🎸 Gary Moore – Still Got the Blues (1990)
Released in March 1990, Still Got the Blues is widely regarded as Gary Moore’s definitive blues-rock album, marking a major shift from his 1980s hard rock and Celtic-inspired music to a more emotionally expressive blues style.
This album revitalized Moore’s career, establishing him as a leading blues guitarist of his generation. It combines powerful vocals, heartfelt guitar solos, and collaborations with legendary blues musicians, creating a timeless record cherished by fans and guitar enthusiasts alike.
📀 Album Credits
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Artist: Gary Moore
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Title: Still Got the Blues
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Type: Studio album
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Released: March 1990
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Label: Virgin Records
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Producer: Ian Taylor, Gary Moore
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Recorded at: Musicland Studios (Munich), Red Deer Studio (Germany)
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Genre: Blues rock, electric blues, melodic blues
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Length: 53:55
Personnel:
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Gary Moore: guitars, lead vocals
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Don Airey: keyboards
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Andy Pyle: bass
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Graham Walker: drums
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Albert King: lead guitar & vocals on “The Blues Is Alright”
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Albert Collins: lead guitar & vocals on “Too Tired”
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George Harrison: slide guitar on “That’s Why I Play the Blues” (international edition)
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Guest musicians: A mix of blues legends contributing guitar and vocals
The album features an all-star blues lineup, giving it authenticity and depth.
🎶 Tracklist
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Oh Pretty Woman – 4:55 (cover of A.C. Williams / Albert King classic)
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Still Got the Blues (For You) – 6:28
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Walking By Myself – 3:30
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King of the Blues – 4:12
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The Blues Is Alright – 5:05 (feat. Albert King)
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Too Tired – 5:45 (feat. Albert Collins)
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Moving On – 4:30
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Texas Strut – 5:12
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That’s Why I Play the Blues – 5:15
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As the Years Go Passing By – 5:58
The album is a blend of original compositions and blues standards, with Moore’s guitar work at the forefront of every track.
🎸 Notable Songs
🔥 “Still Got the Blues (For You)”
The title track and signature song, featuring heartfelt lyrics and soulful solos. This track became Moore’s most iconic blues ballad, defining his new musical direction.
🎶 “The Blues Is Alright”
A collaboration with Albert King, showcasing genuine blues guitar interplay and Moore’s reverence for traditional blues masters.
🎵 “Too Tired”
A powerful blues duet with Albert Collins, featuring expressive guitar solos and raw emotional intensity.
💖 “Oh Pretty Woman”
A bluesy cover featuring Moore’s blues phrasing and vocal interpretation, opening the album with energy and authenticity.
🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia
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🎸 Career Shift: This album marked Moore’s full transition from hard rock to blues, influencing his future output in the 1990s and 2000s.
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🔊 Legendary Collaborations: Featuring Albert King and Albert Collins, the album gained credibility among blues purists and guitar enthusiasts.
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📀 Commercial Success: The album reached No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart and achieved gold and platinum certifications in multiple countries, revitalizing Moore’s career.
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🎵 Guitar Technique: Moore utilized emotive bends, sustained vibrato, and melodic phrasing, showcasing his evolution from technical rock solos to expressive blues storytelling.
💡 Did You Know?
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“Still Got the Blues (For You)” was Moore’s breakthrough blues single, widely considered a modern blues classic.
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The album was inspired by Moore’s admiration for classic blues artists like B.B. King, Albert King, and Albert Collins, whom he invited to collaborate.
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Moore recorded the album with a focus on live-feel performances, minimizing overdubs to capture the spontaneity of traditional blues.
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The international edition included George Harrison on slide guitar, adding a unique flavor for Beatles fans and blues enthusiasts alike.
📊 Legacy & Impact
Still Got the Blues is a landmark album in Gary Moore’s career, defining him as a blues-rock guitarist of world-class caliber. The album successfully merged emotional depth with technical mastery, and its commercial and critical success reaffirmed Moore’s relevance in the 1990s music scene.
The record influenced a generation of blues and rock guitarists, demonstrating that a rock musician could pivot to authentic blues while maintaining commercial appeal. Songs like “Still Got the Blues (For You)” and collaborations with Albert King and Albert Collins are still celebrated as highlights of modern blues guitar.
