Review by Stuart McNiff

Gary Moore – 02 Academy Glasgow, Wednesday 22^nd April 2009

Blues and Rock legend, Gary Moore blew into Glasgow on Wednesday 22^nd April and left it standing on it’s head and facing the wrong way across the Clyde.

What can only be close to a sell out crowd Gary Moore strode on stage at 8.55 and opened his set with the title track from his latest CD “Bad For You Baby”. This was an amazing opener with Gary on fire showing that he still commands credit as one of the greatest blues guitarists of the last 50 years. Born in Belfast, Gary worked with a variety of bands before grabbing his piece of rock history in joining Thin Lizzy and then subsequently having a successful solo career producing the very best in Blues.

Second up was “Down the Line” also from the latest CD. This was very reminiscent of early Dr Feelgood with it’s driving bass and blistering lead guitar. With the audience firmly behind him the next few numbers blurred into a frenzy of guitar solo’s including the mid tempo “Pretty Woman”, the up tempo “Since I met you Baby” and the ultra bluesy “ Have you heard” which featured the most incredible guitar playing during the 10 minute version of this number.

For the next 2 hours the band and the audience rocked and the whole venue was at one with the blues. Classic Gary Moore songs from his many solo albums came blisteringly back to back with “Thirty Days” “Mojo Boogie” “I have a dream” “Too Tired” and many more finishing his set with the classic “Walking By Myself” which  left the audience wanting more.

The band returned to the stage for two encores and ended the set with the legendary

 “ Parisienne Walkways” which saw Gary at his very best, highlighting why this guy is still at the top of his game and getting better with age. At 57, Gary Moore came, he saw, he conquered.

Review by Stuart McNiff