Still Water Runs Deep

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with the smooth grooves of Still Waters Run Deep from Vinnie Moore’s 2022 album Double Exposure, spinning on THE ZOO with your favorite hippie DJs, the Zoo Crew! This track is a standout, blending Southern rock vibes with Moore’s signature guitar finesse. In an interview with VWMusic, Moore shared that crafting this song was a bit of a wrestle—he had so many ideas for the verse section that he couldn’t pick one. He sent three different versions to vocalist Brian Stephenson, who helped make the final call. Moore described their collaboration as a cool back-and-forth, bouncing vocal melodies and lyrics until the song took shape. That creative tug-of-war gave the track its rich, layered feel, with tasty harmonies and a deep, soulful groove that’s perfect for cruising with the top down.

Another tidbit about Still Waters Run Deep comes from its unique place on Double Exposure, which is Moore’s first solo album to feature vocals. As noted in a MetalTalk review, the song carries a Southern twist, with Moore’s guitar work taking a backseat to the vocals but still shining through with his fluid, dexterous style. The album’s vocal tracks, including this one, were born during the lockdown era when Moore started hearing vocal lines in his head while jamming to his demos. He called it a “light bulb moment” in the same MetalTalk interview, deciding to bring in singers like Stephenson to add a new dimension to his music. Zoo Freaks, you can hear that laid-back yet intricate energy in every note, making it a perfect fit for our free-spirited airwaves.

Vinnie Moore, the guitar wizard behind Still Waters Run Deep, kicked off his musical journey in New Castle, Delaware, born on April 14, 1964. According to his Wikipedia page, Moore got his first guitar as a Christmas gift at age 12, sparked by spotting a cool-looking axe in a JCPenney catalog. At first, he didn’t mess with it much, but after starting lessons with local teacher Mary Biddle, he got hooked. A year later, Biddle passed him on to Nick Bucci, a jazz and rock player studying with Pat Martino, who loaded Moore up with theory and exercises to sharpen his skills. By his teens, Moore was gigging in clubs and bars, catching the ear of Shrapnel Records’ Mike Varney through a demo submitted to Guitar Player magazine’s Spotlight column. That connection led to a Pepsi commercial in 1985 (just his hands and playing, though!) and his debut album, Mind’s Eye, in 1986, which sold over 100,000 copies.

Moore’s career took off from there, with stints in Vicious Rumors, a tour with Alice Cooper (including playing on Hey Stoopid), and joining British rock legends UFO in 2003, where he’s been a key player ever since. His solo work, like Double Exposure, shows off his versatility, blending neoclassical shred with blues, funk, and rock. You can keep up with Vinnie Moore through his official website, where you’ll find tour dates and merch. Connect with him on socials at his Facebook page, his Instagram, and his X account for the latest updates. Fans also gather at the Vinnie Moore Official Fan Page on Facebook, with over 22,000 likes, where Zoo Freaks can join the community to share their love for his music. For more on his UFO gigs, check out UFO’s fan site.