The Blues have been around for a very long time. Every once and a while, a few gifted musicians come along who make us sit up and take notice.
Still Got The Blues
I recently discovered these amazing Aussie artists—Vanessa Amorosi featuring Orianthi—playing Still Got The Blues (Live at The Hotel Cafe). They’re backed by keyboardist Carey Frank and drummer Charlie Paxson.
The only person I was familiar with was the brilliant guitarist Orianthi. I had not heard of Vanessa Amorosi before. She can really sing the blues! What a perfect pairing!!
After hearing their awesome performance I searched for the original and discovered Gary Moore, another amazing musician! Impressed with both, I had to create this post.
Still Got the Blues (For You) by Northern Irish guitarist Gary Moore was originally released in 1990 as the title track for what would become his multi-million-selling eponymous album. It was a return to the Blues music of his youth. He died at 58. (April 04, 1952 – February 06, 2011)
The Gary Moore Society posted this mind-blowing performance of what did become his most popular song: Gary Moore – Still Got The Blues, An Evening of the Blues / Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 1990.
Getting the blues from unrequited love
Speaking of getting the blues from unrequited love, one song I remember from my youth was Since I Fell for You sung by Lenny Welch. He really expressed that kind of emotional pain, something most teenagers could identify with at the time.
Originally written as a blues ballad by Buddy Johnson in 1945, it was first popularized by his sister, Ella Johnson, with Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra. A version by Annie Laurie with Paul Gayten and His Trio in 1947 led to its eventual establishment as a jazz and pop standard.
The biggest hit version, arranged and conducted by Archie Bleyer, was the Lenny Welch recording of it in 1963, reaching No 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and No 3 on the Easy Listening chart.
Gary Moore’s friendship with George Harrison
While doing research for this post I discovered two interesting videos that revealed Gary Moore’s friendship with George Harrison. George said they were neighbors, and that he was impressed with Gary’s playing.
In this 1990 Countedown interview, George mentioned when he and Jeff Lynn were producing a recording in his home studio it needed a particular style guitar solo. It would take them a while to do it. So George called up Gary who came over and nailed it in 5 minutes. It turned out to be the lead guitar riff for The Traveling Wilburys playing She’s My Baby!
In the other video, George introduces Gary who plays While My Guitar Gently Weeps with him at the April 6, 1992 concert he had organized for the Natural Law Party in Royal Albert Hall. Among the many musicians who supported George that evening were Ringo, Joe Walsh, and Tom Petty with his band. For more details see Remembering George Harrison: Watch Final Full Concert At Royal Albert Hall In 1992.
Listen to another great British guitarist who left us: The virtuosity and versatility of Jeff Beck was unique among rock guitarists. One of the best!
Another great British musician also left us unexpectedly a few months earlier: Rock’s Songbird—Christine McVie—has flown free.
For more musicians check the Archive of the ‘Music’ Category on The Uncarved Blog.
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