- Audio CD (1 Mar 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Sbme Special Mkts
- ASIN: B0012GMZA4
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 566,993 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard of Rory Gallagher when I saw footage of him from "The Old Grey Whistle Test" which was recorded in 1976 (when I was aged one). The track was a fast rocker with a memorable riff so good my friends played it in their band. Although we did not know the name of the song! Then one day recognised it being played from a pub jukebox which featured this album.
Anyway, the track was Let Me In which is a great opener to Against The Grain. Souped Up Ford is also a super charged rocker and follows a Gallagher tradition in singing about speed (such as Country Mile).
The stand out track for me though is All Around Man, an urgent blues rocker that begins with Gallagher screaming and crying together with just his electric guitar until the band kicks in with a stop-start blues rhythm. Fantastic!
A great acoustic moment is Gallagher's version of Leadbelly's "Out On the Western Plain," with its combination of Indian chords, American Delta folk and cowboy "yippee-ki-yay" chorus. Bought and Sold, with Congas is the hit single that never was, and Gallagher records a playful cover of Sam and Dave's I Take What I Want.
Presumably the album was named Against The Grain as Rory as remaining true to the music he loved while his contempories were moving into more commerical sounds. This is one of Rory's finest, matched only by Calling Card and the two early live albums, and features a good mix of rock, delta blues and country.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I sense a much welcome reappraisal of the great man's work is taking place, and there are now some genuinely wonderful releases coming out that capture this lovable Irish bluesman at his best. Looking through the reviews I notice that this mid-70's album seems to be undervalued in amongst the better known recordings. I think that this arguably marks the end of his peak creative years and that although he continued to be an amazing live performer, his records never quite matched this quality again. Against the Grain has a real crackling electricity and vibrancy to it and the material is very strong from start to finish. There is also an accessibility and commercial spark to this album that should have broken him to a new and bigger audience, and if the BBC ever do release the OGWT concert that showcased these tracks then you'll see Rory at the very top of his game. He really pulled out all the stops on Against the Grain and captured a great sound from the studio. The keyboards of Lou Martin really gelled with Rory's guitar on this album and genuinely added to the palette of sounds and moods. There is a whiplash energy and urgency to the uptempo numbers and the soloing is concise and never outstays its welcome. Out on the Western Plain perfectly captures the myth and mystery of the old West and repeated listenings reveal depths to the song that can easily escape the casual listen. Perhaps the highlight of the album is All Around Man and Gallagher is all over the song in a real display of showmanship that captures the performative element of blues so often lacking in other white bluesmen. This album really is Gallagher off the leash in the studio and is a riot from its opening bars, to the closing plaintive cry and sincerity of At The Bottom, one of his most affecting songs and emotive vocals. No Gallagher fan should be without this.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
One of my favourite Rory CD's. A great mixture of material from the rock of 'Let Me In' and 'I Take What I Want' to the acoustic country blues of 'Out On The Western Plain'. A must for any fan.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Superb
Bought this to replace vinyl version. The mix is slightly different but the playing is brilliant. Slide playing on Souped up Ford and the finger picked acoustic stuff are great.
Published 5 months ago by Alan
Rory revisited
I first owned Against the Grain as a vinyl and lost it one time when I moved house. I'm over the moon to hear Rory's brilliant guitar again and revel in the happy memories raised... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Caz
Great album - indifferent remix
This CD gets a 3 because of an indifferent remix (the 'Cross Me Off Your List' track is really pretty awful). Also, why change the original cover...? Read more
Published on 29 Sep 2007 by Cozynut
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