still Got The Blues" and was trying a "new style." Well, Gary, let's leave well enough alone and stick to the formula, my man! We know you can do better! Overall, though, a great blues/rock album. I'm a Gary Moore fan mostly due to his guitar, anyway, so I'm willing to overlook his "affected" vocals for the most part.

Nothing earth-shatteringly new here.........just lots more of Garys' fiery guitar work ( which is a very good thing indeed )...every song is a keeper..the band is tight..this is more blues-rock oriented than some of Garys's previous work...Gary's vocals are right on target also......highly recommended

While some of Moore's previous blues efforts were overpowered by Moore's tendency to slip into "heavy metal/hard rock-blues playing" (or overplaying), on "Power Of The Blues" Moore has finally learned how to harness his blues prowess. Moore shows tremendous restraint in his playing on this album. Possessed by the spirits of Fleetwood Mac era Peter Green & Bluesbreakers era Clapton, Moore channels the previously mentioned greats into his own unique style of electric blues. Two words come to mind in describing Moore's guitar playing, "killer tone". Any guitar player knows what I'm talking about. Green had it, Clapton had it, Page had it, Gary Moore "has" it. Moore's playing on "I Can't Quit You Baby" literally slays Zeppelin's version. And although the previous statement borders on blasphemy for some, I stand by it.
Yes, Gary is not the greatest vocalist; but he can hold his own. Yet that's not the point. When it comes to the blues, the combination of vocals and guitar emanating from the same musician is what it's all about. In that regard Moore finally has come into his own on this album.
This release will not disappoint any Gary Moore fan.
For any newcomers to Gary's music, "Power Of The Blues" is an excellent place to start.