GARY MOORE – Back On The Streets [Japan SHM-CD remastered] [Limited Release] Out of print

“Back On The Streets” is another of the reissues by Universal Music Japan of nine rock masterpieces from GARY MOORE, featuring cardboard sleeve cover artwork, the high-fidelity SHM-CD format and the latest remastered sound. The album has been remastered by Rock Candy as well – excellent sound – posted at 0dayrox some time ago, so you can compare both versions.
“Back On The Streets” is best known for one of Gary Moore’s milestones, the song “Parisienne Walkways” which reached the UK Top 10 single charts and features Phil Lynott. The album also includes a hot cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Don’t Believe A Word”.

Gary Moore’s first solo album post Thin Lizzy, in hindsight demonstrates the musical crossroads he was at the time and so many points of the rock compass are covered.
Opening and title track still solidly stands the test of time, a rousing hard rocking anthem. A nod to Thin Lizzy is contained in the second track which is a near ballad version of the classic ‘Don’t Believe A Word’ which kicks into the original tempo only in the outro. Phil Lynott sings this (and wrote/co-wrote other two tracks on the record), and this is a must have for classic rock fans.

On the darker and angry “Fanatical Fascists” Moore’s voice is at its most raucous and much less refined than his latter melodic period.
However where I originally didn’t hold much regard for the guitar instrumentals of the melodic ‘Flight of the Snow Moose’ or the heavier driven ‘Hurricane’, age has made me more fully appreciative of their qualities, and Moore’s guitar virtuosity.

Then arrives the album highlight. A Lynott driven vocal, and exquisite guitar playing by Moore on the unforgettable classic ‘Parisienne Walkways’. This still has the power to emotionally move the listener, until the extended note holding element, by Moore which was always keenly anticipated when he played the song in a live setting.
The song incredibly got to #8 in the UK…. imagine a rock guitar near-instrumental charting nowadays?

With all its ‘imperfections’, “Back On The Streets” still is a wonderful showcase of Gary Moore’s talent and Phil Lynott’s presence rise the bar even more.
There’s a deluxe edition out there featuring bonus tracks which is tresurable as well, but this Japanese SHM-CD respected the original edition and artwork.
“Back On The Streets” is a pleasure to re-discover, and if you worn the vinyl LP to death, grab this excellent sounding remastered reissue.

ＵＮＩＶＥＲＳＡＬ ＭＵＳＩＣ ＪＡＰＡＮ ～ UICY-77618
【ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】 BＡＣＫ ＯＮ ＴＨＥ ＳＴＲＥＥＴＳ | ゲイリー・ムーア

01 – Back On The Streets
02 – Don’t Believe A Word
03 – Fanatical Fascists
04 – Flight Of The Snow Moose
05 – Hurricane
06 – Song For Donna
07 – What Would You Rather Bee Or A Wasp
08 – Parisienne Walkways

Gary Moore: guitars, vocals
Phil Lynott: bass, acoustic guitar, percussion, vocals
John Mole: bass
Don Airey: keyboards, organ, piano
Brian Downey: drums, percussion
Simon Phillips: drums, percussion

Out of Print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-77618
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