Having only got "into" Rory Gallagher in the last 2 years and doing my best to catch up, even though I have seen him in concert twice over the years, I finally got to hear this gem of a live gig. I have never heard it before on any other media, so I am unable to comment on how effective the remastering etc.... has been. What I can say with complete confidence is that it sounds stunning. I feel like opening the windows to let the steam rising from the crowd out. The atmosphere is electric and the band are in top form.
Rory has always been regarded as a master of the guitar and this live recording is proof positive that any hyperbole you have ever heard about his ability to make any type of guitar sing is all true. The man is literally in a league of his own. He is without doubt the best guitar player to ever come out of Ireland, possibly closely followed by Jim Armstrong(Them/Skboo/Jim Armstrong Blues Band/Light).
His backing band at this stage were I believe the finest that he ever had. Gerry McAvoy on bass, the only constant throughout Rorys solo career, solidly nailing the beat and shaping the changes while Rory soloed. Lou Martin on keyboards, adding a breadth to the live sound that is lacking in the trio setup. I love the sound of the cheap electric piano that he uses on a couple of the tracks, not flash, nothing fancy, just 100% right for the song. Finally Rod De'Ath on drums, flexible and always adding the right feel to each and every change the songs go through as the pace is held back and them ramped up to drive the crowd wild.
For anyone with any interest in Rory Gallaghers music this must surely be a must buy.