Oh Pretty Woman

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to Oh Pretty Woman by Gary Moore from his iconic album Still Got the Blues! This track, a cover of the 1966 Albert King original written by A.C. Williams, is a fiery blues-rock rendition that showcases Moore’s searing guitar work. One juicy piece of trivia is that the song features the legendary Albert King himself as a guest artist, trading licks with Moore in a blistering display of blues mastery. The collaboration was a dream come true for Moore, who was heavily influenced by King’s raw, emotive style. In a 1990 interview with Guitarist magazine, Moore shared that recording with King was a career highlight, saying, “To have Albert on my record was unreal—he’s one of the reasons I play the way I do.” The song’s gritty energy and soulful swagger make it a standout, and it’s no wonder it’s been covered by acts like Big Blues Revival and Seppo Valjakka, cementing its place in blues history.

Another fascinating tidbit about Oh Pretty Woman comes from its recording process. Moore, known for his meticulous approach, chosepry chose to record the vocals for the track using a Shure Beta 58 supercardioid dynamic microphone directly in the control room, rather than in a traditional vocal booth. This unconventional choice, as noted in a fr.wikipedia.org entry, gave the vocals a raw, live feel that perfectly matched the song’s bluesy vibe. The track’s lyrics, with lines like “Oh, pretty woman sure’s the rising sun,” capture a playful yet pleading tone, and Moore’s soulful delivery elevates the song into a timeless anthem. Fans on the Gary Moore Fan Club Facebook group often rave about how Moore’s version outshines even Roy Orbison’s classic take, with one fan posting in 2023, “Gary’s guitar on Oh Pretty Woman is pure fire—nobody does it like him!”

Gary Moore, born Robert William Gary Moore on April 4, 1952, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was a prodigy who picked up the guitar at age eight. Despite being naturally left-handed, he taught himself to play right-handed, inspired by blues-rock giants like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and especially Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac. Moore’s career kicked off in the late 1960s when he joined the Irish band Skid Row (not to be confused with the American band), where he played alongside future Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott. His talent caught the eye of Peter Green, who helped Skid Row secure a record deal after a standout performance opening for Fleetwood Mac in Dublin. Moore’s time with Skid Row led to two albums, and by the mid-1970s, he was in high demand as a session player and a member of Thin Lizzy, appearing on albums like Black Rose. His solo career took off with the 1979 hit Parisienne Walkways, a slow-burning ballad that became his signature song.

Moore’s journey from Belfast to global stages was marked by versatility. He dabbled in jazz fusion with Colosseum II, hard rock, and heavy metal in the 1980s, but his 1990 return to blues with Still Got the Blues was a defining moment. The album, featuring Oh Pretty Woman, became his biggest commercial success, hitting number 13 on the UK charts and earning platinum status. Moore’s official website, gary-moore.com, offers a deep dive into his discography and legacy, though it’s more of an archival tribute since his passing in 2011. Fans can connect on social media via the Official Gary Moore Facebook page, which shares rare photos and updates, or follow the Gary Moore Official Instagram for throwback content. On X, the fan-run account @GaryMooreFan posts tributes and clips, like a 2025 post celebrating the 35th anniversary of Still Got the Blues. For community vibes, check out the Gary Moore Fan Club website or join the Gary Moore Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can geek out with fellow devotees.