In a career dating back to the 1960s he has played with bands including Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Greg Lake and Skid Row as well as having a successful solo career.
Moore started performing from a young age and got his first good guitar at the age of 14. In a career lasting over 30 years he has demonstrated that he is a fine musician, and his unique style of playing has adapted to very different music genres, including jazz rock jazz, blues, electric blues, hard rock, celtic rock and heavy metal.
One of his most famous non-blues records is Wild Frontier, his first studio album after a trip back to his native Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1985, this album has several songs about Ireland and even the music itself is steeped in Celtic roots. The title track was intended to be sung by Phil Lynott, however Lynott's death in January 1986 prevented that. The album is dedicated to Lynott's memory, with the words "For Philip" on the rear cover.
Wild Frontier contains the hit "Over the Hills and Far Away", which reached #20 in the UK as well as a cover of the Australian band The Easybeats' hit of the middle of the 1960s, "Friday on My Mind". The Max Middleton-penned "The Loner" was originally recorded by Cozy Powell for his Over the Top album in 1979 (which Moore did perform on, albeit not on Powell's recording of "The Loner"), but was substantially altered by Moore for his own recording, thus he was credited as a co-writer.
For blues fans, Moore's best recorded, live performance on video is "LIVE BLUES" recorded in a small night club in London and was released in 1992 on VHS. It is now available on DVD as well. "LIVE BLUES" also features two songs with B.B. King appearing on stage with Moore. "The Thrill Is Gone" on this recording is probably the best version of this, complete with More's Midnight Horns, female backup singers and dueling guitars. Many of Moore's standard songs are on this 90 minute show and were mixed better than most of the studio versions of the same tunes for a very rich and full sound. Even Moore's voice sounds better than it usually does in the studio. Moore did not seem interested in touring the United States.
Connection with Peter Green
According to numerous interviews he has given to guitar magazines, he was the protege of British Blues pioneer Peter Green, whom he had always admired ever since the Bluesbreakers days. When Green quit Fleetwood Mac and the entire music scene, he sold his famous nasal-sounding 1959 Gibson Les Paul to Moore for the same price that Moore had managed to sell his then guitar (a Gibson SG) for. The nasal sound of the neck pickup on Green's guitar was not, as used to be believed, the result of the pickup having been turned backwards, but instead its two coils had been - perhaps accidentally - reconnected in parallel and out of phase, as per the "in between" positions of a Fender Stratocaster. Moore has used this guitar in the recordings of some songs of his albums Still Got The Blues, After Hours and Blues For Greeny. Green and Moore also reportedly had a disagreement regarding what guitar the former was playing in the song "Albatross". Moore insists it was the Les Paul, because the guitar tone was particularly warm and rich in the bass, while Peter Green maintains he was using a Strat, as the vibrato in that song was not finger vibrato, but subtle tremolo arm vibrato. Up to the day of his death, Green and Moore remained good friends.
Guitars used
Over the years Gary has used numerous guitars. These include: Peter Green's 1959 Gibson Les Paul, Peter Green's 1961 Fender Stratocaster and 1950s Gibson Les Paul Junior. He has also used guitars from Charvel, Ibanez, Hamer, Jackson and Heritage. Amplification has generally come from Marshall, though Soldanos and Fender have also been used, as well as transistor-driven Dean Markley units (especially in the studio). He also has used numerous effects over the years. these include; Delay units such as the Echoplex, Overdrive/Booster units such as the Boss DS-1, Ibanez Tubescreamer variants, Marshall Bluesbreaker and Guv'nor pedals as well as Wah-Wah pedals such as the Vox Wah. He appears nowadays to favour Gibson and Fender Guitars through Marshall amps with any of the above Overdrive pedals and Wah pedals to make his sound.
Solo career
In 1973 he released his first solo album as the Gary Moore Band. In 1979 his solo career started again with help from Phil Lynott, the combination of Gary's blues based guitar and Phil's voice produced "Parisenne Walkways" which reached the UK Top Ten in April 1979 and the no.2 album 'Black Rose'. After a series of powerful rock records Gary returned to blues music with Still Got the Blues, with contributions from B. B. King, Albert King and Albert Collins the album was well received by fans and a huge success. Gary stayed with the blues format until 1997 when he decided to experiment with modern dance beats in Dark Days In Paradise; this left many fans as well as the music press confused. Back to the Blues saw Gary return to the tried and tested blues format.
Albums
* Grinding Stone, 1973
* Parisienne Walkways, 1977
* Back on the Streets, 1978
* Corridors of Power, 1982
* Live at the Marquee, 1983
* Rockin' Every Night - Live in Japan, 1983
* Victims of the Future, 1983
* Dirty Fingers, 1984
* We Want Moore, 1984
* Run for Cover, 1985
* Wild Frontier, 1987
* After the War, 1989
* Still Got the Blues, 1990
* After Hours, 1992
* Blues Alive, 1993
* Ballads & Blues 1982-1994, 1994
* Blues For Greeny, 1995
* Dark Days in Paradise, 1997
* Out in the Fields - The Very Best of Part 1, 1998
* Blood of Emeralds - The Very Best of Part 2, 1999
* A Different Beat, 1999
* Back to the Blues, 2001
* Power Of The Blues, 2004
* Old New Ballads Blues, 2006
* Close As You Get, 2007
* Bad For You Baby, 2008
Singles
* Parisienne Walkways
* Out in the Fields
* Empty Rooms
* Wild Frontier
* Still Got the Blues
The Future (2005-present)
Later on in 2006, Gary will support BB King on his 'Farewell UK Tour'. It unfortunately did not lead to a tour of the United States with BB King.
The studio album entitled 'Old New Ballads Blues' was a follow up of 2004's 'Power of the Blues' and it featured new material as well as new versions of fan favourites 'Midnight Blues' and 'All your Love'
Gary Moore has also sold his Les Paul that was given to him by Peter Green to a private owner.
On February 6th 2011, he died from a heart attack in his sleep while on holiday in Spain.
External links
* The Official Gary Moore World Wide Website: http://www.gary-moore.com/
* The Lord Of The Strings - World Wide Gary Moore Fansite: http://www.garymoore.hu/eng.htm Thanks for the music.
Walking Thru The Park
Gary Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking down through the park
Yeah, I'm goin' out walkin'
Walking down through the park
I'm gonna walk in the moonlight
'Till the night gets dark
I said, I'm goin' out walkin'
Yes, I'm goin' out walkin'
Along that old avenue
I'm gonna walk for so long
'Till she won't know what to do, yeah
I'm goin' out walkin'
Walking down along the street
Yes, I'm goin' out walkin'
Walking down along the street
I'm gonna walk her beside me
'Cause that girl just can't be beat
No, she can't
Well, I'm goin' out walkin'
Walking down through the park
Yes, I'm goin' out walkin'
Walking down through the park
I'm gonna walk in the moonlight
'Till the night gets dark
The lyrics of Gary Moore's song "Walkin' Thru' the Park" depict a man who is taking a leisurely stroll through the park and the streets with his lover. He starts off saying that he is going out walking and is heading down to the park where he intends to walk in the moonlight until the night gets dark. His intention suggests that he would like to spend as much time as possible with his lover and the park provides a peaceful and private setting for their walk. He then says that he is also planning to walk along an old avenue, and this might be meaningful because old avenues have history and probably hold special memories for him and his lover.
In the next verse, he is trying to woo her, saying that he is going to walk for so long that she won't know what to do, implying that he wants her to be swept off her feet by the romantic gesture. Later, he walks down along the street hand in hand with his lover, exclaiming that she just can't be beaten. It seems that the man is proud to have such an amazing partner, and he wants the whole world to see them together. In the end, he reiterates that he will continue walking through the park in the moonlight till the night gets dark.
Overall, the song's romantic theme is enhanced by its bluesy guitar rift and smooth melody. Moore's silky vocals perfectly capture the song's underlying message of love, passion, and devotion. "Walkin' Thru' the Park" is a perfect example of how music can evoke feelings of nostalgia, love, and desire.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm goin' out walkin'
I am leaving my current location to take a walk
Walking down through the park
I will be meandering through an area in the park
Yeah, I'm goin' out walkin'
Yes, I am making the choice to go for a long walk
Walking down through the park
I will be strolling through the park without specific purpose
I'm gonna walk in the moonlight
I will take advantage of walking underneath the bright moon
'Till the night gets dark
I will continue walking until night time fully occurs
I said I'm goin' out walkin'
I reiterate my intention of going for a walk
Along that old avenue
I will be walking on a street or path with historic value
Yes, I'm goin' out walkin'
Indeed, I am going outside to take a leisurely walk
Along that old avenue
I am particular about selecting a path with a long-established history
I'm gonna walk for so long
I will be walking for a considerable amount of time
'Till she won't know what to do, yeah
I will walk so long that the person I'm with will lose their sense of direction
I'm goin' out walkin'
I am getting dressed and ready to go for a walk outside
Walking down along the street
I will be moving along a pathway with businesses and residences
Yes, I'm goin' out walkin'
Of course, I am going to walk because it is a pleasurable experience
I'm gonna walk her beside me
I will be accompanied by a woman I cherish
'Cause that girl just can't be beat
This girl is amazing and cannot be compared to anyone else
No, she can't
Absolutely not, this girl is one of a kind
Well, I'm goin' out walkin'
I am insisting that I am stepping out for the purpose of walking outside
Walking down through the park
I have decided to stroll through the park during this walk
Yes, I'm goin' out walkin'
Confirmed, I am in the process of embarking on a walk
Walking down through the park
I will take in the sights and sounds of the park on my walk
I'm gonna walk in the moonlight
I will walk under the glow of the moon's light
'Till the night gets dark
I intend to keep walking until the darkness fully descends
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MCKINLEY MORGANFIELD, MUDDY WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Hatton
If you're a guitar player and you don't think that's an incredible solo try learning it and playing it with the track. Gary Moore is notorious for making things sound much easier than they really are.
Sal Vation
Not just the blues, it swings too.
Dogheadj
have you all heard Johnny Winter and Muddy waters doing this tune? It's on the "Nothing but the Blues disc. Absolutely fantastic. Don't know if it's available on YouTube or not.
Vito Scaletta
ive always loved this song.. and this video isnt making me change my mind!!!
moooreband
Love it <3
Russell Simonds
Killer version of my favorite Muddy Waters tune
Silverburst61
just brilliant!
semitar6
A great tune....
BulletGuy67 Old
I can't believe he has died... R.I.P. Gary :(
chabon89
Genius of Genius