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Rory
Gallagher
Bottom Line, New York, NY, USA
11th Nov 1978 - Early Show
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Rory
Gallagher - vocals, guitars, harmonica
Gerry McAvoy - bass
Ted McKenna - drums, percussion
Irish blues guitarist Rory Gallagher was in peak form when
this energetic and highly entertaining set was recorded at
the legendary Bottom Line club in New York City in the fall
of 1978. Gallagher had been on the European music scene for
nearly a decade (and a viable name in the U.S. for almost
six years) when he blew into the Big Apple for his first NY
show in almost two years.
Gallagher had returned to his power trio lineup of bass, drums
and guitar for this tour, after several years of touring with
a keyboardist as well. Long time bassist Gerry McAvoy is still
on board, and he and Gallagher are joined by drummer Ted McKenna,
who had previously played with the Sensational Alex Harvey
Band.
After a blistering performance during the show's sound check,
Gallagher launches into "Shin Kicker," a rhythmic romp that
sets the tone (both figuratively and sonically) for what ends
up to be an amazing set of British blues rock (even though
Gallagher, being Irish, would likely take exception). Early
in the show, Gallagher dives into the concert favorite "Garbage
Man," a slow blues number, which is a showcase for both his
edgy vocals and biting guitar style. Up-tempo tracks like
"Secret Agent" (not the same song made famous in the 1960s
by Johnny Rivers) act like a speedball injection, giving the
audience a reason to get up off their seats and cheer him
on.
Gallagher switches to acoustic guitar for "Out On The Western
Plain," which allows him to sing a delta-blues styled tale
of the Old West. Musically, it is right in the same league
as something Leo Kottke or John Fahey might do. "Too Much
Alcohol" is played in a similar style; it features Gallagher
alone on dobro, performing with a bottle neck slide. For the
end of the show, he reverts back to his better known blues
rockers, such as "Tattoo'd Lady," and his version of the Buddy
Guy / Junior Wells classic, "Messin' With The Kid."
Gallagher made a name for himself in 1969 with the band Taste,
who recorded three albums before splitting in 1971. Gallagher
recorded several solo albums between 1971 and 1991, but also
is noted for his session work on the legendary Muddy Waters
- the London Sessions album, released on Chess Records. Sadly,
he died after receiving a liver transplant in 1995 at the
age of 47.
Not long after this show, Gallagher's brand of blues rock
fell out of favor with radio programmers, and like artists
such as Robin Trower and Steve Marriott, he had to focus on
a smaller, but fiercely loyal, following. Although he never
received the worldwide recognition of Eric Clapton, Duane
Allman, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, he certainly deserves to
be remembered for the many excellent albums and tours he had
during his career.
Track Details: |
CD1:
1. Shin Kicker (3:29)
2. Do You Read Me (7:35)
3. Garbage Man (10:09)
4. Secret Agent (6:42)
5. Brute Force & Ignorance (6:21)
6. A Million Miles Away (7:56)
7. Shadow Play (6:28)
8. Out On The Western Plain (5:14)
9. Too Much Alcohol (5:20) |
CD2:
1. Bought And Sold (7:40)
2. Tattoo'd Lady (6:08)
3. Moonchild (9:35)
4. Bullfrog Blues / Sea Cruise (10:33)
5. Messin' With The Kid (7:38)
6. Roberta (5:35) |
| This
recording has been captured into a wave editor (Audition 1.5)
via streaming the playback of this concert from Wolfgangs
Vault website. The quality is excellent. At any one time you
may find around 550 concerts available to play at www.wolfgangsvault.com.
You can either play a single track or play the complete show.
You can also now BUY downloads of a selection of shows.
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