Rory Gallagher
By Mike O’Cull
Fans of Irish blues guitar hero Rory Gallagher will be ecstatic to learn that Gallagher’s legendary self-titled debut album from 1971 is getting an amazing boxed set reissue in honor of its 50th anniversary titled Rory Gallagher 50th Anniversary Edition. The package drops in multiple formats on September 3rd, 2021 via UMC and the full bug includes 4 CDs and 1 DVD of previously unreleased tracks, outtakes, BBC Radio sessions, a hardback book, plus a rare never-before-released concert Pop Deux produced in 1971 for French television. The album will also be released on single-disc orange vinyl (BBC Sessions) and a 3-disc black vinyl package. Gallagher’s debut effort has come to be regarded as a milestone and introduced the world to both his playing and to some of his finest original songs. Celebrating five decades of new and old Gallagher fans flipping over these tracks with a well-rounded, multimedia edition of the record and its surrounding content is cool, respectful, and a whole lot of fun.
Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and folk hero Rory Gallagher is arguably the best and most influential musician Ireland has ever produced. He was a self-taught master who never adopted the ways of fame and fortune, choosing instead to remain dedicated to the art of the blues and his calling to play them. He was born in Ballyshannon, Donegal in 1948 and grew to become a guitar legend who caused a musical revolution in Ireland, was recruited by The Rolling Stones, and influenced generations of musicians including Slash, Brian May, The Edge, Johnny Marr, and countless others. His death at only 47 years old in 1995 cut short his unforgettable career and left a gaping hole in the guitar community that will never be filled.
The new, expanded edition of Rory Gallagher is a treasure chest of riches for even the most avid Gallagher fans. The original album tracks are well-represented and the primordial quartet of Gallagher on vocals, guitars, alto sax, harmonica, and mandolin, Gerry McAvoy on bass, Wilgar Campbell on drums and percussion, and Vincent Crane on piano is as impressive as ever. “Laundromat,” “I Fall Apart,” and “Just The Smile” eagerly reaffirm Gallagher’s legend for those who may somehow have missed them the first time around. The expanded content in this set, however, is where Rory superfans will find their glory. Included is an alternate take of “Laundromat,” six alternate takes of “Hands Up,” three of “Sinner Boy,” three of “For The Last Time,” and two each of “It’s You” and “I’m Not Surprised.”
This kind of previously unattainable material is why we love boxed sets and serious fans will enjoy hearing the performances that were unleashed but didn’t make the final cut. New songs were also discovered during the remixing sessions for this ambitious project including “At The Bottom,” which was re-recorded for 1975’s Against The Grain album, and the instrumental “Advision Jam.”
All manner of sweet blues treats and rarities fill out the rest of the set and will keep Rory lovers busy for a while. “Gypsy Woman” is a killer, laidback blues from sessions done at London’s Tangerine Studios that’s all vibe and phrasing. Versions of “I Fall Apart” and “Wave Myself Goodbye” were also captured there. A slew of Live on BBC performances are included and demonstrate how brilliantly Gallagher related to his band and his songs in the moment. “For The Last Time” features an unforgettable Gallagher solo that shows how well he could stretch out without ever dissolving into mindless pentatonic wanking. A live take of “Laundromat” from Sounds Of The Seventies is vital and ferocious and the version from the show John Peel Sunday Concert hits even harder.
The video footage of Gallagher contains performance and interview footage shot for the French TV show ‘Pop Deux’ in 1971 and is worth the price of admission all on its own. Gallagher looks and sounds so intensely alive in it that fans will mourn his loss all over again. His battered Stratocaster tone and soul-drenched vocals are absolutely captivating and you won’t want to miss a moment of the gig. The 50th Anniversary Box Set of 1971 album “Rory Gallagher” is a stone cold blast from beginning to end and is a fitting memorial to the record that made Gallagher a permanent part of so many record collections. Highly recommended.
Rory Gallagher 50th Anniversary Edition Pre-order link here
Listen to “I’m Not Surprised”
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