UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore is back with his ninth solo album, which features guest appearances by Rudy Sarzo and Jordan Rudess, with Richie Monica on drums, Michael Bean on bass, John Cassidy (keyboards), and John Pessoni (drums). To my mind there are few really good guitar albums which are worth playing time and again, as guitarists often disappear up in their own backside as they are being so clever and showing off their skills they forget all the actual music basics. But there are some which have stood the test of time, and I can’t imagine an existence without Steve Vai’s ‘Passion and Warfare’ close to hand for example. Truth be told there are very few guitar albums which have grabbed me like that one did when I first heard it 30 years ago, but there is something about this which is making me think that possibly, just possibly, this should be held in the same regard.

Yes, it’s an album full of guitar solos as it’s the guitar which is providing both the melody and the lead lines taking on the roles of both guitarist and singer, but more importantly it is also an album full of songs, and very different songs to boot. Just compare the first two songs on the album. The first, “Funk Bone Jam”, is down and very dirty, while “Same Sun Shines” is in a totally different style with acoustic guitars as support while the lead guitar is delicate and poignant (and there are almost some Eagles moments in the background). “Brother Carlos” is a tribute to Santana, in that Latin style, while “Gainesville Station” is dedicated to Steve Gaines, two guitarists who were important to Vinnie when he was first learning to play. The day he heard that Chris Cornell had passed away he went into the studio and wrote and recorded “Mystified”, so it can be seen this is a very personal album to Vinnie and it comes through in the music.

Definitely recommended if you enjoy guitar albums, and even if you don’t, this is still worth seeking out.

Rating: 9/10

Links:
https://vinniemoore.com/