🎸 Gary Moore – Close as You Get (2007)
Released in March 2007, Close as You Get is a blues-rock studio album by Northern Irish guitarist Gary Moore. Following Old New Ballads Blues (2006), this album continues Moore’s dedication to electric blues, blending classic blues structures with modern rock elements.
Close as You Get highlights Moore’s signature emotional guitar solos, powerful vocals, and refined songwriting, making it a strong addition to his later-career blues discography.
📀 Album Credits
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Artist: Gary Moore
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Title: Close as You Get
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Type: Studio album
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Released: March 2007
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Label: Eagle Records
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Producer: Gary Moore
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Recorded at: Sarm West Studios, London
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Genre: Blues rock, electric blues
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Length: 52:30
Personnel:
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Gary Moore: guitars, lead vocals
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Vic Martin: keyboards
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Pete Rees: bass
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Graham Walker: drums
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Guest musicians: backing vocals and occasional horns
The album was produced with a focus on capturing Moore’s guitar tone and emotional expression, balancing traditional blues with accessible rock arrangements.
🎶 Tracklist
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Close as You Get – 4:50
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I Know You’re Mine – 5:10
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I Can’t Leave You Alone – 4:45
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Workin’ for Me – 5:20
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The Prophet – 4:55
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Blame It on Me – 5:05
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Too Tired – 5:00
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Jumpin’ at Shadows – 4:35
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I’ll Be Alright – 4:50
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Since I Met You Baby – 4:40
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The Blues Is Alright – 4:50
The album blends new compositions with reinterpretations of classic blues tracks, maintaining Moore’s signature melodic guitar style.
🎸 Notable Songs
🔥 “Close as You Get”
The title track is a melodic blues rocker, showcasing Moore’s emotive guitar phrasing and dynamic solos, highlighting his mastery of modern electric blues.
🎶 “I Know You’re Mine”
A heartfelt blues ballad with expressive vocals and slow, bending guitar lines, reflecting Moore’s emotional storytelling.
🎵 “Too Tired”
A heavier, high-energy track demonstrating Moore’s blues-rock virtuosity, originally recorded on earlier albums but reinterpreted here with renewed intensity.
💖 “Jumpin’ at Shadows”
A classic blues cover featuring tight rhythm work and expressive soloing, bridging Moore’s contemporary blues with traditional influences.
🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia
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🎸 Continuation of Blues Legacy: This album continues Moore’s late-career blues focus, following the success of Old New Ballads Blues (2006).
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🔊 Production Style: Recorded with minimal studio effects, emphasizing a live, raw feel for the blues tracks.
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📀 Blend of Old and New: Includes re-recordings of fan favorites like “Too Tired” and “Since I Met You Baby”, alongside new compositions.
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🎵 Guitar-Centric Approach: Moore’s vintage Les Paul guitars and tube amps provide his warm, sustaining tone throughout the album.
💡 Did You Know?
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Close as You Get was one of Moore’s final studio albums released before his passing in 2011, cementing his reputation as a dedicated blues guitarist to the end of his career.
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Moore carefully balanced modern rock elements with traditional blues, making the album accessible to a wider audience while staying true to his roots.
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Several tracks from this album were featured in Moore’s live shows during 2007–2009, often extended with improvised solos.
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The album’s title reflects Moore’s approach to capturing the essence of blues authenticity, aiming to get “as close as you can” to the emotional heart of the music.
📊 Legacy & Impact
Close as You Get is considered a strong late-career blues album by Gary Moore, reinforcing his position as a master of electric blues guitar. The album demonstrates:
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Moore’s emotional expressiveness and melodic sensibility
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His ability to reinterpret classic blues while creating new compositions
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A commitment to blues authenticity with modern accessibility
It remains a favorite among blues-rock enthusiasts, showcasing Moore’s technical skill, heartfelt playing, and dedication to the genre in his final years.
