Empty rooms - Gary Moore

Gary Moore wrote 'Parisienne walkways' together with Phil Lynnott. It was released as a single in May 1979, and it reached number 8 in the UK singles chart. A live track was recorded in 1985, during a live concert of Gary Moore with guest vocals by Phil Lynnott.

The live version of 'Parisienne walkways' appears in this limited edition double single of 'Empty rooms', a track released by Gary Moore in the summer of 1985. It could be the best seven minutes of live music ever recorded: with those vocals, the amazing guitar work of Moore and a very responsive audience, it is always a pleasure to hear this.

My collection: 7" single no. 5261
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Empty rooms (Summer '85 version)' / 'Out of my system' // 'Parisienne walkways (live)' / 'Murder in the skies (live)'

Let it be - Ferry Aid

I don't really know why - well it probably was a lack of funds - but I never bought the 12" single of Ferry Aid's 'Let it be' despite being a fan of several artists on this record. 23 years later, I finally managed it and what a pleasant surprise this disc holds...

The remixed version of 'Let it be' starts with the part of Kate Bush, so basically it starts on a high. It's very interesting to hear a different sequence of artists in the 12" mix.

My collection: 12" single no. 545
Found: discogs.com, received May 18, 2010
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Let it be [12" remix]' / 'Let it be (Mega message mix)'

Let it be - Ferry Aid

On March 6, 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise - a ferry between Zeebrugge in Belgium and Dover in England - capsized, which killed 193 passengers and crew. The Sun newspaper, which had sold cheap tickets for the ferry on that day, quickly organized a recording of a charity recording. The song 'Let it be' was performed by an impressive array of artists, recorded on March 14, 15 and 16 at PWL studios. The recording was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman.

Contributing artists were, in order of appearance: Paul McCartney, Boy George, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Nick Kamen, Paul King, Mark King, Taffy, Andy Bell, Pepsi & Shirley, Mel & Kim, Jaki Graham, Mark Knopfler (guitar solo), Gary Moore (guitar solo), Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw, Edwin Starr, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Ruby Turner and Kate Bush. The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists, including Bonnie Tyler, Errol Brown, Hazel O'Connor, The Nolans, Rick Astley, Jim Diamond, Doctor and the Medics, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Mandy Smith, Su Pollard, Maxi Priest and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Go West, The Alarm and Bucks Fizz.

The single made number 1 in the UK singles chart and also topped the charts in Switzerland and Norway. In the Dutch Top 40, Ferry Aid reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 575
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'Let it be (Gospel Jam mix)'

Still got the blues (for you) - Gary Moore

'Still got the blues' is a 1990 album by guitarist Gary Moore. Prior to this album Moore's work had consisted of predominantly rock and hard rock styles including his work with Skid Row, Thin Lizzy, G-Force as well as a large repertoire of solo work. This album, as evidenced by its title, is a departure from hard rock to an electric blues style.

'Still got the blues' has been arguably the most successful of Moore's solo albums as it was well received by old fans and also converted many who had never heard of the Irish guitarist before. Part of the success was caused by the title track, which was released as a single in early 1990. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1241
Found: June 9, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Still got the blues' / 'Left me with the blues'

Empty rooms - Gary Moore

'Empty rooms' was re-released in 1985 after an earlier release in 1984 failed to chart. The track was slightly remixed and called the 'Summer 1985 version'.

It seemed to be a successful strategy: this time around, the single actually charted and reached number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 341
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Empty rooms (Summer 1985 version)' / 'Out of my system'

Out in the fields - Gary Moore and Phil Lynott

Gary Moore and Phil Lynott were childhood friends before they both became band members with Thin Lizzy. After the band broke up, they both pursued solo careers, but in 1985, they recorded 'Out in the fields' together, a song about the religious turmoil in their native Ireland.

The song is reminiscent of the sound of their band and draws many influences from both artists' wide musical palettes. It performed well critically as well as commercially, reaching number 3 in the Irish Singles Chart and number 5 in the UK Singles Chart. It was also to be the last known recording made by Phil Lynott before his untimely death on 4 January 1986.

My collection: 7" single no. 3076
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Out in the fields' / 'Military man'