aaamusic | On 14, May 2013

Rory Gallagher, the legendary Irish guitarist, had three very productive decades in music.  He toured extensively and played the Montreux Jazz Festival five times between 1975 and 1994. On two previous occasions he appeared there with his group Taste.

Two DVDs represent the best of his appearances from 1975 to 1985, together with the complete 1994 performance.  The CD features outstanding moments from the first four performances between 1975 and 1985. Collectively they’re a marvellous opportunity to experience Rory Gallagher in a live setting where he felt most at home.

Rory is captured playing a Stratocaster, various acoustic guitars and an electric sitar on Philby. There are fast paced rocky numbers like Laundromat and Shadowplay and also  excellent blues classics like  Messin’ With The Kid, Pistol Slapper Blues, Banker Blues and Too Much Alcohol.

This is a definitive collection. Rory Gallagher, a modest guitarist whose music was extremely rich and vibrant, also had a dedicated band behind him which was raw, powerful and energetic. His fine electric skills would be warmly welcomed today, but sadly Rory passed away in 1995 aged only 47.

Track Listing

CD 1 : Laundromat (1975), 2. I’m Torn Down (1975), 3. I Take What I Want (1977), 4. Bought And Sold (1977), 5. Do You Read Me (1977), 6. The Last Of The Independents (1979), 7. Off The Handle (1979), 8. The Mississippi Sheiks (1979), 9. Out On The Western Plain (1979), 10. Too Much Alcohol (1979), 11. Shin Kicker (1985), 12. Philby (1985).

DVD 1: 1. Tattoo’d Lady (1975), 2. Garbage Man (1975), 3. Cradle Rock (1975), 4. I’m Torn Down (1975), 5. Laundromat (1975), 6. I Take What I Want (1977),
7. Calling Card (1977), 8. Secret Agent (1977), 9. Bought And Sold (1977), 10. A Million Miles Away (1977), 11. Do You Read Me (1977), 12. Pistol Slapper Blues (1977), 13. Shin Kicker (1979), 14. The Last Of The Independents (1979), 15. The Mississippi Sheiks (1979), 16. Too Much Alcohol (1979), 17. Shadow Play (1979), 18. Bad Penny (1985), 19. Moonchild (1985), 20. Banker’s Blues (1985), 21. Philby (1985), 22. Big Guns (1985).

DVD 2: 1. Continental Op (1994), 2. Moonchild (1994), 3. I Wonder Who (1994), 4. The Loop (1994), 5. Tattoo’d Lady (1994), 6. I Could’ve Had Religion (1994), 7. Ghost Blues (1994), 8. Out On The Western Plain (1994), 9. Medley: Amazing Grace, Walking Blues, Blue Moon Of Kentucky (1994), 10. Off The Handle (1994), 11. Messin’ With The Kid (1994), 12. I’m Ready (1994), 13. Pistol Slapper Blues (1975), 14. Too Much Alcohol (1975) (Bonus Track), 15. Out On The Western Plain (1977) (Bonus Track), 16. Medley: Barley And Grape Rag, Pistol Slapper Blues (Bonus Track), 17. Going To My Hometown (1977) (Bonus Track), 18. Walking Blues (1985) (Bonus Track).

★★★★★

Anthony Weightman