Rory Gallagher - where to start?

[prand]

Much to my shame, I've somehow never knowingly managed to sit down and listen to any music by Rory Gallagher, even though I am a fan of blues/rock from the 70s. All I was aware was that he had a big following, and a big influence over many guitarists, and I remember vaguley he died in the 90s, not many years older than I am now.

I've just rightly had a dressing down from a friend for this, so who has a favourite album/track I should look out for and start to give me a late education?

And does anyone have any tales about their own Rory Gallagher experience?

[GAjon]

Try here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsgtxIWZndI

Try 74 Irish tour live.

It seemed to me Rory and band was always on tour in the seventies and I went to watch them several times.
Always energetic shows, but no frills.
The enduring image for me is the power chords whilst jumping backwards, flicking his plectrum in the air and catching it as he landed.

[Riff Raff]

There are a lot of albums out there, some better than others in terms of the quality of the recordings.

My favourites are the 'Live' albums - especially Live in Europe and Irish Tour. The BBC Sessions album is good too. And don't forget the various 'Taste' recordings.

My favourite track? Probably the live version of Shadowplay from 'Stagestruck'.

[AdeTuono]

Another vote for Irish Tour '74. Top of his game, and shows both sides of his talent, acoustic and electric. There's also a new album, Kickback City, just released with some of his better known tracks which is a good intro.

http://www.rorygallagher.com/#/news/2013/09/kickba...

Also...Big Guns; Best Of.

http://www.rorygallagher.com/#/discography/big_gun...

Incredibly hard working, always on tour and seemed to stick to the smaller venues, keeping it 'real'. A genuine man of the people.

[kiteless]

Personally, I'd start at the beginning : Taste

[Nick M]

Would echo what everyone has said so far - love the 'Irish Tour' album.

My favourite live track is 'Brute Force and Ignorance' (saw a video of it on TOTP2 a while back too), and possibly my favourite studio track (among several) is 'Who's that coming', with the acoustic intro swapping over to a really dirty sounding slide guitar piece. The live version on 'Irish Tour' is pretty good too.

[Wacky Racer]

Full film here:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpQdKzq29W8

Arguably the finest fly on the wall music film ever made.

Drummer Rod De'Ath today....

http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/rod-death-...

[K12beano]

I was late to the RG party too.

When I got there I found the first Rory Gallagher album and was hooked right from ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j75fl5lz2Pg Laundromat.


Often can't get that out of my head!!! Wacky and brilliant!

[suthol]

Watching the Irish Tour DVD as I type, interesting I never noticed before in the first concert footage ( Tatooed Lady ) that between long shots he switches from a capoed Tele to his battered old Strat.

I also have the Rockpalast DVD set where you can see his health deterioate.

Also have a read of Riding Shotgun, Gerry McEvoy's memories in playing with Rory.

[prand]

Brilliant, many thanks all, just had a quick squizz at Youtube (isn't it a brilliant thing?!), and like what I hear/see. Ceertainly a great talent with his fingers and just the sort of voice I like.

Anyone know why he didn't hit the heights of his contemporaries? Was he not flamboyant enough, did he not have the right sort of (Peter Grant style) management? An early death didn't help I suppose even though it looks like he packed in a huge amount of performances, as we ought to be still seeing him live today.

[Graculus]

Saw, and met, Rory many times and was in the mobile recording studio at the rear of the Ulster Hall in Belfast during the recording of "Stage Struck". Ironically, the least stage struck person you would ever encounter...

Always came to Belfast and performed for us during the worst of The Troubles while others stayed away. That alone earned him a special place in the hearts of music fans here but his shows were always buzzing and sometimes it seemed like he'd play all night! Great times (if you forget the bombing and shooting bit), greater musician...

Have a listen to his second album, Deuce. Very simple production and all the better for it, one of my favourites.

"A little bit of acoustic" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxChSF5GUB8

[RichB]

Good documentary about him now on Sky Arts 1 HD...

[suthol]

RichB said:

Good documentary about him now on Sky Arts 1 HD...

What was it called so I can ( ahem ) aquire it

[RichB]

Ghost Blues - The Story of Rory Gallagher

http://www.rorygallagher.com/#/news/2012/01/ghost_...

[Active75]

Rory was a real player for the people, just a great Blues Rock Guitarist in my opinion. I was also fortunate to see Rory, Rod, Gerry and Lou Martin play many times. The Marquee in Wardour Street I think 1975 was particularly good,( I even had the hair style, the check shirt and the sneakers..) Think they did 3 nights running. All of his band were great, I was a great fan of Gerry McAvoys Bass playing too. The manic solo on Bullfrog Blues followed by Rod and Lou was just a real crowd winner. I have a signed copy of Gerrys Book Riding Shotgun, which gives a great insight- Gerrys view- on the setup, and I also appreciate his brother Donals take on the era.
Rory was also rumored to have been asked to try out for the Stones before Ronnie Wood, as well as Deep Purple.

[RichB]

Active75 said:

Rory was also rumored to have been asked to try out for the Stones before Ronnie Wood

Indeed, mentioned in the programme shown this evening.

[suthol]

RichB said:

Ghost Blues - The Story of Rory Gallagher

http://www.rorygallagher.com/#/news/2012/01/ghost_...

Thanks aquisition under way

Just to add, I think Rory had far more strings to his bow than blues rock, I often hear celtic influences in his note choice and phrasing and also some interesting chords.

[goldblum]

prand said:

Anyone know why he didn't hit the heights of his contemporaries? Was he not flamboyant enough,

He just wasn't that good. Sorry. He's the Springsteen of blues guitar and had he lived would have got the fame he deserved in the end...by plugging along rather than being a fantastic musician.

Personally I think his stuff's passable but instantly forgettable as well.

[Halmyre]

Active75 said:

Rory was a real player for the people, just a great Blues Rock Guitarist in my opinion. I was also fortunate to see Rory, Rod, Gerry and Lou Martin play many times. The Marquee in Wardour Street I think 1975 was particularly good,( I even had the hair style, the check shirt and the sneakers..) Think they did 3 nights running. All of his band were great, I was a great fan of Gerry McAvoys Bass playing too. The manic solo on Bullfrog Blues followed by Rod and Lou was just a real crowd winner. I have a signed copy of Gerrys Book Riding Shotgun, which gives a great insight- Gerrys view- on the setup, and I also appreciate his brother Donals take on the era.
Rory was also rumored to have been asked to try out for the Stones before Ronnie Wood, as well as Deep Purple.

I'd never heard that he was even considered for Deep Purple - presumably this was in 1975? Mind you, in those days if someone left a band the names of everyone and their auntie would be thrown around.

[Stelvio1]

Stones?, Deep Purple? - why would Rory want to lower his sights?? - RG was without doubt the best ever live guitarist I ever did see, absolutely awesome