Search - Rory Gallagher :: Calling Card (Shm)

One of the best albums you've never heard of

S. J. West | Eads, TN United States | 11/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I lived in ignorance of Rory Gallagher for a long time until I read an article on him in one of last summer's issues of GUITAR PLAYER magazine. He sounded like someone I liked so I searched up and down until I found this album. I can't say I was disappointed!



It's a shame that Rory never caught on in the US like he did in Europe because this is a damn fine album. With production from Deep Purple/Rainbow bassist Roger Glover and backing from Rory's seasoned touring band, Rory made an album that should've made him a star in America.



This is quite a diverse album. "Country Mile" and "Secret Agent" are uptempo rockers while "Do You Read Me?" and "Jacknife Beat" rock at slower beats. The title cut is blues with a jazz edge. "Moonchild" is a minor key rocker in the vein of Glover's bandmate Ritchie Blackmore. "I'll Admit You're Gone" and "Edge in Blue" are gorgeous, melodic ballads and the album ends with the acoustic rave-up "Barley and Grape Rag." The two bonus cuts are good, but seem to interrupt the perfect end "Barley and Grape Rag" provides.



I'm thankful I read the GUITAR PLAYER article and picked up this album. Rory was an amazing guitarist, writer, and singer. If you've never heard his music, give this CD a spin. For those of us who have heard Rory Gallagher, pass it on..."

Dynamo Gallagher blitz...

William Walker | Australia | 03/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Rory Gallagher at Adelaide's Festival Theatre in 1979. This three piece blew me away and helped shape my direction as a player and a listener of blues.



He played alot from "Calling Card" that night which blew the crowd apart and help thrust this guy to the top of the perch from an adoring crowd.



This album, without pinpointing tracks necessarily, time capsules the feeling of the blues tinged 70's interlaced with hints of jazz which will last forever. The album still sounds fresh when played to unsuspecting ears.



Great Stratocaster guitar combined with the best blues voice of the era, "Calling Card" rates in my top ten albums of all time and I've listened to thousands! Buy it and enjoy the moment...."

Rocks Greatest Guitarist?

David Whiting | North Carolina | 05/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once asked how it felt to be the greatest rock guitarist in the world, Jimi Hendrix replied, "I wouldn't know. Ask Rory Gallagher."



This as good as a studio album as Rory recorded but nothing matches his live recordings.

Stand out cuts are the title track, Calling Card and Country Mile.

Two bonus tracks help out in making this a great studio effort of Rory at his peak.

As mentioned in the liner notes, sadly this would be the last album with Rory's amazing band, Gerry McAvoy on bass, Lou Martin on keyboards and Roddy de'Ath on drums.



After all these years, and so long after Rory's untimely death, his music still has the gut-punch as the day these tracks were laid down.

I'm always surprised at how many rock/blues fanatics have never heard Rory. Like the great Roy Buchanan, they were better than many of the well known names in rock guitar.



Rory is much missed but what he left behind is timeless and in my opinion, flawless."