SIGGI SCHWARZ & Friends – Still Got The Blues [A Tribute To Gary Moore] (2011)

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On 6th February this year, guitar legend Gary Moore died unexpectedly.
Now, South German guitarist Siggi Schwarz is releasing a tribute album which covers the entire spectrum of his work. As Siggi states in the liner notes, Gary Moore was (as with countless other 6-string enthusiasts) his biggest influence and who inspired him to play guitar.

Siggi Schwarz is among the most respected rock guitarists in his country, but he’s far less known outside Germany.
Born in 1958, he played guitar in various bands and now works as producer / songwriter / arranger and has his own band under his moniker, touring Europe and recording.
The man also got excellent contacts in the international music business, so it is no wonder why he has brought to this project some really famous musicians.
On bass is Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Black Sabbath) who was part of Colosseum II with Gary and has also recorded on his album ‘Victims Of The Future’ (1983).
Geoff Whitehorn (Roger Chapman, Procol Harum, Paul Rodgers Band) plays add. guitar,
on drums is Bodo Schopf (Eloy) and Lee Mayall (John Mayall’s nephew) on the saxophone.
Even on a guest solo we hear the master Steve Lukather (Toto).

These studio covers are really well arranged and played, benefited by a stupendous production.
Although the heavy-blues overtones dominates this recording, the hard rock is present as well as in the classic “Over The Hills And Far Away”, where at the end is mixed with a children’s choir giving to this version an interesting effect.
Very well arranged is the Thin Lizzy number “Don’t Believe A Word”. Siggi’s take is oriented as how Gary Moore used to play this song live.
Other highlights are the beautiful renditions to “Over the Hills And Far Away”, “Empty Rooms” and “Parisienne Walkways” where Lukather shines as usual.

Tribute albums had become popular lately, not always artistically successful due to the countless personnel involved.
The good about this one is that Siggi Schwarz & Friends really sounds and feels like a real, compact band. All the musicians involved are top players, giving soul and emotion to these songs. A special note goes to singer Tom Croel, who has done an incredibly good job on this CD.
“Still Got The Blues – A Tribute To Gary Moore” was recorded with a lot of heart and dedication, and technically (production and mix) is impeccable.
Gary Moore would have enjoyed this CD.
Good one.

Tom Croel – Vocals
Siggi Schwarz – Guitars
Geoff Whitehorn – Guitars
Neil Murray – Bass
Romi Schickle – Keyboards
Bodo Schopf – Drums

Steve Lukather – Guitar solo on 6
Lee Mayall – Saxophones
Tamas Füzesi – Additional Violins
Silvia Boenke – Backing vocals
Kids Of E Primary School Ulm – Choir on 10
Philharmonic Orchestra of the City of Ulm – Strings

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