The Beat Club Sessions [CD]

It was 17th December 1974 at the now demolished and sadly missed Capitol Theatre in Cardiff where I attended my second ever rock concert (my first was Genesis which was great but a much more restrained affair). And what an absolute blinder it was with Rory Gallagher one of the most consummate and charismatic showman on the circuit pulling out all the stops in theatre that was so hot by the end it felt like a Florida swamp . With his beat up old Sunburst Fender Stratocaster he was a guitar player of such staggering ability that seasoned old bluesmen would watch in shock and awe. In the seventies this unassuming Irishman spent so much time on the Old Grey Whistle Test that he ought to have paid council tax to the BBC. Indeed in those days before video I recorded his 1976 OGWT special on a cassette with a cheap microphone taped to the television speaker which also captured a cat fight outside! It was worth it for the joyful Leadbelly cover "Out on the Western plain" and a blistering performance of "All round man" in a magical live TV concert recorded on Rory Gallagher's 28th birthday.

Gallagher was one of the most prolific touring artists and his great live albums of this era especially the "Irish Tour 1974" are peerless (his insistence on touring throughout Ireland during "the Troubles" was a mark of the man). He was also constantly in demand from television across the US and Europe and thus we have the Beat Club Sessions. These are previously unreleased live recordings made for the German TV series of the same name and recorded over three different appearances in the early seventies.

The material concentrates on his debut and sophomore albums which in turn were the primary sources for his live shows throughout his career. Indeed the sessions contain most of the songs which appeared on the excellent "Live in Europe 1972". That said the versions on this album are of an impeccable sound quality which that album lacks and in the case of songs like "Laundromat", "In your town" and Messin with the kid" they actually rank and sometimes surpass the originals. "Laundromat" in particular is a funky blues delight with Gallagher enjoying every minute and playing like a demon. You are nevertheless drawn to the extended blues workouts of "Should've Learned My Lesson" and a stellar version of "I could've had religion" with Gallagher showcasing his masterful bottleneck skills. Likewise you smile with affection at the rough hewn acoustic blues of "I don't know where I'm going" with that passionate voice and great harmonica playing.

Gallagher tragically died prematurely in 1995 on June 14, at age 47. He had suffered from drink problems but had also been prescribed highly additive anti depressants which had pushed him into a vicious circle which his brother Donal bitterly regrets since he feels it was completely avoidable. Gallagher was a musician who was and who remains greatly loved. In the forthcoming month we will also see the release of "Ghost blues" where musicians as diverse as The Edge, Slash, Johnny Marr, James Dean Bradfield and Bill Wyman will pay the warmest of tributes. The 2 disk DVD will also include the complete and fully authorised story of Rory Gallagher and 90 minutes of the sessions captured live from Beat Club where the late great Irishman will be once again be in his element playing some of the finest rock guitar ever recorded for your intense delectation and enjoyment. It will be absolutely indispensable, just like this recording.

This is a welcome addition to Rory's official releases , these live in the studio performances are from Rory's early solo career, post-Taste . As such some of the bluesier and gentler side of Rory's art appears alongside his fiery rock songs. His slide playing is tremendous. This CD is a companion to the brilliant DVD release which shows the performances. Rory Gallagher - Ghost Blues [DVD]

The late lamented Rory Gallagher will always be my guitar/blues/rock/musical hero, and this CD shows him at his very best just after he released the eponymous album in 1971. He plays some very well known tracks with his own inimitable virtuosity, and every track is memorable. This CD is a "must" for all Rory fans, and for those who are just keen to know why he was the very best!