by Brian D. Holland.

Bad For You Baby, recently released on Eagle Records, is the latest in a bunch of brilliant blues CDs from Gary Moore. Retrospectively, it has been a patchy yet admiringly persistent career thus far for the Irish guitarist/vocalist. Following his hugely popular 1990 release, Still Got the Blues, he went on to release a handful of mediocre albums. Though some were in blues territory, he also had a tendency to reenter the hard rock and metal waters he thrived in at one time. He even got into some borderline pop and electronic material along the way. Giving listeners the opinion he was a bewildered performer without a genre inclination, it finally became clear in 2004, with the release of Power of the Blues, that he was finally back on the right track. 2006's Old New Ballads Blues and 2007's Close As You Get collectively made the course apparent, as his adoration for the music of Elmore James, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, and others is displayed passionately and zealously throughout all of them. Also, his capability for meddling in the guitar playing styles of Albert King, Roy Buchanan, Peter Green, and other greats reveals a genuine obsession. The fact that he possesses a polished playing style of his own, more than adequate vocal ability, and a capacity for composing brilliant blues songs are mere additions to the comprehensiveness of his latest endeavors, including the new one.

Like its recent predecessors, Bad For You Baby is a fine blend of traditional blues songs and Moore originals, all of which are performed in the diversely interesting approach that’s today’s Gary Moore. He covers all the bases on the Moore blues spectrum, with an edge that’s both electrifying and unique, and his tone and phrasing get better with each release.

Diversity in style appears to be the theme throughout. The opener, “Bad For You Baby,” is one of seven original compositions on the album. Though the rocked up number has a '70s bluesrock feel to it, the raw power exerted is all Moore. His phrasing in the solo midway thru is exhilarating. The follower, “Down The Line,” is similar in style, yet its hasty strut highlights Gary’s quick fretwork. It’s plain to see that although flashiness still has a place in his music, he’s much more selective about where he utilizes it. “Umbrella Man” is top notch blues funk, coerced along by a solid rhythm section amid a captivating blues progression.

Listen to "Umbrella Man" and "Someday Baby" from Bad For You Baby

Gary goes off on an r&b tangent in “Holding On,” and the result is a gem of a song. Not only do the verses, the chorus, and the all-around melody possess incredible appeal, but the guitar work is exceptional throughout, especially the short yet articulate solo beyond the middle point. Slow blues is where it’s at for Gary, too, as alluringly sweet phrasing amid incredible tone finds a home in each one he does. Al Kooper’s “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” is no exception to that rule, as he makes it his own from start until finish. He does it again later on with two of his own compositions, “Did You Ever Feel Lonely?” and “Trouble Ain’t Far Behind.”

The name Gary Moore has finally become an established and recognizable one within the blues genre, especially now that he no longer strays too far from it in his studio recordings. Though blues boundaries are more prevalent for some listeners than for others, the adoration and respect he has for the music is easily perceivable through his own interpretation and technique. He’s been releasing some brilliant blues albums over the past few years. Bad For You Baby is up there with the best of them.

Bad For You Baby
1. Bad For You Baby
2. Down The Line
3. Umbrella Man
4. Holding On
5. Walkin’ Thru The Park
6. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know
7. Mojo Boogie
8. Someday Baby
9. Did You Ever Feel Lonely?
10. Preacher Man Blues
11. Trouble Ain’t Far Behind

Eagle Records 2008

Links:
Gary Moore
Bad For You Baby on Amazon