Live At Monsters Of Rock Review

Release Date: Sep 30, 2003
Label: Sanctuary
Genres: Blues-Rock, Hard Rock, Guitar Virtuoso
Number Of Tracks: 10
Power guitarist Gary Moore's Live at Monsters of Rock is a dream come true for every guitar freak out there.

Sound:	9
Lyrics:	9
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9
Users rating:	7.1
Comments:	19

overall: 9.7

Featured review by: 01meliac, on november 30, 2007

Sound: Before I start, I would just like to point out that this album is completely, 100% live. No overdubs or re-recordering/re-mastering, it's pure quality live gig material. Over the last year I have been following all of Gary’s work, from his Thin Lizzy days in the '70s, to his metallic efforts in the 80s, right up to his bluesy material from the '90s and '00s. I even went to see him live at the Preston Guildhall on the 13th November this year, and might I add that he was sensational. He has become like a god to me, and my favourite guitarist, singer, songwriter, and overall performer of all time, simply for the reason that anything he does do, he can do much better than anyone else can. Anyway, back to the album. In 2003 Gary opened for Whitesnake at the annual Monsters of Rock Festival (The fact that he opened for a cheesy 80s hair metal act, that cannot stand next to his godlike status beats me). Various shows were staged across the country, and two releases were to be made of Gary’s performance. Firstly a CD of the Glasgow gig, and secondly, a DVD of the Sheffield gig (the first of which I am reviewing now). The set list Gary complied for this gig (CD) was very interesting, as it seems to have encompassed his entire career in ten tracks. Another noticeable fact is that this set list is very different from the one he’s been plying over the last 15 years or so, as it is much heavier than his usual ‘all blues’ set list. This was most probably influenced by the fact that he was playing at a major heavy ‘Rock’ festival, and he wanted a set list to suit the audience he would be playing to. Another factor which will have influenced this heavier set, will be the fact that his latest studio album at the time was a rockier sounding album called ‘Scars’, for which he had formed a new band comprising of. My view on each individual track:

01. Shapes Of Things – good song that gained a lot of radio play on it's original release in the US. In this version Gary makes up for the missing rhythm guitar with extra volume and amazing technique, the only fault being his tired sounding vocals. Take note of the awesome solo, known to many as one of his best of that era.
02. Wishing Well - originally by free, but I prefer Gary’s rocked up version better which has got a harder edge and impressive solos. This is one of the heavier tracks on the album.
03. Rectify – the first new track of the set list, a good rocker for general Moore fans to get their teeth into.
04. Guitar Intro (End Of The World) – Gary’s answer to Van Halen’s Eruption, this is guitar shredding at it's very best, so bow down now!
05. Stand Up – best rock track of his or over 15 years, truly amazing. The use of the wah effect is very well implemented here.
06. Just Can't Let You Go – not sure about this one, it’s another new track from ‘Scars’, but playing a ballad at ‘Monsters Of Rock’ just feels wrong to me. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s a good song, just not right for the gig.
07. Walking By Myself – this blues rock number would have felt out of place, had it not been for the removal of harmonicas etc, and the driven up distortion. This song is a fan favourite, which Gary plays to this day.
08. Don't Believe A Word - originally done by Thin Lizzy earlier in the '70s, but slowed down by Gary for his ‘Back on the Streets’ album. He states on the CD before he starts playing, that there will be two different versions of this song, leaving you puzzled. That is until halfway through playing the slowed down blues version, he cranks up the gain and rocks straight into Lizzy’s.
09. Out In The Fields – highest charting song of Gary’s, which reached no 5 in the UK in 1985. One of his most recognisable tracks to date, which originally featured Lizzy’s Phil Lynott on vocals and bass, but since Phil’s death, Gary has filled in where needed. Another legendry shred solo can be found here, along with one hell of a rock chorus.
10. Parisienne Walkways – another massive hit for Gary in the UK which smashed the Top 10 in 1978. Once again this track featured Phil Lynott on vocals and bass, so Gary fills in his parts. This song is known by all guitarists as a true classic, one word for you sustain (great song for an encore). // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Gary has a wide variety of different styles influencing the way he writes lyrics, which I find good. All his music has a good blend of awesome guitar solos and soulful meaningful lyrics which could only come straight from the heart. Some of the songs on this album are covers, but Gary's takes on them are in no way similar, because he has the ability to make a song his own. Gary's voice does sound a little tired on this album, and I have seen many reviews that people have had a go at him for for it. But nowadays, he's a man in his fifties so I mean, what more can you expect (I don't think they're that band anyway). // 9

Impression: Overall this is a really good album for fans of all forms of rock music whether it be metal/shred/classicrock/blues etc. It's a stripped down recording of Gary's awesome guitar, backed by bass and drums. You'll find no bullshit, no editing, no major effects, just 100% pure rock and roll. I will never understand how he creates such a great guitar tone, which is so good that he can emulate two guitarists! If I ever lost this album I would without a doubt replace it as soon as possible, as it means so much to me. So what are you waiting for buy it, whack it in your stereo, crank up the air guitar, and I'll see you in rock n roll heaven! // 10

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: MaXiMuse, on november 03, 2008

Sound: First of all, I want to say that I only know these songs. And don`t know the originals or other songs. And I say that 'they' are a band. Because it`s not only Gary Moore.
So let`s begin. They`re impressive live. You can feel the power of some songs really coming through the stereo. The power mostly comes from the riff`s who are to be honest... basic. Don`t expect a song with 100 different chords, riff`s and everything. Ofcourse they go beyond E5 - G5, and sometimes have a pretty intresting riff or chord progression, most of the time made by a bluesy note between. But you can make good rock songs with just the basics. Take Stand Up or Shape of Things wich is the opener of the gig, it`s a hell of a song according to me. A few basic chords, but play them on the right way and it kicks ass. Though the riff`s aren`t the best in the world, the solo`s are amazing. Sometimes they`re around two minutes but it doesn`t get boring, wich is a sign of skills.

Short summary:

01.Shape of Things, just a rock song. Has a really good bridge.
02.Wishing Well, a bit slow rock song with really good solo.
03.Rectify heavy rock song with some good riffs.
04.Guitar Intro Gary Moore shredding...
05.Stand Up Powerfull bass, wah pedal and a bluesy solo. Awesome song.
06.Just Can`t Let You Go To be honest a boring slow song iwht a heavy break.
07.Walking By Myself Blues-rock.
08.Don`t Believe A Word first the slow-blues version. Then the fast-blues-rock.
09.Out in the Fields Heavy rock song, with an interesting break-down in wich the crowd get`s enthousiastic. Good vocals
10.Parisienne Walkways Blues-rock song. That`s mostly a solo actually.
I think it`s a good CD for driving in a car on a highway. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: The first song, Shape of Things latst 5 minutes. And at the end of that song Gary Moore can already sing so high that you wonder if he has been castrated, and he sings amazing in Out in the Fields. The vocals are from good to astonishing, and it`s live. But in Stand Up for example, they`re not so powerful, wich is a pity I think for such a powerful song. But in Walking by Myself he has a pretty powerful voice.
The lyrics: There`s Out in the Fields, with good lyrics, and there`s Just Can`t Let You Go with pretty onoriginal lyrics if you aks me. None of the lyrics are like poems. No ethical questions (Though Shape of Things is a bit ethical) or something. Overall it are decent lyrics, some are better then others. The lyrics are about stuff like love, non-love and war. // 9

Impression: So, it are a bit basic riff`s, but with some bluesy notes between them they become better. The solo`s are pretty damn good. And every song has one, so if you like to hear some good solo work you should give it a try. Gary Moore is a blues-guitarist (as what I heard) and you notice that in his solo`s. They have a bluesy edge sometimes, and in the blues-rock songs it`s as bluesy (with a rock edge) as Sex Pistols are punk. The CD consist 5 rock songs, 2 blues-rock songs, Don`t Believe a Word is first played slowly-blues, and then they play the fast version, a guitar solo interlude and there`s Jus`t Can`t Let You Go, that has a heavy break-down but is further a (too) slow song. Gary Moore does ruïnes the slow part actually with a too heavy solo bit, wich I find a waste. A more then good CD to listen to if you like rock, and can listen to some blues once in a while. But listen to a song before you buy. It`s maybe not your taste. // 8

Comments

[WFMedia]

... Calling Whitesnake a 'cheezy 80's act' is akin to calling Steve Vai a 'wanker' on the guitar.

This review sucks for that alone!

[01meliac]

erm, well im right!

Whitesnake are shit!

[zigslip]

01meliac wrote:

erm, well im right!

Whitesnake are shit!

merely your opinion, theres plenty of people who would say whitesnake are not shit

[01meliac]

yeah, well maybe i like expressing my opinion, SHIT!!!!!

[01meliac]

yeah, well maybe i like expressing my opinion, SHIT!!!!!

[the5thhorseman]

I think Whitesnake is shit too. How many musicians did that egomaniac Coverdale go through again?

[the5thhorseman]

And isn't the point of a review to give an opinion??? How can you fault someone for giving their opinion in a review zigslip?

[nikh158]

A small correction regarding "Don`t Believe A Word": The slow blues arrangement was the original version; the faster arrangement was concocted by Brian Robertson and recorded on Thin Lizzy`s 1977 album "Johnny The Fox". It became a hit single in the UK. The slower version appeared a year later on Moore`s solo album, "Back On the Streets". Also, regarding Whitesnake: Before the hair metal phase they were a very good blues-rock outfit. Listen to the live version of "Ain`t No Love..In The Heart Of The City" and other early recordings for confirmation.
Admittedly, they were pretty dire in the 80`s; I saw one of their videos on some pop channel last night and it was pretty embarrassing.

[jordy-77]

Whitesnake is awesome.

[01meliac]

to all who read this, this is MY REVIEW, just forgot to log in b4 submitting lol!

[JimPrenier_11]

I have nothing wrong with White snake if you wanna complain make a forum about it and post on what's here

[JustinYap]

This review was a little too biased... And yeah, it's your opinion and you have a right to it, but they way you're asserting that opinion on other people is wrong..

[01meliac]

your mother

[samueltjones]

What JustinYap is saying is right, and 01meliac is completely bias in this review. On this point alone it does not make a good review.

[01meliac]

well steve vai is a wanker so yeah gud1 mate

[ayreon37]

Good God folks, he made one comment about one band that wasn't even the focus of the review! Leave it be! And you! (points at interviewer) Don't be a 12 year old back at them, just ignore them like mommy told you to.

[theotherguy7145]

zigslip wrote:

01meliac wrote:

erm, well im right!

Whitesnake are shit!


merely your opinion, theres plenty of people who would say whitesnake are not shit

i wouldn't say whitesnake are shit! if you actually listen to the stuff, then its good music, regardless of whos playing it in the band!

[01meliac]

okay one for the record, i know of the tosser that goes by the name of 'samueltjones', and he knows **** all about music and doesn't even play guitar FFS, just go home same, a review contains you opinions, of course its gona be biased one way or another. Seriously sam BUT OUT!

[StraitsSantana]

Gary is the epitimy of what the eletric guitar should sound like. No gimmicks, just one man playing a guitar with lots of emotion. One word of warning, when you buy the album prepare to spend all of your spare time learning, listening and playing it.
Gary moore=guitar god