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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Rory
Gallagher
Company: Atlantic
Catalog: SD
33368
Year: 1971
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: --
Available: --
Price: SOLD
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A unique, if grossly under recognized figure in modern rock, the late Rory Gallagher spent the majority of his adult life touring (though seldom in major venues), Steadfast and uncompromisingly preaching the blues, over some twenty years he released a large catalog of material, establishing a sterling reputation within the business (The Rolling Stones were interested in recruiting him as a replacement for Mick Taylor) and as a longstanding critics' favorite. Ironically, prior to his death in 1995, Gallagher never came close to enjoying any measure of commercial success.
We were lucky to see him twice. One at
a small club where he was dazzling and a second time at an odd free
show. Living in Brussels, Belgium we were walking down a street in the
city's shopping district when we noticed a large crowd gathered. That
wasn't anything special since the city was full of street performers.
Checking it out we discovered Gallagher was playing a free Christmas
concert. We rushed around the corner to get a couple of beers (Belgium
= beer) and when the bartender wouldn't put our Stella Artois into plastic
cups (he apparently didn't have any), we convinced him to let us take these
big glasses of beer out with us. As for Gallagher, decked out in his
trademarked plaid shirt and backed by a crack band, the guy simply
sizzled. What a show ... thirty years onwards I still have fond
memories of the cold evening ...
An accomplished performer by the time he was eight, Gallagher was playing professionally by age 15. Certain that his future lay in music, at eighteen he joined the Fontana Showband with whom he spent three years performing on the Irish dinner party circuit. Frustrated by the Showband's conservative
repertoire and his inability to play the blues, Gallagher and fellow Showband members Eric Kittringham and Norman Damery tendered their notices in 1965. As Taste (see separate entry), they spent the next six years touring non-stop; attracting rave reviews, but meeting with marginal commercial and financial success. Frustrated by their continuing lack of success, the trio broke up in early 1971, leaving Gallagher to strike out on his own.
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Deuce
Company: Polydor
Catalog: 2383
076
Year: 1972
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: UK
pressing; minor edge and corner wear
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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1972 saw Gallagher and company return with the self-produced
"Deuce" (surprising that a label would let such a young and unproven act produce himself). Exemplified by tracks such as "Used To Be", "Should've Learnt My Lesson", "In Your Town" and "Whole Lot of People" (the second half solo is alone worth the price admission), the majority of the sophomore solo set marked a continuation of Gallagher's Taste-styled blues-rock. There were some startling exceptions. The acoustic flamenco-influenced rocker "I'm Not Awake Yet" stood as one of his prettiest melodies, while "There's a Light" and "Maybe I Will" (the latter with a nifty jazzy solo), would have made wonderful FM hits. As always, Gallagher's guitar proved the star. Forget fancy effects, Gallagher simply didn't need 'em. Possibly the best slide player around (check out the solo on "Crest of a Wave"), he had chops to spare. A top-40 hit in England, the LP did little in the States. (For what it's worth, it's one of our favorite Gallagher releases.)
"Deuce" track listing:
1.) Used To Be (Rory Gallagher) -
2.) I'm Not Awake Yet (Rory Gallagher) - 4:38
3.) Don't Know Where I'm Going (Rory Gallagher) - 2:45
4.) Maybe I Will (Rory Gallagher) -
5.) Whole Lot of People (Rory Gallagher) -
6.) In Your Town (Rory Gallagher) -
7.) Should've Learnt My Lesson (Rory Gallagher) -
8.) There's a Light (Rory Gallagher) -
9.) Out of My Mind (Rory Gallagher) -
10.) Crest of a Wave (Rory Gallagher) - 5:22
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Rory
Gallagher Live! In Europe
Company: Polydor
Catalog: PD
Year: 1972
Grade
(cover/record): VG-/VG
Comments: some
noticeable crackling on a couple of tracks; minor ring, edge and corner wear
Available: 1
Price: $10.00
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With Polydor assuming American distribution duties, 1972's
"Rory Gallagher Live! In Europe"
marked the artist's third release in twelve months. Recorded before enthusiastic crowds at various early 1972 European dates, the self-produced collection offered up a mixture of blues covers and bluesy originals. Simply said, the album captured Gallagher, Campbell and McAvoy in prime form. Pure blues; extended rave-ups such as "Messin' with the Kid", Gallagher's own blazing "Laundromat" and the stark and haunting harmonica and slide-guitar driven "I Could've Had Religion" weren't exactly fancy, but more than compensated for the raw sound with their driving enthusiasm. Electric blues simply didn't get much better than the nearly ten minutes of "In Your Town", or the mandolin-powered "Going To My Home Town". Peaking at #101, the album also provided Gallagher with his first taste of American commercial success.
In Europe the collection earned platinum sales and Melody Maker's
"Musician of the Year" Award. Shortly after the album's release, the line up underwent it's first major change; drummer Campbell replaced by Rod De'Ath. Gallagher also expanded the line-up with the addition of keyboard player Lou Martin.
"Rory Gallagher Live! In Europe!" track listing:
1.) Messing with the Kid (Wells) - 6:24
2.) Laundromat (Rory Gallagher) - 5:08
3.) I Could've Had Religion (traditional - arranged by Rory Gallagher) - 8:28
4.) Pistol Slapper Blues (Blindboy Fuller) - 3:00
5.) Going To My Home Town (Rory Gallagher) - 6:13
6.) In Your Town (Rory Gallagher) - 9:48
7.) Bullfrog Blues (traditional arranged by Rory Gallagher) - 6:46
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Blueprint
Company: Polydor
Catalog: PD-5522
Year: 1972
Grade
(cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: --
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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To be honest, it
took a bit of effort to warm up to 1972's "Blueprint".
That's kinda' curious since musically the set's not a major departure from
Gallagher's earlier releases. Starting out with the blazing "Walk
On Hot Coals" (one of his toughest rockers), the collection found
Gallagher and company opting for a slightly more rock-oriented sound.
In case longtime fans were concerned, there was still plenty of blues
("Banker's Blues" erroneously credited as a Gallagher
-penned effort, "Unmilitary Two-Step" and the breath taking
"The Seventh Son of a Seventh Son"). By the way, until we
heard "Hands Off" we didn't know Gallagher played the sax.
To our ears it's a solid, if slightly under whelming release.
"Blueprint"
track listing"
1.) Walk On Hot
Coals (Rory Gallagher) -
2.) Daughters of
the Everglades (Rory Gallagher) -
3.) Banker's Blues
(Rory Gallagher - Broonzy) -
4.) Hands Off (Rory Gallagher) -
5.) Race the
Breeze (Rory Gallagher) -
6.) The Seventh
Son of a Seventh Son (Rory Gallagher) -
7.) Unmilitary
Two-Step (Rory Gallagher) -
8.) If I Had a
Reason (Rory Gallagher) -
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Tattoo
Company: Polydor
Catalog: PD-5539
Year: 1973
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor
ring and edge wear
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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While it wasn't a major change in musical direction,
"Tattoo" benefited from an expanded line up (former Killing Floor drummer Rod De'Ath and keyboardist Lou Martin) and fuller sound. Again handling production duties, Gallagher sounded enthusiastic and full of confidence, simply blowing his way through all original material such as "Tattoo'd Lady", "They Don't Make Them Like You Anymore" and "Cradle Rock" (be sure to check out his
screeching
staccato solo on the latter). Elsewhere, always a reluctant vocalist, Gallagher seemed to have lost much of his former shyness (check out the acoustic blues number "20:20 Vision"), showcasing the fact he was an excellent singer. Personal favorite; the chugging "Livin' Like a Trucker". All told it made for one of his most consistent and satisfying releases. Certainly one of the places to start if you've never heard the late Gallagher.
"Tattoo" track listing:
1.) Tattoo'd Lady (Rory Gallagher) -
2.) Cradle Rock (Rory Gallagher) -
3.) 20:20 Vision (Rory Gallagher) -
4.) They Don't Make Them Like You Anymore (Rory Gallagher) -
5.) Livin' Like a Trucker (Rory Gallagher) -
6.) Sleep On a Clothes Line (Rory Gallagher) -
7.) Who's That Coming (Rory Gallagher) -
8.) A Million Miles Away (Rory Gallagher) -
9.) Admit It (Rory Gallagher) -
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Irish
Tour '74
Company: Polydor
Catalog: PD2-9501
Year: 1974
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: double
album set; minor
ring and edge wear
Available: 2
Price: $20.00
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"Irish Tour '74" was a double album live offering. Self-produced, the collection found Gallagher and expanded band tearing their way through a first-rate mixture of acoustic and electric blues-rock. While live takes on tracks such as "Cradle Rock", "Tattoo'd Lady", and "Too Much Alcohol" were suitably enthusiastic, they didn't add much to the original studio versions. Still, spurred on by partisan Irish audiences (the set recorded at various dates in Belfast, Cork, and Dublin), the band came off in prime form, serving as an excellent introduction to Gallagher's stinging guitar style ("Wonder Who's (Gonna Be Your Sweet Man)"). Once again, Martin's keyboards continued to fill out the group's otherwise thin sound. Elsewhere "Back On My (Stompin' Ground)" and "Just a Little Bit" were less impressive, amounting to little more than extended jam sessions. Supported by strong reviews, the set proved a surprisingly strong seller, hitting #110. Originally released with a gatefold sleeve, Polydor deserved an award for the lavish cover ... Sadly the set was quickly dropped and is now extremely difficult to find.
"Irish Tour '74" track listing:
1.) Cradle Rock (Rory Gallagher) -
2.) I Wonder Who
3.) Tattoo'd Lady (Rory Gallagher) -
4.) Too Much Alcohol
5.) As the Crow Flies
6.) A Million Miles Away (Rory Gallagher) -
7.) Walk On Hot Coals
8.) Who's that Comin (Rory Gallagher) -
9.) Stompin Ground
10.) Just a Little Bit
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: In
the Beginning An Early Taste of Rory
Gallagher
Company: Emerald
Gem
Catalog: GES
110
Year: 1974
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: minor
ring wear; UK pressing
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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1974's "In the Beginning An Early Taste of Rory
Gallagher" was released by the small English Emerald Gem label just as Gallagher was beginning to attract critical praise and recognition. Compiled and produced by Mervyn Soloman, the set was credited as a Gallagher solo effort, but actually captured the guitarist's initial studio recording sessions as a member of Taste (see separate entry). Recorded in mid-1967, Gallagher-penned originals such as "Wee Wee Baby", "How Many More Years" and "Take It Easy Baby" were somewhat raw and
under-produced, but served as a surprisingly effective vehicle for Gallagher's tasty guitar and bluesy voice (image Clapton after a weekend of solid smoking and drinking). Well worth looking for ...
"In the Beginning An Early Taste of Rory Gallagher" track listing:
1.) Wee Wee Baby (Rory Gallagher) - 2:45
2.) How Many More Years (Rory Gallagher) - 3:24
3.) Take It Easy Baby (Rory Gallagher) - 7:08
4.) You've Got To Pay (Rory Gallagher) - 3:55
5.) Worried Man (Rory Gallagher) - 2:30
6.) Norman Invasion (Rory Gallagher) - 3:01
7.) Pardon Me Mister (Rory Gallagher) - 2:44
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Sinner
... and Saint
Company: Polydor
Catalog: PD-6510
Year: 1975
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor
ring and edge wear
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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While there's no such thing as a needless Gallagher album, "Sinner ...
and Saint" came close - not that the music was bad, rather fans already owned it. With Gallagher having already signed a deal with Chrysalis Records, former label Polydor acquired rights to Gallagher's two ATCO efforts, pulling together ten tracks from his first two ATCO releases (five selections from both "Rory Gallagher" and "Deuce"). At it's most charitable the effort could be seen as a rather transparent attempt to squeeze a couple of additional dollars out of Gallagher's fan base ... Given it was released to compete with Gallagher's Chrysalis debut, it sold well, peaking at #158.
"Sinner ... and Saint" track listing:
1.) Used To Be (Rory Gallagher) - 5:06
2.) Sinner Boy (Rory Gallagher) - 5:30
3.) For The Last Time (Rory Gallagher) - 6:34
4.) Hands Up (Rory Gallagher) - 5:24
5.) Just the Smile (Rory Gallagher) - 3:40
6.) Crest Of A Wave (Rory Gallagher) - 5:22
7.) I'm Not Awake Yet (Rory Gallagher) - 5:38
8.) There's A Light (Rory Gallagher) - 5:59
9.) I Fall Apart (Rory Gallagher) - 5:10
10.) Don't Know Where I'm Going (Rory Gallagher) - 2:45
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: The
Story So Far
Company: Polydor
Catalog: PD-6519
Year: 1975
Grade
(cover/record): NM/NM
Comments: unplayed;
still sealed
Available: 2
Price: $10.00
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Having already released one retrospective ("Sinner... and Saint"), in the wake of Gallagher's defection to Chrysalis, Polydor management sought to recoup some of it's investment with the release of 1976's
"The Story So
Far". Pulling a representative cross section of his catalog, the eight tracks represented material drawn from five of his six American Polydor albums ("Bullfrog Blues" was pulled from the European-only "Live In Europe" set). Musically the results provided an adequate, if limited retrospective. While one could argue over the track line up, for casual fans and the curious, it was one of the sets to buy ... (Nice to see Polydor spending so much on the classy cover art.)
"The Story So Far" track listing:
1.) Laundromat (Rory Gallagher) -
2.) Cradle Rock (Rory Gallagher) -
3.) Walk On Hot Coals (Rory Gallagher) -
4.) Who's That Coming (Rory Gallagher) -
5.) In Your Town (Rory Gallagher) -
6.) Hands Off (Rory Gallagher) -
7.) Too Much Alcohol (Rory Gallagher) -
8.) Bullfrog Blues (live)
(traditional arranged by Rory Gallagher) -
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Against
the Grain
Company: Chrysalis
Catalog: CHR
Year: 1976
Grade
(cover/record): --
Comments: --
Available: --
Price: $
--
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Gallagher
seemed poised on the verge of mega stardom with the release of 1976's "Against
the Grain".
Having signed a lucrative deal with Chyrsalis (which seemed anxious to break
the guitarist to a wide audience),
"Against
the Grain" track listing:
1.)
Let Me In (Rory
Gallagher)
2.) Corss Me Off Your List (Rory
Gallagher)
3.) Ain't Too Good (Rory
Gallagher)
4.) Souped-Up Ford (Rory
Gallagher)
5.) Bought and Sold (Rory
Gallagher)
6.)
I Take What I Want (Porter/Hodges/Hayes)
7.) Lost At Sea (Rory
Gallagher)
8.) All Around Man (Bo
Carter)
9.) Out On the Western
Plain (Leadbelly)
10.) At the Bottom (Rory
Gallagher)
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Calling
Card
Company: Chrysalis
Catalog: CHR
1124
Year: 1976
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: cut
corner; original inner sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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Having produced himself for the last umpteen
years, 1976's "Calling Card"
saw Gallagher taking advantage of his contract with Chrysalis (and the
company's substantially larger budget), to record his second LP for the
label in Munich, Germany with Deep Purple alumnus/bass player Roger Glover
handling the boards. Glover' influence was fairly obvious, the
collection standing as one of Gallagher's most rock-oriented releases.
Penning some of his most impressive material, Gallagher and company
sounded calm, confident and as if they was having a great deal of
fun. The album again benefited from the added flexibility allowed by a
four piece line up. Want to hear a Gallagher song with
synthesizers? Check out the opener "Do You Read
Me". Interestingly, while "Jackknife Beat",
"Country Mile" and "Secret Agent" were two of his best
out-and-out rockers, the ballad "I'll Admit You're Gone" and the
stunning "Edged In Blue" were the two highlights. On a
regular basis we debate Gallagher's best all-around LP. Ignoring some
of the live efforts, this studio set comes up more often than not.
"Calling
Card" track listing:
1.) Do You Read
Me (Rory Gallagher) -
2.) Country
Mile (Rory Gallagher) -
3.)
Moonchild (Rory Gallagher) -
4.) Calling
Card (Rory Gallagher) -
5.) I'll Admit
You're Gone (Rory Gallagher) -
6.) Secret
Agent (Rory Gallagher) -
7.) Jackknife
Beat (Rory Gallagher) -
8.) Edged In
Blue (Rory Gallagher) -
9.) Barley and
Grape Rag (Rory Gallagher) -
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Photo-Finish
Company: Chrysalis
Catalog: CHR
1170
Year: 1978
Grade
(cover/record): NM/NM
Comments: minor
corner wear
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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After eight studio sets, anyone expecting a major change in musical direction was bound to be disappointed by 1978's
"Photo Finish". On the other hand, anyone who was a true Gallagher fan saw this as another stellar addition to the catalog. Co-produced with Alan O'Duffy, to our ears tracks such as the roaring "Brute Force and Ignorance" and "Cruise On Out" made the album looser and more varied than some of his earlier releases. While tracks such as "Shin Kicker", "Last of the Independents" and the driving "Cloak and Dagger" showcased Gallagher's trademark blazing strat, material such as "Shadow Play" and "Overnight Bug" (a wonderful ballad) underscored the oft forgotten fact that Gallagher was an accomplished vocalist. Gifted with a deep, soulful voice (check out his delivery on "The
Mississippi Sheiks"), Gallagher's performances were miles ahead of Alvin Lee and frequently on a par with the likes of Steve Gibbons and Frankie Miller (two of out favorites). The overall results make this one of our favorite releases ...
"Photo Finish" track listing:
1.) Shin Kicker (Rory Gallagher) -
2.) Brute Force and Ignorance (Rory Gallagher) -
3.) Cruise On Out (Rory Gallagher) -
4.) Cloak and Dagger (Rory Gallagher) -
5.) Overnight Bag (Rory Gallagher) -
6.) Shadow Play (Rory Gallagher) -
7.) The Mississippi Sheiks (Rory Gallagher) -
8.) The Last of the Independants (Rory Gallagher) -
9.) Fuel To the Fire (Rory Gallagher) -
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Top
Priority
Company: Chrysalis
Catalog: CHR
1235
Year: 1979
Grade
(cover/record): NM/NM
Comments: minor
corner wear; has original inner sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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With Gallagher continuing his extensive touring
schedule, he began to garner significant press attention, particularly in
the States. More than will to cash in on the publicity, Chrysalis
rushed Gallagher back into the studio. Continuing his relationship
with producer Alan O'Duffy, 1979's "Top
Priority" (reportedly named after Chrysalis' promise to
support the album), stood as Gallagher's most mainstream rock effort.
That wasn't to say Gallagher sold out the blues. Virtually every one
of the nine tracks was underscored by a blues base, however tracks such as
"Wayward Child", "Keychain" and "Bad Penny"
were among the most mainstream and commercial things he'd ever penned.
Perhaps because of its interesting lyric and strong melody, to our ears the
standout track was "Philby" (how often do you hear a song about an
infamous British spy?). A close second, the scorching "Just Hit
Town". As a minor footnote, our copy of the album has a slightly
different cover (we were too lazy to take a digital image). Same photo
of Gallagher, but centered and surrounded by a white background and a red
"Top Priority" stamp.)
"Top
Priority" track listing:
1.) Follow
Me (Rory Gallagher) -
2.) Philby
(Rory Gallagher) -
3.) Wayward
Child (Rory Gallagher) -
4.) Keychain
(Rory Gallagher) -
5.) At the
Depot (Rory Gallagher) -
6.) Bad
Penny (Rory Gallagher) -
7.) Just Hit
Town (Rory Gallagher) -
8.) Off the
Handle (Rory Gallagher) -
9.) Public Enemy
No 1 (Rory Gallagher) -
9.) Public Enemy
No 1 (Rory Gallagher) -
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Stage
Struck
Company: Chrysalis
Catalog: CHR
1280
Year: 1980
Grade
(cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: promotional
stamp on back cover; original inner sleeve
Available: 1
Price:
$12.00
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In a curious marketing move (perhaps not so curious given Gallagher was leaving for a new label), 1980's
"Stage Struck" saw Chrysalis reaching into the archives to pull material from a 1979/80 world tour (material was drawn from Australian, French, Irish and American dates). Given there were already two live sets (1972's "Rory Gallagher Live!" and 1974's "Irish Tour '74"), you couldn't exactly claim this release was a necessity. On the other hand the self-produced set was interesting for switching the focus from blues to Gallagher's rock and boogie catalogs. Backed by bassist McAvoy and drummer McKenna, material such as "Wayward Child", "Brute Force And Arrogance", "Moonchild" and "Floow Me" made it clear Gallagher had all the talents required to take on his more successful 'guitar god' contemporaries. (Any Whitesnake fans out there? This simply shreds those imitators to shreds). Once again, Gallagher proved a surprisingly accomplished vocalist. In the meantime, tired of the constant touring, McKenna quit. He was quickly replaced by Brendan O'Neill.
"Stage Struck" track listing:
1.) Shin Kicker (Rory Gallagher)
2.) Wayward Child (Rory Gallagher)
3.) Brute Force And Arrogance (Rory Gallagher)
4.) Moonchild (Rory Gallagher)
5.) Follow Me (Rory Gallagher)
6.) Bought and Sold (Rory Gallagher)
7.) The Last of the Independents (Rory Gallagher)
8.) Shadow Play (Rory Gallagher)
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Jinx
Company: Mercury
Catalog: CHR
1170
Year: 1982
Grade
(cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor
ring, edge and corner wear
Available: 1
Price: $15.00
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Ending his longstanding business relationship with Chrysalis (7 years and 5 albums), 1982's
"Jinx" found Gallagher and company signed to Mercury. The change seemed to reinvigorate Gallagher, who turned in his strongest set in years. Self-produced, material such as "The Devil Made Me Do It", the bluesy "Easy Come, Easy Go" and "Signals" found Gallagher turning in a scorching set of originals. In contrast to recent releases, not only was Gallagher's guitar playing breathtaking (check out the slide-propelled "Double Vision"), but his craggy voice had seldom sounded as good. Personal favorite; the atmospheric "Jinxed". Among the few missteps, in spite of a blazing guitar solo, the pedestrian "Big Guns" sounded like a Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy outtake. Tell ya' what, this is a good place for the
uninitiated to start ...
"Jinx" track listing:
1.) Signals (Rory Gallagher) - 4:31
2.) The Devil Made Me Do It (Rory Gallagher) - 2:54
3.) Double Vision (Rory Gallagher) - 4:48
4.) Easy Come, Easy Go (Rory Gallagher) - 2:54
5.) Big Guns (Rory Gallagher) - 3:25
6.) Jinxed (Rory Gallagher) - 5:10
7.) Bourbon (Rory Gallagher) - 3:52
8.) Ride On Red, Ride On (M. Levy - H. Glover - T. Reid) - 4:17
9.) Loose Talk (Rory Gallagher) - 3:50
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