Search - Ian Moore :: Via Satellite

Ian Moore's Got More Than Just The Green Grass

01/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although some blues purists might not, I applaud Moore for freeing himself of the just-another-blues-rock persona that constricted his talent. I chose "Via Satellite" as the top album for 2001, a piece that's so much more inspired than anything on the radio these days. Moore and his band leap from the starting gate and turn in an inspired, muscular performance. No longer a white-boy blues man, Moore will not get lost in the landscape due to his original, biting sound. His employment of soul, R&B, gospel and other genres on the disc keep repeated listenings fresh, and the live versions surpass the studio originals. And what a voice! His guitar is great, taking on a meatier sound than the studio-friendly fretwork of other guitarists. And besides, how many other singers can slip in and out of falsetto without a hint of a voice crack? Ian Moore's the man. Buy the CD."

Ian's BEST work yet!

spam | 10/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A true musical journey of fresh textures, and supremely smart music. It is Mr. Moore's smartest album yet. This is a record with teeth and groove. Via Satelite accurately captures Moore's tightest band yet in a zenith one night performance at Houston's Sitelite Lounge.
Long time keyboard player Bukka Allen, George Reiff on bass and new comer Chris Searles behind the drums is without exception the best canvas upon which Moore paints a vivid picture of psychedelic soul, smokey dynamics and fat grooves (reflection and wonder, pain and joy) while consecrating fresh arrangements of his songs the way they truly need to be heard! Guest pedal steel player and trumpeteer, Paul Brainard from the Portland band Richmond Fontaine adds rich texture to the mix and makes "Room 229" and "Angelyne" an absolute sonic delight! Oh the sound, - thick, very thick. You will never want to hear these songs any other way.
The drumming on this record really grooves in a what seems best described as a smokey, soulful way that complements the arrangments and paces it right along. A lot of the songs benefit from the more uptempo pace, especially "Coming Around." Something that "and all the colors" could have used, a little more Ummp. This record, Via Satelite, definitely has the Ummp. Forget the milk and sharpen your teeth. This one has meat. If you really apprecite MUSIC, not flashy deedely-deedely wah-wah guitar acrobatics and empty musical masturbation, but real fat MUSIC, your ears will delight in the experience of "Via Satelite. This is without a doubt, the music lover's music.
Amen."

Ian Moore's new clothes

Hugh S Richardson | Bozeman, MT United States | 07/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I titled this review Ian Moore's new clothes, because, as the reviews of his other work describe, he has shifted styles quite a ways since his earlier days, and this album captures his current incarnation very nicely. In short, he's now a rock and roll animal, but still well informed by jazz/blues/gospel and even a smoky lounge feel at times. Its a live album, recorded just before New Year 2001. Most of the songs are from And All the Colors, and are not all that different from the album versions. Well ok, the rendition of Leary's Gate is the most intense few minutes of music since Sunday Bloody Sunday or Achilles' Last Stand. Damn. There are a couple of older songs that now sound like they were meant to sound. The highlight for me is the opener, Today. The lyrics seem to be a contemplation of his own funeral, looking forward to looking back, perhaps. This live version is a fleshed out, rocked out version of the original. It starts quietly, and gradually builds into a restrained frenzy, if that makes any sense! Its fluid and powerful and beautiful, just great. The other (more) noteworthy song is Diablito, Muddy Jesus dressed in those new clothes. The current version is a swaggering rock song, with intelligent lyrics, and a rather cool nod to Depeche Mode in the middle. I just listened to the original version, and the contrast explains Ian Moore's change in direction, and musical evolution, pretty clearly! Sometimes I think Ian Moore is sounding a bit like what U2 might have sounded like if they'd been born in Texas, and knew something about music :) If you like intelligent, musically sophisticated rock and roll then this will make you happy."