Albums –
Old New Ballads Blues
Close As You Get
Bad For You Baby
Live At Bush Hall
Release Date – 24th April 2026
Review by Linda McDermott
Born in Belfast in 1952, Gary Moore was one of those rare musicians who seemed destined for greatness from the very start. Picking up a guitar as a child and playing in bands as a teenager, his talent was clear early on and only grew stronger with time.
Over the years, Moore built a remarkable career, moving effortlessly between hard rock, metal, blues, and jazz fusion without ever sounding out of place. His time with Thin Lizzy alongside Phil Lynott produced some unforgettable moments, including the much loved Parisienne Walkways, a track still celebrated for its emotional weight.
The record label BMG will reissue four beloved titles from Moore’s catalogue on 24th April, including the live album Live at Bush Hall, released in 2014 and recorded in 2007. These releases shine a light on a particularly rich period of his later career and offer a fitting reminder of just how much depth there was to his work. While his versatility set him apart, it was the emotion in his playing that truly defined him.
Moore had a way of making his guitar sing, always putting emotion first and foremost, that approach helped bring his blues work to a worldwide audience. Whether working with the likes of B.B. King or George Harrison, or delivering those unmistakable tones from his beloved Gibson Les Paul, he always sounded unmistakably himself.
Old New Ballads Blues, released in 2006 and Moore’s fifteenth solo album, continued his deep exploration of the blues. Blending classic tracks written by legends such as Otis Rush and Willie Dixon with his own original material, it also features Don Airey on keyboards.
The album includes tracks such as Midnight Blues, Gonna Rain Today and I’ll Play The Blues For You, each one leaning into a more laid back, unhurried feel that suits him perfectly. There is a real sense of space throughout, with no rush from one moment to the next. Instead, the songs are allowed to breathe, creating a calm, almost reflective atmosphere. It is that measured approach that gives the album its strength. The focus feels just as much on letting the guitar speak as it is on the lyrics, with Moore’s playing taking its time to unfold, drawing the listener in, rather than demanding attention. It makes for a chilled, immersive listen that plays right to his strengths.
One year later, Close As You Get saw Moore reunite with his former Thin Lizzy bandmate, drummer Brian Downey, who performs across the entire record. Stripped
back and raw, it finds Moore delving into some of the most traditional blues he ever recorded.
The album kicks off with If The Devil Made Whisky, its got a chunky beat that sets the tone with an undeniable confidence. From there, the album settles into a natural ebb and flow, with uptempo tracks like Eyesight To The Blind, Checkin’ On My Baby and Hard Times scattered throughout, each one bringing a welcome lift in energy. As expected, the guitar work takes centre stage, with Moore’s solos leading the way and giving each track its own character.
Those bursts of energy are balanced by slower, more laid-back moments, with tracks like Trouble At Home and Evenin’ easing the pace and adding a more reflective feel. It is this back and forth between tempo’s that gives the album its balance, allowing the songs to breathe while keeping the listener fully engaged from start to finish.
Released in 2008, Bad For You Baby is Moore’s seventeenth solo album and the final studio release during his lifetime. It leans into a harder edged blues sound but still keeps that unmistakable feel that runs through all of his work.
The album starts with the title track, Bad For You Baby and Down The Line, immediately setting the tone and taking you on a lively ride. It hits all the right blues notes while keeping things energetic and feels like a perfect snapshot of what Moore does best. It is one of those albums that just feels right from the start, with an authenticity that makes it an easy favourite.
There is plenty to enjoy across the record. The addition of backing vocals from Cassie Taylor on Holding On adds a nice extra touch, while covers of songs associated with Muddy Waters, along with Mojo Boogie by J.B. Lenoir, keep things moving and give the album a bit of variety.
Right in the middle of it all, I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know slows everything right down. With the song lasting near eleven minutes, it brings a moody, reflective feel that makes you stop and really listen to both the lyrics and the music. It is a standout moment that shows just how much depth there is to his work, rounding off another fantastic album that more than earns its place in this set of reissues.
Lastly in the set of albums is Live at Bush Hall. Recorded in 2007 at an intimate, invitation only show promoting Close As You Get, the 13-song set once again pairs Moore with Brian Downey. Thin Lizzy’s Don’t Believe a Word is the only Lizzy track in the setlist, alongside rare live takes on songs including Chuck Berry’s 30 Days, the self penned Trouble at Home, and Sonny Boy Williamson’s Eyesight to the Blind.
What really stands out about Live at Bush Hall is the atmosphere. It is lively and uplifting throughout, with Moore completely in his element and the performance capturing that sense of energy from start to finish.
The album has something about it that makes you wish you were there in the audience, seeing the legend at work up close. The setting gives it a more intimate feel, and that connection between the music and the crowd really comes through, making it a fitting way to round off this set of reissues.
Gary Moore passed away in 2011, but his influence has not faded. If anything, it has only grown, with his playing still hitting just as hard today. These reissues are a timely reminder of just how special he was, and they are just as likely to draw in new listeners as they are to satisfy longtime fans. With a sound rooted in feel and authenticity, there is something here for any blues lover, with plenty for rock fans to get stuck into as well, making these reissues well worth revisiting for longtime fans and the perfect entry point for those discovering him for the first time.
The albums can be preordered at the following link.
https://gary-moore.lnk.to/releases
Video
Parisienne Walkways https://youtu.be/59xYyYyPeXc
Still Got The Blues https://youtu.be/8HgpUuItyZE
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