ALBUM REVIEW: Rory Gallagher – Blues (3-CD)

The word ‘Legend’ is so overused these days, especially in music. Artists who seem to have been around for five minutes are routinely tagged with the word. In truth there are few legends and fewer guitarists who deserve that mantle: Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Prince, Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson, Ritchie Blackmore, Muddy Waters, Freddy King, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Beck would make up my list. Players like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen, Albert Collins, Mick Ronson, Randy Rhoads, John Lee Hooker, Curtis Mayfield, Elmore James, Carlos Santana, Robin Trower, Duane Allman, Brian “I owe Rory Gallagher my sound” May and Angus Young you could probably argue their way in.

And whilst players like Dave Gilmour, Pete Townshend, Slash, Chuck Berry, Dave Davies, Dimebag Darrell, Andy Summers, John Fahey, Dick Dale, John McLaughlin, Neil Young, T-Bone Walker, BB King, Johnny Winter, Robert Fripp, Peter Green, Joe Walsh, Otis Rush, Jerry Garcia, James Burton, Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler, Tom Morello, Mick Taylor, Bert Jansch, Bo Diddly, Tony Iommi, Buddy Guy, Les Paul, Paul Gilbert, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Moore and Derek Trucks might be great and iconic along with potentially hundreds of other modern day masters are they ‘Legends’? I guess it depends on how you define the term. I see ‘Legends’ as describing those whose music you can’t imagine living without

To be honest though, without sounding disrespectful it’s a long way before some of mainstream media’s current darlings like Jack White, Graham Coxon, Matt Bellamy, Josh Homme or Peter Buck let alone players like Serge Pizzorno, Nick Valensi, Billie Joe Armstrong, Jonny Greenwood or Joey Santiago even get to look at the list of legends.

I’d argue for one further addition to the ‘Legends’ list though and that man would be Rory Gallagher. The new 3-CD release ‘Blues’ is my reason why. Not because its a collection of his best work but because it gives a snapshot of what goes to make up the soul of the man.

As a non-guitarist I’ve to be honest never been that impressed by technical flash and wizardry, guitar appreciation for me has always been more about tone and feel. Of course some guitarists have it all, but I’d much rather hear a guitarist who can make me weep than one who can impress other guitarists with his perfect timing and tapping technique.

Gallagher as a Blues guitarist strode his own path and never looked back – he started out forming Rock’s first Power Trio in Taste (John Lennon’s favourite ban some say); he took over from Clapton in Melody Maker’s famous Musician of the Year Poll in 1972; he was first choice to replace Mick Taylor in The Stones and was David Coverdales’ second choice (after Jeff Beck) to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. He, however, chose to continue to make his own music.

Gallagher was the man Clapton attributed with getting him back into the Blues and the man that Brain May says he appropriated his sound from. He is also the man who really understood the heart and soul of the Blues particularly the Chicago and Delta styles. But when you throw into the mix his prowess as a saxophonist and the fact he was a helluva vocalist you get a true individual talent.

Gallagher was also the first of his generation to eschew Marshall stacks in favor of his small Vox and Fender combo amps. He craved and cared about the sound. And whilst he played electric and acoustic Blues like the best of them most of all for me the real true magic of Gallagher was his improvisation, something more than Beck, Clapton or even Hendrix had in their bag of tricks.

This 3CD set from the vaults of the Gallagher estate’s tape archive encompasses it all and whilst it misses so much it really does capture the essence of the man split as it is into three sets – ‘Electric’ (CD1); ‘Acoustic’ (CD2) and ‘Live’ (CD3). Best for fans though is that this is essentially Rory playing his favourite material and all of it is either rare and/or unreleased.

The best version of ‘Blues’ of course is the 3CD version (though there are single CD and limited vinyl versions of the release) which contains almost 90% unreleased material including special guest sessions with legendary blues artists Muddy Waters and Albert King, some wonderful ‘lost’ radio sessions, as well as performances with legends like Jack Bruce, Lonnie Donegan (who of course was a formative influence for the young Rory) and Chris Barber. The 3-CD edition also adds an extensive booklet containing unseen pictures of Rory plus a new essay by award winning Blues/Rock writer Jas Obrecht (not seen by this reviewer).

Most collections like this aim themselves firmly at one market – the collector but interestingly even though the majority of the material here has never seen a release it also acts as a wonderful overview of Rory’s career with the collection draw from various sources from 1971 – 1994 spanning almost his entire solo career. That’s not to say it’s a Greatest Hits by any means – there’s no ‘Moonchild’, ‘Edged in Blue’, ‘Walk on Hot Coals’, ‘Tattooed Lady’, or many of what you might consider ‘Top Ten Gallagher.’ There are however some wonderful renditions of some of his best songs – a sizzling version of  ‘Bullfrog Blues’ (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972) rounds out the ‘Electric Disc’; and there’s a great take on ‘ A Million Miles Away’ (Unreleased BBC Radio 1 Session 1973) on the same disc. I also love the outtake of ‘As the Crow Flies’ from the Tattoo sessions.

The ‘Acoustic Disc’ is a joy from start to finish comprised as it is of outtakes and radio sessions and the ‘Live’ disc is just the icing on the cake, I could pull out highlights and wax lyrical but it would be rather moot as there’s nothing here that isn’t there for a reason. This really is a collection to treasure.

Gallagher was one of the few modern day Bluesmen who is instantly recognisable and I think I love his playing so much as it feels so real, he wasn’t interested in ‘note perfect’ copies of the classics, he never seemed to play the same song in the same way twice and in that you could feel the joy the Blues gave him, the force of nature that guided his fingers. The Blues is a living thing and like B.B. King and Buddy Guy before him, Gallagher let his guitar take you on a trip through the story and into the belly of the song. His vocals were perfect for what he did, and with an acoustic in hand he could channel Lead Belly and Big Bill, but not without adding and giving part of himself.  Most of all he believed in his vision and remained true to it throughout. To me there’s no-one quite like Rory and this is a wonderful addition to any Blues collection.

Track Listing – 3 CD Deluxe Edition

CD 1 – Electric Blues

1. Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (Unreleased track from the Jinx album sessions 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from the Against The Grain album sessions 1975)
3. Tore Down (Unreleased track from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Off The Handle (Unreleased session Paul Jones Show BBC Radio 1986)
5. I Could’ve Had Religion (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)
6. As the Crow Flies (Unreleased track from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
7. A Million Miles Away (Unreleased BBC Radio 1 Session 1973)
8. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
9. Leaving Town Blues (Tribute track from Peter Green ‘Rattlesnake Guitar’ 1994)
10. Drop Down Baby (Rory guest guitar on Lonnie Donegan’s “Puttin’ On The Style” album 1978
11. I’m Ready (Guest guitarist on Muddy Waters ‘London Sessions’ album 1971)
12. Bullfrog Blues (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)

CD 2 – Acoustic Blues

1. Who’s That Coming (Acoustic outtake from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
2. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
3. Prison Blues (Unreleased track from Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Secret Agent (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1976)
5. Blow Wind Blow (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)
6. Bankers Blues (Outtake from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
7. Whole Lot Of People (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
8. Loanshark Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from German TV 1987)
9. Pistol Slapper Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from Irish TV 1976)
10. Can’t Be Satisfied (Unreleased Radio FFN session from 1992)
11. Want Ad Blues (Unreleased RTE Radio Two Dave Fanning session 1988)
12. Walkin’ Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1987)

CD 3 – Live Blues

1. When My Baby She Left Me (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
3. What In The World (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
4. I Wonder Who (Unreleased live track from late 1980s)
5. Messin’ With The Kid (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
6. Tore Down (Unreleased track from Newcastle City Hall concert 1977)
7. Garbage Man Blues (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
8. All Around Man (Unreleased track from BBC OGWT Special 1976)
9. Born Under A Bad Sign (Unreleased track from Rockpalast 1991 w/ Jack Bruce)
10. You Upset Me (Unreleased guest performance from Albert King album ‘Live’ 1975)
11. Comin’ Home Baby (Unreleased track from 1989 concert with Chris Barber Band)
12. Rory Talking Blues (Interview track of Rory talking about the blues)

1 CD Version

1. Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (Unreleased track from the Jinx album sessions 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from the Against The Grain album sessions 1975)
3. Tore Down (Unreleased track from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Off The Handle (Unreleased session Paul Jones Show BBC Radio 1986)
5. A Million Miles Away (Unreleased BBC Radio 1 Session 1973)
6. Leaving Town Blues (Tribute track from Peter Green ‘Rattlesnake Guitar’ 1994)
7. As the Crow Flies (Unreleased track from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
8. Secret Agent (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1976)
9. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
10. Prison Blues (Unreleased track from Blueprint album sessions 1973)
11. Who’s That Coming (Acoustic outtake from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
12. I’m Ready (Guest guitarist on Muddy Waters ‘London Sessions’ album 1971)
13. What In The World (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
14. Garbage Man Blues (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
15. Born Under A Bad Sign (Unreleased track from Rockpalast 1991 w/ Jack Bruce)

2 LP / Limited Edition Blue Vinyl 2 LP Version

Side 1

1. Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (Unreleased track from the Jinx album sessions 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from the Against The Grain album sessions 1975)
3. Tore Down (Unreleased track from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Off The Handle (Unreleased session Paul Jones Show BBC Radio 1986)

Side 2

1. A Million Miles Away (Unreleased BBC Radio 1 Session 1973)
2. Leaving Town Blues (Tribute track from Peter Green ‘Rattlesnake Guitar’ 1994)
3. I’m Ready (Guest guitarist on Muddy Waters ‘London Sessions’ album 1971)
4. As the Crow Flies (Unreleased track from Tattoo album sessions 1973)

Side 3

1. Who’s That Coming (Acoustic outtake from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
2. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
3. Prison Blues (Unreleased track from Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Secret Agent (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1976)

Side 4

1. What In The World (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
2. Garbage Man Blues (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
3. Born Under A Bad Sign (Unreleased track from Rockpalast 1991 w/ Jack Bruce)

IF you want more – Rory Gallagher’s Essential Albums…

If you haven’t delved into Rory’s back catalogue yet then there’s a lot to enjoy but we’d suggest that you start with these and work your way from there…

Rory Gallagher’s ‘BLUES’ is released on Friday 31^st May via CHESS Records. Pre-order via https://rorygallagher.lnk.to/BluesPR