Rory Gallagher | ||
| Allmusic Biography : For a career that was cut short by illness and a premature death, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Rory Gallagher sure accomplished a lot in the blues music world. Although Gallagher didnt tour the U.S. nearly enough, spending most of his time in Europe, he was known for his no-holds-barred, marathon live shows at clubs and theaters around the United States. Gallagher was born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Irish Republic, on March 2, 1948. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Cork City in the south, and at age nine he became fascinated with American blues and folk singers he heard on the radio. An avid record collector, he had a wide range of influences, including Leadbelly, Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker. Gallagher would always try to mix some simple country blues songs into his recordings. He began his recording career after moving to London, when he formed a trio called Taste. The groups self-titled debut album was released in 1969 in England and later picked up for U.S. distribution by Atco/Atlantic. Between 1969 and 1971, with producer Tony Colton behind the board, Gallagher recorded three albums with Taste before they split up. He began performing under his own name in 1971, releasing his 1970 debut, Rory Gallagher, for Polydor Records in the U.K. The album was picked up for U.S. distribution by Atlantic, and later that year he recorded Deuce, also released by Atlantic in the U.S. His prolific output continued, as he followed up Deuce with Live in Europe (1972) and Blueprint and Tattoo, both in 1973. Irish Tour 1974, like Live in Europe, did a good job of capturing the excitement of his live shows on tape, and he followed that with Calling Card for Chrysalis in 1976, and Photo Finish and Jinx for the same label in 1978 and 1982. By this point. Gallagher had made several world tours, and he took a few years rest from the road. He got back into recording and performing live again with the 1987 release (in the U.K.) of Defender. His last album, Fresh Evidence, was released in 1991 on the Capo/I.R.S. label. Capo was his own record and publishing company that he set up in the hopes of eventually exposing other great blues talents. Some of Gallaghers best work on record wasnt under his own name; its stuff he recorded with Muddy Waters on The London Sessions (Chess, 1972) and with Albert King on Live (RCA/Utopia, 1977). Gallagher made his last U.S. tours in 1985 and 1991, and admitted in interviews that hed always been a guitarist who fed off the instant reaction and feedback a live audience can provide. In a 1991 interview, he said: "I try to sit down and write a Rory Gallagher song, which generally happens to be quite bluesy. I try to find different issues, different themes and different topics that havent been covered before...Ive done songs in all the different styles...train blues, drinking blues, economic blues. But I try to find a slightly different angle on all these things. The music can be very traditional, but you can sort of creep into the future with the lyrics." Gallagher passed away from complications during a liver transplant on June 14, 1995, at age 47. In 2019, to mark what would have been Gallaghers 50th year of recording, his estate released the four-disc anthology Blues, which featured rare and unreleased recordings from 70s to the 90s. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 39 Title: Rory Gallagher Released: 1971 Tracks: 12 Duration: 55:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Laundromat (04:39) 2 Just the Smile (03:40) 3 I Fall Apart (05:12) 4 Wave Myself Goodbye (03:30) 5 Hands Up (05:25) 6 Sinner Boy (05:05) 7 For the Last Time (06:35) 8 It’s You (02:38) 9 I’m Not Surprised (03:36) 10 Can’t Believe It’s You (07:16) 11 Gypsy Woman (04:02) 12 It Takes Time (03:32) |
| Rory Gallagher : Allmusic album Review : Rory Gallaghers solo debut picks up where On The Boards left off - its a solid, but significantly less raucous, blues rock outing with ten original tunes that were far more than skeletons for his incisive Strat picking. "Laundromat," "Hands Up," and "Sinner Boy"s distinctive riffs were early concert favorites, but the albums ballads were some of Gallaghers strongest. "For the Last Time," "Just the Smile" and the acoustic "Im Not Surprised" mixed strains of Delta blues with strong melodic sensibilities into songs of rare poignancy, especially for an artist who was best known for his scorching leads. In this respect Gallagher was an early model for Eric Clapton, whose solo career followed a similar path. Interestingly, Gallagher seems rather restrained throughout his debut, holding back the fret-burning in favor of strong songs. He opens up on the albums jazzy, seven-minute finale "Cant Believe Its You" which even features an alto sax, an instrument Gallagher all but abandoned on later albums. 2000s reissued, remastered version of the disc includes two additional tunes, Muddy Waters slow Delta blues number "Gypsy Woman" and Otis Rushs fast Chicago shuffle "It Takes Time," both cut at the same sessions. "Gypsy Woman"s slashing slide guitar and vocals sound as impassioned any other track; shuffle "It Takes Time" isnt quite as impressive but still shows how comfortable Gallagher is with straight blues. Brother/compiler Donal Gallaghers track notes are short but illuminating, and the remastered sound, although not as vibrant as on later reissues of Gallaghers catalog, is a big improvement over any existing version of this consistently superb album. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 39 Title: Deuce Released: 1971 Tracks: 11 Duration: 51:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Im Not Awake Yet (05:24) 2 Used to Be (05:07) 3 Dont Know Where I’m Going (02:42) 4 Maybe I Will (04:15) 5 Whole Lot of People (04:57) 6 In Your Town (05:47) 7 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (03:36) 8 There’s a Light (05:59) 9 Out of My Mind (03:05) 10 Crest of a Wave (06:00) 11 Persuasion (04:43) |
| Deuce : Allmusic album Review : Released in November 1971, just six months after his solo debut, Rory Gallaghers second album was the summation of all that hed promised in the wake of Tastes collapse, and the blueprint for most of what hed accomplish over the next two years of recording. Largely overlooked by posteritys haste to canonize his next album, Live! In Europe, Deuce finds Gallagher torn between the earthy R&B of "Used to Be," a gritty blues fed through by some viciously unrestrained guitar playing, and the jokey, country-billy badinage of "Dont Know Where Im Going," a too-short snippet that marries Bob Dylan to Ronnie Lane and reminds listeners just how broad Gallaghers sense of humor was. Reflecting the laid-back feel of Rory Gallagher, "Im Not Awake Yet" is a largely acoustic piece driven as much by Gerry McAvoys gutbucket bass as by Gallaghers intricate playing; "Theres a Light", too, plays to Gallaghers sensitive side, while stating his mastery of the guitar across a protracted solo that isnt simply spellbinding in its restraint, it also has the effect of adding another voice to the proceedings. But such notions of plaintive melodicism are utterly exorcised by the moments of highest drama, a sequence that peaks with the closing, broiling "Crest of a Wave." With bass set on stun, the drums a turbulent wall of sound, and Gallaghers guitar a sonic switchblade, its a masterpiece of aggressive dynamics, the sound of a band so close to its peak that you can almost touch the electricity. Of course, that peak would come during 1972-1973 with the albums upon which Gallaghers reputation is today most comfortably set. Deuce, however, doesnt simply set the stage for the future, it strikes the light that ignites the entire firestorm. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 39 Title: Live! In Europe Released: 1972 Tracks: 9 Duration: 59:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Messin With the Kid (06:25) 2 Laundromat (05:12) 3 I Could’ve Had Religion (08:35) 4 Pistol Slapper Blues (02:54) 5 Going to My Home Town (05:46) 6 In Your Town (10:03) 7 What in the World (07:40) 8 Hoodoo Man (06:02) 9 Bullfrog Blues (06:47) |
 | Album: 4 of 39 Title: Blueprint Released: 1973 Tracks: 10 Duration: 52:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Walk on Hot Coals (07:03) 2 Daughter of the Everglades (06:13) 3 Banker’s Blues (04:45) 4 Hands Off (04:31) 5 Race the Breeze (06:54) 6 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (08:25) 7 Unmilitary Two‐Step (02:49) 8 If I Had a Reason (04:28) 9 Stompin Ground (Alt Version 10) (03:31) 10 Treat Her Right (04:00) |
| Blueprint : Allmusic album Review : Kicking off with the furious "Walk on Hot Coals" where Rory Gallaghers stinging guitar and Lou Martins insistent piano pounding spar within the context of one of Rorys classic rockers, the album presents a well rounded picture of Gallaghers eclectic influences. A jaunty, acoustic run through Big Bill Broonzys "Bankers Blues" (oddly credited to Gallagher), the ragtime "Unmilitary Two-Step" as well as an unusually straightforward country tune "If I Had a Reason" with Rory on lap-steel and Martin doing his best honky-tonk, effectively break up the blues-rock that remains the soul of the album. The albums centerpiece, a brooding "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" finds the band locked into a swampy groove for over eight minutes as Gallagher abbreviates his own solo providing room for Martins aggressive piano. On "Hands Off" the guitarist even picks up saxophone, and he shows off his spooky Muddy Waters inspired slide on the train chugging "Race the Breeze," one of the guitarists best tunes. The final two bonus tracks tacked on for this reissue dont add much of interest; an early, shuffle version of "Stompin Ground" lacks the tension of the song that later showed up as the only studio tracks on the live Irish Tour 1974 album, and Roy Heads "Treat Her Right" sounds like a soundcheck warm-up, which it probably was. Concise track-by-track liner notes from Rorys brother Donal provide useful background information, and the remastered sound taken from the original tapes is a revelation, with Gallaghers guitar parts and especially vocals, clear and precise in the spiffed up mix. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 39 Title: Tattoo Released: 1973 Tracks: 10 Duration: 51:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tattoo’d Lady (04:40) 2 Cradle Rock (06:17) 3 20:20 Vision (04:04) 4 They Don’t Make Them Like You Anymore (04:07) 5 Livin’ Like a Trucker (04:22) 6 Sleep on a Clothes‐Line (05:15) 7 Who’s That Coming (07:11) 8 A Million Miles Away (06:57) 9 Admit It (04:21) 10 Tucson, Arizona (03:49) |
| Tattoo : Allmusic album Review : Gallaghers work ethic was in high gear as he somehow found time to write nine more songs in the midst of non-stop touring for his second album released in 1973. Even more astounding is that far from sounding fatigued or burnt out, his performance here is loose and impassioned, and the tunes are some of the best of his career. Lou Martins keyboards are better integrated into the band, and drummer Rod deAth swings and burns with easy confidence. The double whammy of the albums two crunching leadoff tracks, "Tattood Lady" and "Cradle Rock" illustrate just how comfortable Gallagher is with his backing group, and the smooth-rolling unplugged guitar and harmonica of "20-20 Vision" proves that the blues rocker is a more than adequate Delta/folk musician. Better still is the acoustic slide intro to "Whos that Comin" that effortlessly and discretely eases its way into a Chicago styled, mid-tempo, electric attack. "A Million Miles Away" pushes the envelope even further with a slow, greasy swamp groove against which Gallagher picks clipped, staccato notes over a well-oiled rhythm section, thick Hammond organ overdubbed with piano from Martin, and even a multi-tracked sax section from the guitarist. The 2000 reissue adds "Tuscon, Arizona" an unusual acoustic waltz-time country Link Wray cover, and a seemingly unrehearsed driving version of the blues standard "Just a Little Bit" that runs almost eight minutes, and is interesting for about half that. Short but informational track-by-track liner notes from Gallaghers brother Donal and crisp remastered sound makes this an essential purchase for established fans and an excellent place to start for new Rory Gallagher listeners. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 39 Title: Irish Tour ’74 Released: 1974 Tracks: 56 Duration: 6:36:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Messin With the Kid (06:43) 2 Cradle Rock (07:16) 3 I Wonder Who (07:48) 4 Tattoo’d Lady (05:02) 5 Walk on Hot Coals (10:46) 6 Laundromat (08:06) 7 A Million Miles Away (09:18) 8 Hands Off (11:11) 9 Too Much Alcohol (07:47) 1 As the Crow Flies (06:09) 2 Pistol Slapper Blues (03:24) 3 Unmilitary Two-Step (02:16) 4 Bankers Blues (03:17) 5 Going to My Hometown (07:58) 6 Whos That Coming (09:17) 7 In Your Town (16:14) 1 Cradle Rock (07:39) 2 Tattood Lady (04:35) 3 Hands Off (07:47) 4 Walk on Hot Coals (11:37) 5 Laundromat (05:32) 6 Too Much Alcohol (08:27) 7 A Million Miles Away (09:30) 1 As the Crow Flies (05:46) 2 Pistol Slapper Blues (03:16) 3 Bankers Blues (03:07) 4 Unmilitary Two-Step (03:15) 5 Going to My Hometown (06:27) 6 In Your Town (19:37) 7 Bullfrog Blues (10:58) 1 Messin With the Kid (07:41) 2 Cradle Rock (07:17) 3 I Wonder Who (06:18) 4 Tattood Lady (05:19) 5 Walk on Hot Coals (09:14) 6 Hands Off (05:30) 7 A Million Miles Away (09:09) 8 Laundromat (07:47) 1 As the Crow Flies (05:48) 2 Pistol Slapper Blues (03:37) 3 Unmilitary Two-Step (02:52) 4 Bankers Blues (03:27) 5 Going to My Hometown (05:50) 6 Whos That Coming (07:14) 7 In Your Town (17:29) 8 Bullfrog Blues (11:39) 1 Maritime (The Edgar Lustgarden Cut) (02:32) 2 I Want You / Raunchy (Medley) (03:49) 3 Treat Her Right (04:11) 4 I Wonder Who (05:58) 5 Too Much Alcohol (07:01) 6 Just a Little Bit (08:17) 7 I Cant Be Satisfied (04:07) 8 Accoustic (Medley) (01:29) 9 Back on My Stompin Ground (After Hours) (06:12) 10 Stompin Ground (Alternate version) (06:31) |
| Irish Tour ’74 : Allmusic album Review : The companion piece to director Tony Palmers documentary of the same name, Irish Tour was recorded in January 1974 in Belfast, Dublin, and Cork at a time when precious few performers -- Irish or otherwise -- were even dreaming of touring the trouble-torn island. Northern Ireland, in particular, was a rock & roll no-go area, but Gallagher never turned his back on the province and was rewarded with what history recalls as some of his best-ever gigs. Irish Tour, in turn, captures some of his finest known live recordings and, while its impossible to tell which songs were recorded where, across nine in-concert recordings (plus one after-hours jam session, "Back on My Stompin Ground"), the energy crackling from stage to stalls and back again packs an intensity that few live albums -- Gallaghers others among them -- can match. Highlights of a stunning set include dramatic takes on Muddy Waters "I Wonder Who" and Tony Joe Whites "As the Crow Flies," a raw acoustic rendering that is nevertheless totally electrifying. A frustratingly brief snip of the classic Shadows-style "Maritime" (aka "Just a Little Bit") plays the album out in anthemic style and then, of course, theres "Walk on Hot Coals," a marathon excursion that posterity has decreed Gallaghers most popular and accomplished statement -- a status that Irish Tour does nothing to contradict. Its foolish playing favorites, however. Even more than Gallaghers earlier Live in Europe album from 1972, Irish Tour confirms Gallagher not simply as the greatest bluesman Ireland ever knew, but as one of the islands greatest-ever performers. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 39 Title: In The Beginning - An Early Taste Of Rory Gallagher Released: 1974 Tracks: 7 Duration: 25:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Wee Wee Baby (02:41) 2 How Many More Years (03:18) 3 Take It Easy Baby (06:59) 4 Youve Got To Pay (03:53) 5 Worried Man (02:32) 6 Norman Invasion (03:02) 7 Pardon Me Mister (02:45) |
 | Album: 8 of 39 Title: Against the Grain Released: 1975 Tracks: 12 Duration: 49:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Let Me In (04:03) 2 Cross Me Off Your List (04:27) 3 Aint Too Good (03:56) 4 Souped-Up Ford (06:25) 5 Bought and Sold (03:26) 6 I Take What I Want (04:24) 7 Lost at Sea (04:06) 8 All Around Man (06:15) 9 Out on the Western Plain (03:54) 10 At the Bottom (03:20) 11 Cluney Blues (02:13) 12 My Baby, Sure (02:55) |
| Against the Grain : Allmusic album Review : After releasing two albums in 1973 and a live, contract-fulfilling disc in 1974, Gallagher returned rested and recharged in 1975 with a new record label, Chrysalis, and a band with almost three years of hard touring under their belts. With its attention to detai, Against the Grain sounds more practiced and intricate than most of Gallaghers previous studio discs, but still includes some of his most powerful rockers. The supercharged "Souped-Up Ford," where Rory howls and wails, with his voice and smoking slide, and "All Around Man," an urgent blues rocker that begins with Gallagher screaming and crying together with just his electric guitar until the band kicks in with a stop-start blues rhythm, are two of the definitive moments. "Bought and Sold" adds congas to the mix to bring a more rootsy and even jazzy feel to Rorys table. But its on the acoustic tracks where the guitarist and his band really lay into the groove. Gallaghers version of Leadbellys "Out On the Western Plain," with its combination of Indian chords, American Delta folk and cowboy "yippee-ki-yay" chorus is one of the Irishmans unheralded highlights, and "Cross Me Off Your List" is affecting in its yearning melody, subtle keyboard and minor key. A playful and forceful romp through Sam and Daves "I Take What I Want" shows Gallaghers soul roots. Two bonus tracks from the 2000 reissue and recorded at these sessions are country based jams, but neither is particularly impressive. Not his best album, Against the Grain is still prime period Rory Gallagher. Its well-rounded menu of country, Delta blues, and blues-rock is indicative of his approach; though few of these songs became classics in the guitarists extensive catalog, theyre far more mature and eclectic than most blues-rock bands best work. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 39 Title: Calling Card Released: 1976 Tracks: 9 Duration: 45:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Do You Read Me (05:20) 2 Country Mile (03:18) 3 Moonchild (04:47) 4 Calling Card (05:24) 5 I’ll Admit You’re Gone (04:26) 6 Secret Agent (05:46) 7 Jackknife Beat (07:05) 8 Edged in Blue (05:31) 9 Barley & Grape Rag (03:39) |
| Calling Card : Allmusic album Review : Gallaghers second album for Chrysalis -- and last with his longstanding trio of Lou Martin (keyboards), Rod DeAth (drums) and Gerry McAvoy (bass) -- was a milestone in his career. Although Calling Card was produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover and not surprisingly contained some of his most powerfully driving rockers, tracks like the acoustic "Barley & Grape Rag" and the jazzy, soulful, finger snapping title cut -- a perennial concert favorite -- found the Irish rocker not only exploring other musical paths, but also caught him on one of his most consistent songwriting streaks ever. Even "Do You Read Me," the muscular opening track, is a remarkably stripped-down affair that adds subtle synths to the rugged blues rock that was Gallaghers claim to fame. While "Moonchild," "Country Mile," and "Secret Agent" displayed catchy hooks, engaging riffs, and raging guitar work (the latter adds a touch of Deep Purples Jon Lord-styled organ to the proceedings), its the elegant ballad "Ill Admit Youre Gone" that shifts the guitarist into calmer waters and proves his melodic talent was just as cutting on quieter tunes. And its a crime that the gorgeous "Edged in Blue," certainly one of the artists saddest and most beautiful pop melodies, was overlooked in his catalog. The 1999 reissue sports track-by-track and first person liner notes from Gallaghers brother Donal, crisp remastered sound, and two additional songs not included on previous versions, one of which, "Public Enemy (B-Girl Version)," later appeared on the Photo-Finish album in an inferior performance to this. Arguably Rory Gallaghers finest studio effort, it was among his best and most varied batch of songs, and it is a perfect place for the curious to start their collection as well as an essential disc showing Gallagher at the peak of his powers. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 39 Title: The Best Years Released: 1976 Tracks: 9 Duration: 45:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Tatoo’d Lady (04:44) 2 Banker’s Blues (03:38) 3 Used To Be (05:06) 4 Just The Smile (03:41) 5 Going To My Home Town (05:46) 6 Race The Breeze (06:53) 7 Sinner Boy (05:06) 8 Crest Of A Wave (06:00) 9 Admit It (04:25) |
 | Album: 11 of 39 Title: Photo‐Finish Released: 1978-10 Tracks: 11 Duration: 50:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Shin Kicker (04:02) 2 Brute Force & Ignorance (04:16) 3 Cruise on Out (04:42) 4 Cloak & Dagger (05:21) 5 Overnight Bag (04:52) 6 Shadow Play (04:45) 7 The Mississippi Sheiks (06:01) 8 The Last of the Independants (03:58) 9 Fuel to the Fire (06:21) 10 Early Warning (02:51) 11 Juke Box Annie (03:17) |
| Photo‐Finish : Allmusic album Review : Remixed and expanded (with two additional tracks recorded but chopped off the vinyl version) for its debut on CD in 1999, this is a sturdy, workmanlike Rory Gallagher release. Reverting back to a trio, Gallagher toughens up his sound and blazes through some robust blues rockers like "Last of the Independents," "Shadow Play," and "Brute Force & Ignorance" (one of his best hard rock riffs) with nervy energy. Gallaghers swampy side emerges on "Cloak & Dagger," another song that explores his fascination with B-movie gumshoes, a common theme for the Irish blues-rocker. His guitar work is typically excellent throughout, especially on "Overnight Bag," as he overdubs himself on acoustic. Still, the album has a samey feel due to some of the songwriting not being quite up to snuff, and a few tracks, like the moody, slow-burning "Fuel to the Fire," stretched well past its breaking point to over six minutes. Of the two additional tunes, "Early Warning" is a typically rugged chunky rocker, and "Juke Box Annie" explores the guitarists jaunty, slightly funky country style. Neither is essential, but both will be important finds for the Gallagher collector. Brother Dónals liner and track notes are short yet informative, and the sound is an enormous improvement over the original version. There is a remarkable clarity and fullness to the bass, along with a definition that exposes heretofore unheard instruments like the mandolin on "Brute Force..." and handclaps on "Cruise on Out," both previously buried in the mix. Not a great Rory Gallagher album, but a rock-solid one that wont disappoint established fans. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 39 Title: Top Priority Released: 1979 Tracks: 11 Duration: 46:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Follow Me (04:40) 2 Philby (03:51) 3 Wayward Child (03:31) 4 Keychain (04:09) 5 At the Depot (02:56) 6 Bad Penny (04:03) 7 Just Hit Town (03:37) 8 Off the Handle (05:36) 9 Public Enemy No. 1 (03:46) 10 Hell Cat (04:50) 11 The Watcher (05:44) |
| Top Priority : Allmusic album Review : Gallaghers fourth and final studio set for Chrysalis finds the Irish blues-rocker in prime form. Arriving only a year after Photo-Finish, when he spent much of his time on the road, its remarkable that Gallagher could continue to churn out the hook-heavy high-quality tunes he wrote for this album. Playing larger arenas toughened his songs and attack, almost all of which here are high-octane sweaty rockers. While that makes for some thrilling, intense music, the nonstop vibrant energy rush is never balanced out with a ballad or even the rootsy, swampy blues that Gallagher always performed with such authority. So even though the opening charging riff of "Follow Me"; the slower, urging groove of "Keychain"; and the melodic, relatively subtle hard rock of "Bad Penny" were notable inclusions to the Gallagher catalog and his concerts, the lack of acoustic tunes or less aggressive music gives the album a one-note feel. This isnt helped by the two additional tracks added for the 1999 reissue, both of which stay locked in the same basic hard-edged format. That said, Gallagher and his backing duo are in top form, churning through the songs with remarkably crisp energy. Rory is starting to shout more than sing, but his voice was still powerfully expressive, and when he gets excited on the double-time, cranked up "Just Hit Town" as he overdubs his patented guitar lines, the blues-rockers guttural screams make it sound like hes on fire. Gallagher also blows some snarling, overdriven harp for the first time in a while on "Off the Handle," one of the albums moodier tracks, and sounds enthusiastic throughout. Except for the lack of diversity, this remains a strong set from the Irishman, and is highly recommended, especially to his less blues-oriented fans. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 39 Title: Tattoo / Blueprint Released: 1979 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:30:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tattoo’d Lady (04:40) 2 Cradle Rock (06:17) 3 20:20 Vision (04:04) 4 They Don’t Make Them Like You Anymore (04:07) 5 Livin’ Like a Trucker (04:22) 6 Sleep on a Clothes‐Line (05:15) 7 Who’s That Coming (07:11) 8 A Million Miles Away (06:57) 9 Admit It (04:21) 1 Walk on Hot Coals (06:29) 2 Daughter of the Everglades (05:27) 3 Banker’s Blues (04:45) 4 Hands Off (04:31) 5 Race the Breeze (06:54) 6 The Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (07:55) 7 Unmilitary Two‐Step (02:49) 8 If I Had a Reason (04:28) |
| Tattoo / Blueprint : Allmusic album Review : In 1992, Castle released Tattoo/Blueprint, which contained two complete albums -- Tattoo, originally released on Polydor in 1980, and Blueprint, originally released on Polydor also in 1973 -- by Irish blues rocker Rory Gallagher together on one compact disc. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 39 Title: Stage Struck Released: 1980 Tracks: 10 Duration: 51:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Shin Kicker (03:58) 2 Wayward Child (04:31) 3 Brute Force and Ignorance (04:10) 4 Moonchild (06:03) 5 Bad Penny (06:39) 6 Keychain (05:03) 7 Follow Me (05:57) 8 Bought and Sold (04:38) 9 The Last of the Independents (05:39) 10 Shadow Play (05:06) |
| Stage Struck : Allmusic album Review : Guitarist Gallaghers third officially released live album (during his lifetime) captures him on a grinding world tour in 1979 and 1980, pumping out blues-rockers with requisite aggression, yet none of the charm and subtlety that made his previous concert recordings so essential. The song selection is weak as it concentrates on lesser tracks from his late-70s collections, but more problematically, the Irishman sounds like hes rushing the tunes and generally playing too loud. The arrangements bludgeon the songs behind a Wall of Sound, as Rory spits, rather than sings the lyrics, shouting above the crashing fray. This is particularly true of "Bad Penny," one of two newly added tracks for the revised 2000 edition, where Gallagher growls out the words as if they had little or no meaning, then shifts into a reggae beat that adds nothing to this version of one of his better tracks. While the live shows might have gone down well on-stage, when theyre transferred to album, the excitement is lost, and instead of Gallaghers classy, snappy, eclectic mix of blues, folk, and rock, Stage Struck sounds like plodding, second-rate Bad Company or Foghat. Where both previous live discs added a few acoustic tunes as well as digging into deep blues to vary the sound and show Gallaghers versatility, this one stays firmly rooted in straightforward sluggish rock, with precious little roll. All the songs push the five-minute mark, but none have the sizzle and compactness of Gallaghers best work. He sounds like hes going though the motions for the first time in his career, making this a below par, if not quite valueless document. The two additional tunes total about 11 minutes, but the disc is at least 20 minutes short of its potential playing time. Surely there must have been other tapes from this tour of better quality to tack on here. In any case, this is a disappointing reminder that even the best artists can release inferior work. For prime live Gallagher, stick with either 1972s peppy Live in Europe, the blistering Irish Tour 74, or the terrific posthumous release BBC Sessions. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 39 Title: Jinx Released: 1982 Tracks: 11 Duration: 47:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Big Guns (03:33) 2 Bourbon (04:06) 3 Double Vision (05:07) 4 The Devil Made Me Do It (02:53) 5 Signals (04:46) 6 Jinxed (05:03) 7 Easy Come Easy Go (05:48) 8 Nothin’ but the Devil (03:12) 9 Ride On Red, Ride On (04:36) 10 Lonely Mile (04:39) 11 Loose Talk (04:08) |
| Jinx : Allmusic album Review : Rory Gallagher sounds inspired throughout JInx, gamely leading new drummer Brendan ONeill and keyboardist Bob Andrews through the blues-rock paces, even though the guitarists personal fortunes were on a downslide from which they would never recover. "Big Guns" and "Bourbon," the albums opening selections find Rory in full fiery form, tossing out muscular guitar lines and fiery solos with descriptive lyrics catering to his infatuation with American gangsters. The album also features two of his best, and least known, songs in the spooky, paranoid title track, complete with simmering sax section, boiling tom-tom drums as well as his own stealthy harmonica, and "Easy Come Easy Go," a beautiful, bluesy ballad where Rory double tracks his acoustic and electric guitars. Gallaghers tough vocals take on a new emotional depth not previously heard, and are particularly poignant throughout. Diving into the blues, Lightnin Slims "Nothin but the Devil," one of the two songs added for this reissue, is an acoustic solo showpiece revealing Gallaghers delta roots and substantial slide abilities. Louisiana Reds "Ride On Red, Ride On" is a crackling double-time burner with Rory charging through with an appropriately whisky-soaked approach and a shimmering electric slide solo. Another extra track, "Lonely Mile," a finished tune previously omitted due to the time restrictions of vinyl, is a worthy addition to Gallaghers mid-tempo grinding rocker catalog. Although not his best album, Jinx is a tough and confident release, and its 2000 reappearance after being difficult to find for almost 20 years, especially in this pristine edition, is reason to rejoice for Rory Gallagher fans. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 39 Title: Defender Released: 1987 Tracks: 12 Duration: 55:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Kickback City (04:49) 2 Loanshark Blues (04:29) 3 Continental Op (04:34) 4 I Ain’t No Saint (05:00) 5 Failsafe Day (04:25) 6 Road to Hell (05:31) 7 Doing Time (04:08) 8 Smear Campaign (04:49) 9 Don’t Start Me to Talkin’ (03:37) 10 Seven Days (05:15) 11 Seems to Me (04:54) 12 No Peace for the Wicked (04:06) |
| Defender : Allmusic album Review : Released five years after his last effort (an eternity for the prolific Irish blues guitar slinger who had been churning out at least an album a year throughout the 70s), Defender is another quality blues-rock offering. Although Gallagher is in fine tough form here and it was his debut release for his own indie label, there is little difference between this and some of his less stellar 70s albums like Top Priority and Photo-Finish. The pounding, guitar-heavy opener "Kickback City" sounds more like hairy rockers Bad Company than anything approaching the deep Chicago and country blues Gallagher dearly loved. The quality picks up substantially as the volume subsides on "Loanshark Blues," but by-the-books crunch-rockers like "Failsafe Day" and the unfortunately titled "Road to Hell" dont bode well for Gallagher moving out from an increasingly formulaic pigeonhole. There are a few corkers here like "Continental Op," a blazing riff that stands with Gallaghers best work and revisits his familiar cloak-and-dagger theme. The swampy, less abrasive "I Aint No Saint" also pushes the quality up a few notches, as does his gritty version of Sonny Boy Williamsons "Dont Start Me to Talking," the bluesiest song on the disc and one of the few times he pulls out his greasy slide. "Seven Days" is the lone acoustic track and its a good one, with piano and harp accompaniment and Gallagher singing like he means it as he takes the part of a criminal fleeing from the electric chair. The 2000 reissue adds a pair of rugged bonus tracks (along with a cleaner sound mix), which are actually better, or certainly as good as the best cuts on the rest of this competent but hardly essential Rory Gallagher disc. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 39 Title: Live! In Europe / Stage Struck Released: 1989 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:26:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Messin With the Kid (06:25) 2 Laundromat (05:12) 3 I Could’ve Had Religion (08:35) 4 Pistol Slapper Blues (02:54) 5 Going to My Hometown (06:14) 6 In Your Town (09:48) 7 Bullfrog Blues (06:47) 1 Shin Kicker (03:58) 2 Wayward Child (04:31) 3 Brute Force and Ignorance (04:10) 4 Moonchild (06:08) 5 Follow Me (06:01) 6 Bought and Sold (04:38) 7 The Last of the Independants (05:39) 8 Shadow Play (05:06) |
 | Album: 18 of 39 Title: Fresh Evidence Released: 1990 Tracks: 12 Duration: 55:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Kid Gloves (05:40) 2 The King of Zydeco (03:43) 3 Middle Name (04:15) 4 Alexis (04:07) 5 Empire State Express (05:08) 6 Ghost Blues (08:01) 7 Heaven’s Gate (05:09) 8 The Loop (02:23) 9 Walkin’ Wounded (05:10) 10 Slumming Angel (03:40) 11 Never Asked You for Nothin’ (04:29) 12 Bowed Not Broken (03:26) |
| Fresh Evidence : Allmusic album Review : There was no way that Rory Gallagher could have known that Fresh Evidence would be his last recording, but in retrospect, it is a good summary of all that is fine and some that is frustrating about his work. The first few tracks are competent but less than perfect; "Kid Gloves" is yet another weak song that is based on his well-known love of crime fiction, and "The King of Zydeco" shows that Gallagher may have liked zydeco music a lot, but he doesnt sound natural playing it. Things pick up on "Middle Name," which sounds a lot like the Doors "The Wasp" but has some sharp soloing, and things really get rolling on "Ghost Blues." From this point on, it seems that Gallagher wanted to prove his mastery of every style of blues, and amazingly, he succeeds. The Delta blues of "Heavens Gate" shows his mastery of the form, and the jazzy, swinging Chicago blues instrumental "The Loop" is a classic track. The very best was saved for last: the thundering "Slumming Angel." Everything is absolutely together here, the distinctive voice belting out a great simple lyric over a hammering rhythm section and a heaping helping of guitar, guitar, guitar. For all that, it starts slow and has a few tracks that sound like filler, albeit tasty filler. Nevertheless, Fresh Evidence showed that even after over 20 years of reinterpreting various strains of blues, there was plenty of spirit and creativity left in the great Irish rocker. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 39 Title: Bullfrog Blues Released: 1992 Tracks: 9 Duration: 58:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Bullfrog Blues (10:07) 2 Walk on Hot Coals (08:26) 3 Hands Off (05:14) 4 Bankers Blues (03:29) 5 Used to Be (05:54) 6 Hoodoo Blues (07:31) 7 Race the Breeze (07:33) 8 The Cuckoo (04:20) 9 Tore Down (05:44) |
 | Album: 20 of 39 Title: G-Men Bootleg Series, Volume 1 Released: 1992 Tracks: 32 Duration: 3:39:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Messin With the Kid (06:31) 2 Cradle Rock (12:11) 3 I Wonder Who (09:17) 4 Tattood Lady (05:30) 5 (Back on My) Stompin Ground (05:25) 6 Whos That Coming (06:18) 7 Bullfrog Blues (08:56) 8 Do You Read Me (06:30) 9 Secret Agent (06:07) 10 Calling Card (08:13) 1 Bought and Sold (07:06) 2 Too Much Alchool (04:55) 3 Going to My Hometown (05:36) 4 Country Mile (06:56) 5 Bullfrog Blues (10:53) 6 Shin Kicker (03:14) 7 Mississippi Sheiks (07:23) 8 Do You Read Me (08:35) 9 Brute Force and Ignorance (04:49) 10 Tattoo Lady (05:27) 11 Shadowplay (06:43) 12 Cause I Know (05:38) 1 Hands Up (05:15) 2 What in the World (09:23) 3 Walk on Hot Caols (08:23) 4 Bankers Blues (03:35) 5 Race the Breeze (07:30) 6 Hoodoo Blues (07:25) 7 Bullfrog Blues (10:18) 8 Tore Down (05:44) 9 Used to Be (05:51) 10 The Cuckoo (04:07) |
 | Album: 21 of 39 Title: Edged in Blue Released: 1992 Tracks: 11 Duration: 53:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (03:36) 2 The Loop (02:22) 3 Calling Card (05:23) 4 Heaven’s Gate (05:09) 5 At the Depot (02:53) 6 Brute Force and Ignorance (04:16) 7 Loanshark Blues (04:29) 8 I Could Have Had Religion (08:13) 9 Ride On Red, Ride On (04:18) 10 I Wonder Who (07:50) 11 Seven Days (05:15) |
 | Album: 22 of 39 Title: A Blue Day for the Blues Released: 1995-10-24 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:11:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Ain’t No Saint (05:00) 2 The Loop (02:23) 3 Calling Card (05:24) 4 As the Crow Flies (05:44) 5 Off the Handle (05:36) 6 Bullfrog Blues (06:47) 7 Back on My Stomping Ground (05:36) 8 Empire State Express (05:10) 9 Continental Op (04:34) 10 Shin Kicker (03:50) 11 Public Enemy No. 1 (03:46) 12 Pistol Slapper Blues (02:48) 13 Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (03:35) 14 Nothing but the Devil (03:40) 15 Alexis (04:08) 16 Barley and Grape Rag (03:38) |
 | Album: 23 of 39 Title: Etched in Blue Released: 1998 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:06:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Loanshark Blues (04:29) 2 Bought and Sold (03:26) 3 Bad Penny (04:01) 4 Cruise on Out (04:43) 5 Crest of a Wave (06:00) 6 Im Not Surprised (03:39) 7 Unmilitary Two‐Step (02:49) 8 Alexis (04:07) 9 Edged in Blue (05:31) 10 They Don’t Make Them Like You Anymore (04:07) 11 The Devil Made Me Do It (02:57) 12 Too Much Alcohol (08:26) 13 I Could Have Had Religion (08:22) 14 Shin Kicker (03:42) |
| Etched in Blue : Allmusic album Review : Etched in Blue is a solid, if not exactly definitive, retrospective of Rory Gallaghers career that offers a fine introduction to the Irish blues star. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 39 Title: BBC Sessions Released: 1999-08-09 Tracks: 22 Duration: 2:06:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Calling Card (live, 1977-01-20: Golders Green Hippodrome, London) (08:25) 2 What in the World (live, 1973-02-01: Paris Theatre, London) (09:17) 3 Jacknife Beat (live, 1977-01-20: Golders Green Hippodrome, London) (08:59) 4 Country Mile (live, 1979-01-13: Hammersmith Odeon, London) (03:17) 5 Got My Mojo Working (live, 1979-01-13: Hammersmith Odeon, London) (05:17) 6 Garbage Man (live, 1978: De Montfort Hall, Leicester, UK) (05:54) 7 Roberta (live, 1978: De Montfort Hall, Leicester, UK) (02:37) 8 Used to Be (live, 1979-01-13: Hammersmith Odeon, London) (04:59) 9 I Take What I Want (live, 1977-01-20: Golders Green Hippodrome, London) (06:57) 10 Cruise On Out (live, 1979-09-20: The Venue, London) (05:47) 1 Race the Breeze (BBC Sessions) (06:53) 2 Hands Off (BBC Sessions) (04:58) 3 Crest of a Wave (BBC Sessions) (03:57) 4 Feel So Bad (BBC Sessions) (04:58) 5 For the Last Time (BBC Sessions) (04:13) 6 It Takes Time (BBC Sessions) (04:28) 7 Seventh Son of 7th Son (BBC Sessions) (07:59) 8 Daughter of the Everglades (BBC Sessions) (06:12) 9 They Don’t Make Them Like You (BBC Sessions) (03:58) 10 Toredown (BBC Sessions) (05:14) 11 When My Baby She Left Me (BBC Sessions) (05:00) 12 Hoodoo Man (BBC Sessions) (07:23) |
 | Album: 25 of 39 Title: Forever Released: 2000-09-12 Tracks: 28 Duration: 2:20:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Moonchild (04:48) 2 Follow Me (04:40) 3 Walk On Hot Coals (07:03) 4 Tattoo’d Lady (04:40) 5 Laundromat (04:39) 6 A Million Miles Away (09:35) 7 Calling Card (05:24) 8 The Devil Made Me Do It (02:56) 9 I Fall Apart (05:14) 10 Shin Kicker (04:04) 11 Country Mile (03:18) 12 Out on the Western Plain (03:54) 13 The King of Zydeco (03:44) 14 I Ain’t No Saint (05:00) 1 Do You Read Me (05:20) 2 Philby (03:49) 3 Cradle Rock (06:17) 4 Shadow Play (04:45) 5 Daughter of the Everglades (06:13) 6 Jinxed (05:02) 7 For the Last Time (06:35) 8 Cloak & Dagger (05:21) 9 Im Not Awake Yet (05:24) 10 Let Me In (04:03) 11 Keychain (04:09) 12 They Don’t Make Them Like You Anymore (04:07) 13 Loanshark Blues (04:29) 14 Kid Gloves (05:43) |
| Forever : Allmusic album Review : The late plaid-flannel shirted, blues-rock electric guitar hero Rory Gallagher had few peers in the 70s and 80s, not only for his unique working class ability to play and sing, but to write memorable tunes and lead a band that remained relatively stable. This compilation covers his solo career upon leaving his initial band Taste up to the mid-80s, and includes many, but not all of his most famous tracks. By no means a comprehensive greatest-hits package, this still remains a fairly good overview of his studio sessions for the Polydor, Atco, Chrysalis, and Mercury labels. What is included is a soild collection of cuts that are not in chronological order, but mixed up from different phases of Gallaghers long and stellar career. They include classics like the jumping, riffi-laden "Laundromat" from his first album in 1971, the chooglin "Walk on Hot Coals" from Blueprint in 1973, and a lengthy take of the introspective "A Million Miles Away" from his best in-concert LP Irish Tour 1974. "Daughter of the Everglades," also from Blueprint, showed a more serene side, less ass kicking and more observant, even thoughtful. There are three tracks from perhaps his best studio date, Tattoo in 1973, including the incredible "Cradle Rock." When Gallagher moved to Chrysalis, Calling Card showed he had not lost a bit of energy, but was becoming a wiser and more refined performer, as the title cut of that 1976 effort showed. From Against the Grain, "On the Western Plain" continued this new approach. By the late 70s, Gallagher had transformed into a troubadour rather than the hard-edged performer he staked his claim to, as evidenced by the 1978 effort Photo-Finish, though "Shin Kicker" still revealed the original blues-drenched boy from Cork. Only "Loanshark Blues" really harkens back to his purist roots, and by "Jinxed" from 1982, his label (Mercury) really didnt know what to do with him. This compilation shows the many facets Rory Gallagher owned, and why he should always rank alongside Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Tony McPhee in their ability to turn blues power into pure rock energy and invention. Among the missing tunes that should have been included -- "Bullfrog Blues," "In Your Town," "Messin with the Kid," "I Take What I Want," and his definitive "The Last of the Independants." | ||
 | Album: 26 of 39 Title: Let’s Go To Work Released: 2001 Tracks: 37 Duration: 3:56:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Messin With the Kid (06:25) 2 Laundromat (05:12) 3 I Could’ve Had Religion (08:35) 4 Pistol Slapper Blues (02:54) 5 Going to My Home Town (05:46) 6 In Your Town (10:03) 7 What in the World (07:40) 8 Hoodoo Man (06:02) 9 Bullfrog Blues (06:47) 1 Cradle Rock (07:35) 2 I Wonder Who (Who’s Gonna Be Your Sweet Man) (07:52) 3 Tattoo’d Lady (05:02) 4 Too Much Alcohol (08:29) 5 As the Crow Flies (06:02) 6 A Million Miles Away (09:29) 7 Walk on Hot Coals (11:13) 8 Who’s That Coming? (10:05) 9 Back on My Stompin’ Ground (After Hours) (05:18) 10 Maritime (00:33) 1 Shin Kicker (03:58) 2 Wayward Child (04:31) 3 Brute Force and Ignorance (04:10) 4 Moonchild (06:03) 5 Bad Penny (06:39) 6 Keychain (05:03) 7 Follow Me (05:57) 8 Bought and Sold (04:38) 9 The Last of the Independents (05:39) 10 Shadow Play (05:06) 1 Continental Op (06:54) 2 Moonchild (05:50) 3 Mean Disposition (09:11) 4 The Loop (05:27) 5 Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (06:21) 6 Ghost Blues (07:50) 7 Messin’ With the Kid (06:06) 8 La Bamba (05:38) |
 | Album: 27 of 39 Title: Meeting With the G-Man Released: 2001-10-15 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:10:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Continental Op (06:54) 2 Moonchild (05:57) 3 Mean Dispositon (09:03) 4 The Loop (05:45) 5 Dont Start Me Talkin (07:07) 6 She Moved Through the Fair (01:07) 7 Out on the Western Plain (03:58) 8 William of Green (01:36) 9 Mercy River (02:18) 10 Walking Blues (05:01) 11 Dont Think Twice Its Alright (02:35) 12 Ghost Blues (07:14) 13 Messin With the Kid (06:52) 14 La Bamba (05:11) |
 | Album: 28 of 39 Title: Wheels Within Wheels Released: 2003-03-10 Tracks: 14 Duration: 51:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Wheels Within Wheels (03:30) 2 Flight to Paradise (04:27) 3 As the Crow Flies (04:09) 4 Lonesome Highway (05:19) 5 Bratacha Dubha (02:57) 6 She Moved Thro’ the Fair / Ann Cran Ull (02:19) 7 Barley & Grape Rag (04:22) 8 The Cuckoo (03:43) 9 Amazing Grace (01:19) 10 The Walking Blues (05:33) 11 Bluemoon of Kentucky (02:53) 12 Deep Elm Blues (04:17) 13 Goin’ to My Hometown (04:55) 14 Lonesome Highway Refraining (01:57) |
| Wheels Within Wheels : Allmusic album Review : Although best known for his barnstorming blues-rock, Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher had a softer side, too. All of his studio albums contain at least one acoustic folk-blues track, and Gallagher included an unplugged set in the majority of his live shows way before that was fashionable. Almost eight years after his death, Rorys brother Donal compiled a 14-track collection of previously unreleased work dedicated to Gallaghers folkier approach. Its the second such posthumous album (the terrific live and very electric BBC Sessions came out in 1999), and focuses on an important if lesser recognized aspect of the guitarists career. Its also an eclectic set that shifts from melodic ballads ("Wheels Within Wheels") to instrumental modified flamenco ("Flight to Paradise" with classical guitarist Juan Martin) and solo Delta blues (a studio take of Tony Joe Whites "As the Crow Flies," the live version of which was a highlight of Irish Tour). And thats just the first three songs. Unreleased gems such as "Lonesome Highway" sound like classic Gallagher (this even features a plugged-in solo), but the disc is most successful when it unearths rare collaborations with Martin Carthy, Bert Jansch, and Scottish skiffle legend Lonnie Donegan. The latter is caught live on a rousing version of "Goin to My Hometown," one of this albums many highlights. The heavily bootlegged "The Cuckoo," also finds official release in a stirring version assisted by Roland Van Campenhout on second guitar. Three live tunes with stripped-down accompaniment from Béla Fleck on banjo and harmonica master Mark Feltham find Gallagher running through a seemingly improvised medley of "Amazing Grace," Robert Johnsons "Walking Blues," and Bill Monroes "Blue Moon of Kentucky," showing just how diverse Gallaghers tastes were. Established Gallagher fans will love this for the unusually laid-back setting, but Wheels Within Wheels might also attract a hardcore folk audience likely unaware of the rock guitarists affinity for this genre. The varying sound quality is a little sketchy, especially on the concert tracks, but the sheer enthusiasm and joy infused in these grooves override any audio shortcomings. | ||
 | Album: 29 of 39 Title: Big Guns: The Very Best of Rory Gallagher Released: 2005-06-13 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:51:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Big Guns (03:52) 2 What’s Going On (02:48) 3 Tattoo’d Lady (04:40) 4 Bad Penny (03:57) 5 Shadow Play (04:55) 6 Kickback City (04:51) 7 Bourbon (04:04) 8 Sinnerboy (05:47) 9 Used to Be (05:14) 10 Goin’ to My Hometown (04:57) 11 Bullfrog Blues (06:47) 12 Messin’ With the Kid (04:25) 1 The Loop (02:38) 2 Born on the Wrong Side of Time (04:16) 3 A Million Miles Away (06:34) 4 Calling Card (05:22) 5 Out on the Western Plain (03:48) 6 Lonesome Highway (05:19) 7 Just the Smile (03:32) 8 I’m Not Awake Yet (05:40) 9 Daughter of the Everglades (06:01) 10 I’ll Admit You’re Gone (04:24) 11 The King of Zydeco (03:38) 12 They Don’t Make Them Like You Anymore (04:07) |
 | Album: 30 of 39 Title: Live at Montreux Released: 2006 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:15:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Laundromat (07:48) 2 Tore Down (04:52) 3 I Take What I Want (05:59) 4 Bought and Sold (05:46) 5 Do You Read Me (05:48) 6 Last of the Independents (05:59) 7 Off the Handle (08:27) 8 Mississippi Sheiks (05:30) 9 Out on the Western Plain (05:23) 10 Too Much Alcohol (05:02) 11 Shin Kicker (07:05) 12 Philby (08:15) |
 | Album: 31 of 39 Title: The Essential Released: 2008-03-10 Tracks: 28 Duration: 2:20:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Follow Me (04:40) 2 Moonchild (04:47) 3 Bought and Sold (03:35) 4 Laundromat (04:39) 5 Bad Penny (03:57) 6 Edged in Blue (05:31) 7 Brute Force & Ignorance (live) (04:12) 8 I Fall Apart (05:12) 9 Loanshark Blues (04:29) 10 Who’s That Coming (07:11) 11 As the Crow Flies (05:51) 12 Barley & Grape Rag (03:39) 13 Lonesome Highway (01:59) 14 Out on the Western Plain (03:53) 1 In Your Town (05:47) 2 Philby (03:51) 3 Slumming Angel (03:40) 4 Continental Op (04:34) 5 Cradle Rock (06:17) 6 A Million Miles Away (06:57) 7 Wheels Within Wheels (03:30) 8 Crest of a Wave (05:59) 9 They Don’t Make Them Like You Anymore (04:07) 10 Walk on Hot Coals (07:00) 11 Shadow Play (04:44) 12 I Couldve Had Religion (Live) (08:38) 13 Tattood Lady (Live) (05:03) 14 Bullfrog Blues (Live) (06:48) |
 | Album: 32 of 39 Title: Original Album Classics Released: 2008-06-16 Tracks: 56 Duration: 4:15:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Used to Be (05:24) 2 Im Not Awake Yet (05:06) 3 Dont Know Where I’m Going (02:42) 4 Maybe I Will (04:15) 5 Whole Lot of People (04:57) 6 In Your Town (05:47) 7 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (03:36) 8 There’s a Light (05:59) 9 Out of My Mind (03:05) 10 Crest of a Wave (06:00) 11 Persuasion (04:43) 1 Do You Read Me (05:20) 2 Country Mile (03:18) 3 Moonchild (04:47) 4 Calling Card (05:24) 5 I’ll Admit You’re Gone (04:26) 6 Secret Agent (05:46) 7 Jackknife Beat (07:05) 8 Edged in Blue (05:31) 9 Barley & Grape Rag (03:39) 10 Rue the Day (04:14) 11 Public Enemy (B-Girl version) (04:33) 1 Follow Me (04:40) 2 Philby (03:51) 3 Wayward Child (03:31) 4 Keychain (04:09) 5 At the Depot (02:56) 6 Bad Penny (04:03) 7 Just Hit Town (03:37) 8 Off the Handle (05:36) 9 Public Enemy No. 1 (03:46) 10 Hell Cat (04:50) 11 The Watcher (05:44) 1 Big Guns (03:33) 2 Bourbon (04:06) 3 Double Vision (05:07) 4 The Devil Made Me Do It (02:53) 5 Signals (04:46) 6 Jinxed (05:03) 7 Easy Come Easy Go (05:48) 8 Nothin’ but the Devil (03:12) 9 Ride On Red, Ride On (04:36) 10 Lonely Mile (04:39) 11 Loose Talk (04:08) 1 Kid Gloves (05:40) 2 The King of Zydeco (03:43) 3 Middle Name (04:15) 4 Alexis (04:07) 5 Empire State Express (05:08) 6 Ghost Blues (08:01) 7 Heaven’s Gate (05:09) 8 The Loop (02:23) 9 Walkin’ Wounded (05:10) 10 Slumming Angel (03:40) 11 Never Asked You for Nothin’ (04:29) 12 Bowed Not Broken (03:26) |
 | Album: 33 of 39 Title: All Time Best Released: 2009-06-15 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:13:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Whats Going On (02:49) 2 Big Guns (03:51) 3 Tattood Lady (04:50) 4 Sinner Boy (05:44) 5 Bad Penny (03:58) 6 Calling Card (05:22) 7 Im Not Awake Yet (05:39) 8 Out on the Western Plain (03:49) 9 A Million Miles Away (06:36) 10 Kickback City (04:52) 11 Daughter of the Everglades (06:01) 12 The Loop (02:37) 13 Shadowplay (04:55) 14 Goin to My Hometown (05:01) 15 Bullfrog Blues (live) (06:49) |
 | Album: 34 of 39 Title: Crest of a Wave: The Best of Rory Gallagher Released: 2009-08-25 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:53:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Follow Me (04:37) 2 Shin Kicker (04:00) 3 Do You Read Me (05:17) 4 Bought And Sold (03:32) 5 Loanshark Blues (04:26) 6 In Your Town (05:44) 7 Calling Card (05:23) 8 A Million Miles Away (06:55) 9 Walk On Hot Coals (06:58) 10 I Fall Apart (05:10) 11 Tattood Lady (04:34) 12 Crest Of A Wave (05:57) 1 Bad Penny (04:00) 2 Overnight Bag (04:38) 3 Philby (03:48) 4 Shadow Play (04:43) 5 Moonchild (04:45) 6 They Dont Make Them Like You Anymore (04:04) 7 Edged In Blue (05:28) 8 Wheels Within Wheels (03:28) 9 Out On The Western Plain (03:51) 10 Out Of My Mind (03:03) 11 Barley And Grape Rag (03:37) 12 Lonesome Highway (05:19) |
| Crest of a Wave: The Best of Rory Gallagher : Allmusic album Review : This best-of collection gives a decent overview of guitarist Rory Gallaghers most sought-after tracks, from his 1971 album Deuce to his final recordings in the 80s. Highlights include "Shinkicker," "Tattood Lady," and "Philby." While there is nothing here the collector doesnt already own, Crest of a Wave: The Best of Rory Gallagher provides a quality sampling for the curious listener. | ||
 | Album: 35 of 39 Title: The Beat Club Sessions Released: 2010-09-17 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:13:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Laundromat (05:20) 2 Hands Up (06:25) 3 Sinnerboy (05:42) 4 Just the Smile (05:00) 5 I Dont Know Where Im Going (02:44) 6 I Couldve Had Religion (07:19) 7 Used to Be (05:13) 8 In Your Town (07:38) 9 Shouldve Learned My Lesson (07:22) 10 Crest of a Wave (05:55) 11 Toredown (07:37) 12 Messin With the Kid (06:45) |
| The Beat Club Sessions : Allmusic album Review : The Rory Gallagher musical well isnt dry quite yet, as evidenced by this dozen-track collection of live-in-the-studio work from the early years of his solo career. This disc officially appeared in September 2010 and collects four tunes from three separate sessions recorded May 1971 through June 1972 for the German Beat Club TV series (a companion DVD was released simultaneously). The songs will be familiar to Gallagher fans, as most are available on his first few albums. All but Junior Wells "Messin with the Kid" and Sonny Thompsons "Toredown" (probably best known through Freddie Kings version) are originals, played by his sturdy backing trio featuring Wilgar Campbell on drums and longtime bassist Gerry McAvoy. While there arent many musical surprises, these versions are noticeably leaner and tougher than their associated studio performances. This also makes a logical companion piece to Gallaghers breakthrough release, Live in Europe, since its recorded with the same band but only repeats four of its selections. The blues-rocker was young, hungry, and scorching hot during these years and Germany was one of the first countries where he found success. Numbers such as "Crest of a Wave," "Sinnerboy," "Used to Be," the aforementioned "Toredown" along with the acoustic "Just the Smile" and "I Dont Know Where Im Going" dont show up often in concert versions, if at all, even with the plethora of live Gallagher material available, so clean, live recordings of them are a real find for fans. The guitarist hit his groove on these sessions, as can be heard on a surging "I Couldve Had Religion," where his slide work simply burns. The song "Hands Up," caught here from the 1971 show, wouldnt appear on a studio title until 1973s Blueprint, although the arrangement didnt change markedly over the years. Gallagher rips into a seven-minute take on his slow blues "Shouldve Learned My Lesson" with the type of intensity Jimmy Page routinely displayed, and Campbells drums have ferocity similar to John Bonhams. The sound is terrific for live music of the time -- full, rich, and well recorded, with every instrument easily identifiable in the mix but displaying all the rawness and crackling sparks that made Gallagher such an iconic figure in the history of blues-rock. | ||
 | Album: 36 of 39 Title: Notes From San Francisco Released: 2011-06-06 Tracks: 24 Duration: 2:00:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rue the Day (04:26) 2 Persuasion (04:45) 3 B Girl (04:42) 4 Mississippi Sheiks (05:56) 5 Wheels Within Wheels (03:40) 6 Overnight Bag (04:46) 7 Cruise On Out (05:19) 8 Brute Force & Ignorance (05:45) 9 Fuel to the Fire (05:43) 10 Wheels Within Wheels (alternative version) (03:55) 11 Cut a Dash (03:49) 12 Out on the Tiles (04:22) 1 Follow Me (06:25) 2 Shinkicker (03:42) 3 Off the Handle (07:01) 4 Bought and Sold (04:43) 5 I’m Leavin’ (04:35) 6 Tattoo’d Lady (06:49) 7 Do You Read Me (06:11) 8 Country Mile (03:51) 9 Calling Card (05:51) 10 Shadow Play (05:11) 11 Bullfrog Blues (05:38) 12 Sea Cruise (03:39) |
| Notes From San Francisco : Allmusic album Review : Its surprising, considering the interesting back story on the studio portion of this posthumous Rory Gallagher release, that there are no notes on the actual packaging to chronicle its eventual appearance in 2011, nearly 33 years after being recorded in December 1977. According to the press release though, Gallagher clashed with producer Elliot Mazer about the mix on these dozen tunes and not only shelved the tapes, but broke up his longtime band after the San Francisco session ended. Out went keyboardist Lou Martin and drummer Rod deAth, replaced by skinsman Ted McKenna (bassist Gerry McAvoy remained) to strip down the sound for his next phase. About half these songs, such as "Mississippi Sheiks," "Fuel to the Fire," "Brute Force & Ignorance," "Cruise on Out," and "Overnight Bag" appeared on 1978s Photo Finish in different performances. Some, like the closing "Out on the Tiles" and "B Girl," will be new to all but the most ardent Gallagher followers. Shortly before his death, the guitarist apparently mentioned to his brother Donald that hed like the tapes to be released someday if they were remixed, which is exactly what Donalds son Daniel did in 2011, resulting in these long-lost tracks finally seeing the light of day. Despite Gallaghers reservations, everything here is up to his usual high standard, and he obviously respected the material enough to re-record the bulk of it with a different band and producer later that year. The electric violin on "Mississippi Sheiks" is a new twist on both Gallaghers blues-rock style and the song, which helps differentiate this version from the more famous one that appeared on Photo Finish. Saxophone, played by Martin Fiero, enhances two cuts, also bringing a unique groove, especially to the lumbering "Brute Force and Ignorance." The package includes a December 1979 live show, also recorded in San Francisco, that finds Gallagher and his two-piece in typically fine fettle. They revisit the Taste-era chestnut "Bullfrog Blues" and tear into the rarity "Im Leavin" with their notorious paint-peeling approach. He digs back some years for a tough take on "Tattood Lady," but most of the set is derived from his mid- to late-70s albums Top Priority, Photo Finish, and Calling Card. A breathless "Sea Cruise" closes the set, and is probably a nod to Jerry Lee Lewis, on whose album Gallagher guested. It caps off a roaring, electrifying show that, along with the studio disc, makes a worthwhile addition to any Gallagher lovers collection. Even lacking detailed liner notes, this is a keeper and an important historical document in Rory Gallaghers short but eventful career. | ||
 | Album: 37 of 39 Title: Kickback City Released: 2013 Tracks: 22 Duration: 2:30:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Kickback City (04:47) 2 Continental Op (04:37) 3 Kid Gloves (05:38) 4 Big Guns (03:28) 5 Loanshark Blues (04:26) 6 Secret Agent (05:44) 7 B Girl (04:44) 8 Slumming Angel (03:38) 9 Barley & Grape Rag (03:38) 10 Doing Time (04:06) 11 In Your Town (05:45) 12 Sinner Boy (05:03) 13 The Devil Made Me Do It (02:55) 14 Seven Days (05:13) 1 Continental Op (05:08) 2 Tattoo’d Lady (06:29) 3 I Ain’t No Saint (06:25) 4 Off the Handle (09:24) 5 The Loop (03:03) 6 Messin’ With the Kid (07:27) 7 Loneshark Blues (06:16) 1 The Lie Factory (42:50) |
| Kickback City : Allmusic album Review : Eighteen years after the death of Rory Gallagher, the incendiary Irish blues-rock guitarist and songwriter gets one of the most unusual tribute compilation packages in music history. Kickback City was conceived by Gallaghers brother Dónal to celebrate the guitarists lifelong love of hard-boiled noir fiction -- he often cited its themes and references in his songs. Dónal recruited best-selling, award-winning crime novelist Ian Rankin (of the popular Inspector Rebus series) in a project that compiles studio and live performances by the guitarist that were directly inspired by the genre. To accompany the music, Rankin wrote a novella that liberally references Gallaghers titles and lyrics; entitled The Lie Factory, it too is enclosed. There is an audio reading of the novella by Aidan Quinn on a separate disc. The entire package was illustrated by Timothy Truman (DC Comics, the Grateful Dead, Santana, First Comics), a lifelong fan of the guitarist. [There is also a limited deluxe vinyl edition available from the artists website.] | ||
 | Album: 38 of 39 Title: Live at the Montreux Festival 1975–94 Released: 2013-04-15 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:15:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Laundromat (07:48) 2 I’m Torn Down (04:52) 3 It Take What It Want (05:59) 4 Bought and Sold (05:46) 5 Do You Read Me (05:47) 6 The Last of the Independents (05:58) 7 Off the Handle (08:26) 8 The Mississippi Sheiks (05:29) 9 Out on the Western Plain (05:23) 10 Too Much Alcohol (05:01) 11 Shin Kicker (07:05) 12 Philby (08:17) |
 | Album: 39 of 39 Title: Blues Released: 2019-05-31 Tracks: 36 Duration: 3:06:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (03:33) 2 Nothin’ but the Devil (04:57) 3 Tore Down (05:09) 4 Off the Handle (BBC Paul Jones Blues Show) (04:38) 5 I Could’ve Had Religion (WNCR Cleveland radio session, 1973) (05:56) 6 As the Crow Flies (Tattoo session, 1973) (04:09) 7 A Million Miles Away (BBC Radio 1 Bob Harris session, 1973) (07:49) 8 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (07:38) 9 Leaving Town Blues (remixed) (06:03) 10 Drop Down Baby (03:09) 11 I’m Ready (1972 version) (04:09) 12 Bullfrog Blues (WNCR Cleveland radio session, 1973) (06:59) 1 Who’s That Coming? (alternative acoustic take) (05:15) 2 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (alternative acoustic take) (03:04) 3 Prison Blues (04:11) 4 Secret Agent (acoustic version / live on RTÉ TV) (05:27) 5 Blow Wind Blow (WNCR Cleveland radio session, 1973) (03:41) 6 Bankers Blues (04:49) 7 Whole Lot of People (alternative acoustic take) (03:40) 8 Loanshark Blues (alternative acoustic take / live on Rockpalast) (02:28) 9 Pistol Slapper Blues (acoustic version / live on RTÉ TV) (03:07) 10 Can’t Be Satisfied (03:59) 11 Want Ad Blues (Radio 2 Dave Fanning session) (03:06) 12 Walkin’ Blues (acoustic version / live on RTÉ TV) (04:13) 1 When My Baby She Left Me (live at the River Records radio concert broadcast) (06:28) 2 Nothin’ but the Devil (live at the River Records radio concert broadcast) (06:56) 3 What in the World (Live at the River Records radio concert broadcast) (07:39) 4 I Wonder Who (live) (06:35) 5 Messin’ With the Kid (live from Sheffield City Hall) (04:18) 6 Tore Down (live from Newcastle City Hall) (04:51) 7 Garbage Man Blues (live from Sheffield City Hall) (06:21) 8 All Around Man (live on the Old Grey Whistle Test: Rory Gallagher Special, 1976) (11:11) 9 Born Under a Bad Sign (live on Rockpalast, 1991) (07:19) 10 You Upset Me, Baby (Live) (05:47) 11 Comin’ Home Baby (05:29) 12 Rory Talking Blues (02:20) |