Live (Gary Moore album) is a live record by Irish guitarist and vocalist Gary Moore, issued in the mid‑1980s. The album presents performances recorded during Moore’s concert tour that followed the release of his 1984 studio album Victims of the Future.
Background
After the commercial success of Victims of the Future, Moore embarked on a worldwide tour that featured his hard‑rock and blues‑rock repertoire. Selections from several of these concerts were compiled for a live album intended to capture the energy of his stage shows and to provide fans with alternate versions of his well‑known tracks.
Recording and release
The live material was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on 26 February 1984, with additional cuts taken from other dates on the same tour. The album was released in 1986 by 10 Records in the United Kingdom and by Epic Records in the United States. It was issued on vinyl, cassette, and later on compact disc.
Track listing
The original release consisted of the following tracks (order may vary between formats):
- “Out In the Fields” (Moore, Phil Lynott)
- “Victims of the Future”
- “Military Man”
- “Parisienne Walkways” (Moore, Phil Lynott)
- “Cold Day in Hell”
- “The Loner” (Neil Young) – partial credit to the original composer
- “The Mighty Quinn” (Bob Dylan) – live rendition
Note: Specific track ordering and inclusion sometimes differ across regional editions and reissues.
Personnel
- Gary Moore – lead vocals, guitar
- Bob Daisley – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Mick Moore – drums (occasionally credited as “Mick”)
- Neil Carter – keyboards, backing vocals (on selected tracks)
Additional live crew members provided technical support and stage management, though they are generally not listed in the album’s liner notes.
Reception
Contemporary reviews highlighted the album’s vigorous performances and Moore’s dynamic guitar work. Critics noted the strength of the live versions of “Out In the Fields” and “Parisienne Walkways,” stating that they offered a rawer, more immediate feel compared with the studio recordings. The album charted modestly in the United Kingdom and reached a niche audience among hard‑rock and blues‑rock listeners.
Legacy
Live is regarded by fans as a snapshot of Moore’s transitional period, bridging his earlier hard‑rock output with the more blues‑focused direction he would adopt later in his career. The recordings have been reissued in various compilations and box sets, serving as a reference point for the evolution of Moore’s live performance style.
All information presented is drawn from established discographic sources and contemporary music press. No speculative or unverified details are included.
