The early 1970's was the breeding ground for some of the greatest Blues Rock guitarists to come out of the U.K. and Europe of all time! Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Robin Trower are but of the few most household known guitarists of that era but toss in the likes of a Paul Kossoff, Peter Green and an Irishman by the name of Rory Gallagher and you add another crop of guitar heroes who would help spawn millions of new guitar players and guitar fans worldwide. Rory Gallagher, in particular, would go on to sell more than 30 million records worldwide (YES, I did say 30 MILLION) and would still be relatively unknown here in the good ol' USA. What a cryin' shame! Whether it's Gallagher's first well known band, Taste or his solo material, the man could just make a guitar emote so much passion. Unknown to a slew of people and a guitar hero to those in the know, Rory Gallagher was just a tasty, tasty player that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with his fellow contemporaries of the 1970's.
For those of us who were a tad too young to get on Gallagher train during the first time 'round, it has been wonderful that some of the players that he influenced in their youth, who have in turn become famous worldwide in their own rights, have used their fame to give back to Gallagher and mention him in a slew of guitar player magazines over the years as a major influence. Vivian Campbell was the guitarist in the Heavy Metal band, Dio at the time and is also from Belfast in Northern Ireland and he was one of my favorite guitar player's back 1983 and was also the first person that I had ever read mention his name. So if Viv mentioned him as a major influence, it was good enough for me! It's not so much WHEN you discover someone amazing but just a matter of actually discovering them, period. And so the love affair with Rory Gallagher began. It's never too late!
Long considered as one of THE quintessential records of his career, Irish Tour '74 has been re-issued by Eagle Rock Entertainment, much to the delight of Gallagher fans around the world. Rory strangles his Fender Stratocaster into oblivion and provides just electrifying performance after performance on this 10 track live CD. From sheer brilliant electric blues to Dobro Delta American Blues, Gallagher never falls short of just simply being exciting. He just oozes emotion with every single note and manages to keep you on the edge of your seat hanging on every note. The songs "A Million Miles Away" and "Walk On Hot Coals" are great showcases of the intensity, controlled and uncontrolled emotion that was a staple of his heralded live performances, while the classics "Cradle Rock" and "Tattoo'd Lady" shows us all why Rory Gallagher was often spoke of in the same breath as Jimi Hendrix. It was that fiery intensity that Gallagher possessed whether he was playing slide or bending the night away with reckless abandon, both he and Hendrix had it and it's just such a pleasure to listen to the man wail. Songs like "Too Much Alcohol", with its nice easy shuffle, shows just how he was able to connect with his audiences with everyone counting from 91 to 100% in this fun bluesy tune. Throw in an excellent slide solo and there you have it.
Sadly Rory Gallagher passed away in 1995, WAY too early at the age of 47. This is one of the things so great about recordings; his music will live on forever for new generations to discover or for people to re-discover. Gallagher was a tremendous talent and has sadly been overlooked by many people over the years but let his music speak for itself. Irish Tour '74 is a MUST HAVE for anyone that loves Blues-Rock music and especially those of you that love great Bluesy Rock guitar playing of the '70's. Gallagher does not disappoint on this live statement. His reputation as a brilliant live performer is all documented here for all to bask in. Take in the Strat abuse and enjoy it like only Rory Gallagher was able to produce it.
Also check out the DVD and Blu-Ray versions of Irish Tour '74 to be able to watch Gallagher in all of his guitar glory, complete with bonus home movie footage from his Japanese tour from the same year. The video is not to be missed!
Track Listing
- Cradle Rock
- I Wonder Who
- Tattoo'd Lady
- Too Much Alcohol
- As The Crow Flies
- A Million Miles Away
- Walk On Hot Coals
- Who's That Coming?
- Back On My Stompin' Ground (After Hours)
- Maritime
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