Special report by Allan Grusie

With a career dating back to the early 1970s you could almost forgive an artist for taking a pass on delivering an album of interest. Such is not the case with legendary guitarist GARY MOORE. With over 30 album releases including group efforts with ‘70s power trio SKID ROW (no, not that one) and a role with THIN LIZZY (continuing on and off), the latest, Bad For You Baby, finds Gary continuing through the blues rock corridor with fresh-sounding originals bookending four cover tracks. This time around there is a noticeable rocking rawness to the proceedings – let’s label it “blues that make ya feel good.”

Gary concurs, “The album has more of a live performance feel to it. It was recorded right after touring, and there was a large amount of desire and good ideas there. I had strength and fire in my playing, much better than going into the studio in a vacuum. It is more of how I play live. I think the guitars had something to do with it too. I used a Telecaster, a few different Les Pauls, as well as some new guitars so the sound was a bit grittier. The guitar tracks, and music tracks for the most part were recorded, then I took a break for some shows in Germany. As a result, I came back to the studio relaxed and fresh, a good mindset to complete the vocals and finish the album.” So, were the lyrics added on at that time? “Oh no, I always write the lyrics first. I keep them in written-in books when ideas come to me. Sometimes they just jump off the pages. So much better than writing under pressure.”

“I think the album is better than anything I’ve done in a long time. This one has been building up; I feel that there was more energy, attitude and a certain roughness to the songs.”

So what’s the secret for taking on blues rock and making it sound interesting?

“I remember borrowing the JOHN MAYALL & THE BLUESBREAKERS album from a friend when I was a kid, and my life changed in a minute. It started a passion for the blues. I have a theory… I remember first starting to play the guitar when I was ten years old and the childlike enthusiasm of the time. I still get excited for rehearsals, gigs, just playing. That enthusiasm is ‘frozen in time,’ the reason you started to play. Honestly, I gladly play anywhere, anytime. I’ve gotten calls from mates inviting me to play with them at pubs, and just get them to pick me up, guitar in hand and play all night.”
“I try to keep moving forward to keep my intensity and belief in the music. If you play like you don’t believe, the audience will pick up on that vibe. They can tell straight away.”

The album has four cover songs, each which is true to the original, yet again with a fresh approach. Gary elaborates, “I always think about what I can add to a song, yet to be respectful to the spirit of the original. For example, the Al Kooper song (‘I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know’) is more of a soul track, but I added a guitar motif to the intro. I always try to add something that is ‘me’.” In addition there are a couple MUDDY WATERS covers and a JB LENOIR classic, rounding out what works out to be a superb album.