Introduced as an inspirational guitarist in his own right, Gary Moore comes out swinging on Blues For Jimi, a CD, DVD and Blu-ray set from Eagle Rock recorded and filmed at the Hippodrome in London on October 25, 2007 as part of the launch for the Jimi Hendrix Live At Monterey program. It seems like every guitarist in the world has attempted to replicate the indescribable style, tone and feel of Jimi Hendrix. With little effort and a twinkle in his eye, Moore does one helluva job serving the spirit and energy of these classic songs.
Together with bassist Dave Bronze and drummer Darrin Mooney, Moore blazes through “Purple Haze,” “Foxy Lady,” “The Wind Cries Mary,” and several others, hitting every nuance right down to Moore switching from his Fender Stratocaster to a Gibson Flying V, axes famously used by Hendrix. Moore attacks which ever guitar he’s holding and lets loose at every break. The rhythm section is as solid as can be, but not constant as Moore is joined by two former band mates of the Hendrix Experience, drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Billy Cox, for a stirring take on “Red House,” with both the guitarist and bassist exchanging verses and solos.
Cox takes the lead vocalist on “Stone Free” as Moore flies off the hook with another rip-roaring solo. After Mitchell does a final tune-up, he and Cox finish up their portion of the set with “Hey Joe.” Bronze and Mooney return, and together with Moore unleash an incredible take of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” to end the night. Aside from the top-notch musicianship, there’s the historical significance of the late Mitch Mitchell, who passed a year later in 2008, and Gary Moore, sadly departed in 2011, playing together to celebrate the music of yet another one we lost way too soon. Blues For Jimi is as much of a tribute to them as it is to Hendrix.
~ Shawn Perry
