from Darrell at www.blastmagazine.net.

Gary Moon – "Still Moon"

Re-released on Ventana Records in 2002

The Band
Pete Comita
Curley Smith
Gary Moon
Gaylin Walker
Steve Isham


Track By Track

1.) "Still"-This track kicks off with a huge adult orientated rock
lead scale. The musical arrangement for the verse uses keyboard,
bass, and drums as the main instruments. The vocal lines of the
verse are a lot like the pop songs of the mid-eighties. There are
huge backing vocals on the chorus. Gary also incorporates a simple
laid-back electric guitar riff for the chorus. At the end of the
chorus there is a very little guitar harmonic section. The bass line
changes a little for the second pre-verse. If Gary is overdubbing
his vocal lines of the choruses on this track then I can say he has
one hell of a range. The solo keeps the same feel has it did through
the intro.
2.) "Heart of Stone"-This track opens with a heavy metal lead scale.
The guitar arrangement of the verse has a very catchy feel to them.
Vocally Gary sounds like any number of eighties metal bands. Gary
really shows his vocal ability on his vocal screams of the vocal line
on the verses. The bass and drums lock into a solid rhythm section
on this track. The rhythm arrangement changes for the breakdown and
solo section. The solo was very short and very intense.
3.) "State of the Heart"-This track kicks of with a keyboard
arrangement. From right off you can hear the musical hook.
Musically and vocally the verse of this track reminds me a lot
of `Contraband'. Through the verse there is a backing harmony
section, which really adds to the dynamics of the song. The chorus
is very melodic but does not nearly as big of a hook as the verses
do. Vocally this is one of the tracks that really shows Gary's vocal
ability. The bridge builds with intensity for the up and coming
solo. They end the track with a few small lead scales.
4.) "Alayna"-This track opens with a very melodic lead scale. The
twelve-note drum pattern gives this track a real nice sound. The
chorus has a real cool little lead guitar rhythm backing it up.
There is a twin guitar solo, which was a great idea for the song
because of the song being so short lyrically.
5.) "Music Box"-This track opens with one of the best musically
sounding intros I've ever heard. The vocals of the verse sound
turned down and very distant. The verses have an echoed vocal effect
at times. Which gives the vocal lines a haughting sound. I really
liked the musical arrangement for the pre-chorus. There is no solo
and the song is really powerful enough it doesn't need one.
6.) "Call of the Wild"-This intro and vocal line of the verse have a
huge 38 Special feel to them. The band drastically changes the
direction of the song for the chorus. The backing vocals of the
choruses give the song a real thick feel. All in all the song is
pretty straightforward. The breakdown section has a marching effect
drum pattern.
7.) "Queen of the Damned"-This track opens with a drum fill along
with a very standard eighties rock guitar pattern. The keyboard
arrangement of the intro fills in a lot of the dead spots. The vocal
lines of the verse really express Gary's vocal talent. For the
chorus the band changes the rhythm arrangement. For the second verse
there is a small lead solo with scattered lead scales through the
vocal lines. The musical arrangement really changes for the
breakdown solo section with an acoustic guitar pattern. The main
solo is very intense and suits the song very well. At times the
musical and vocally arrangement of the song is very similar to
Autograph.
8.) "Can't Help Falling in Love"-The intro of this track opens with a
hard-hitting drum sound. The musical arrangement is very laid back
with a melodic feel. Vocally the vocal line builds with power as it
progresses to the chorus. Also vocally this track really shows the
many vocal talents of Gary. The band set the solo up perfectly. The
only down fall is it was too short.
9.) "Angels Don't Lie"-This track opens with a very subtle picking
electric guitar pattern. At times the arrangement reminded me of
some of Bon Jovi's b-side material. The chorus vocally is a little
draggy but has one hell of a bass drum pattern. Musical the song is
written and arranged in a very classic rock style.
10.) "One Love"-This track opens with an eighties style guitar intro.
The vocal lines of this track have Gary singing in two different
distinct vocal sounds. On one of those sounds Gary sounds a lot like
the vocalist from Dangerous Toys of the early nineties. The chorus
has a very huge hook within it. You can really hear the background
vocal overdub of Gary's vocals on this song. The solo for the song
was a lot shorter than I expected.
11.) "Love in a Wicked World"-This track kicks off with a very cool
slide riff and lead guitar scales. The main guitar patterns and
vocal lines of the verse are very laid back. The song arrangement is
songwriting 101. The solo was set up and done in a very modern 38
Special style.


Gary Moon should be considered a legend. You just do not play
with such acts as; Frank Zappa, Three Dog Night and Night Ranger
without being one talented musician. "Still Moon" is a collection of
songs re-issued that are songs that he recorded with his former band
The Pack. "Still Moon" is eleven tracks of pure melodic rock.
Vocally Gary has one of the best vocal ranges around. If your into
bands like 38 Special, Jeff Paris, and other groups of that vein.
Then you'll love "Stll Moon".