Search - Rory Gallagher :: Deuce

Deuce Sets the Stage for Rory's Great Career

loce_the_wizard | Lilburn, GA USA | 01/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Strange that it may sound, I kept my copy of "Deuce" unopened and slotted with my other Rory Gallagher CDs for a year before I could listen. I had last heard "Deuce" on vinyl quite some years ago, and the opening chords of I'm Not Awake ushered me back to my college days and debates with my friends about the merits of Mr. Gallagher's guitar mastery. The energy that flows from this music crackles, whether Mr. Gallagher is playing acoustic blues, coaxing magic from his slide, or wringing out just the right amount of feedback.



The dark, edginess of his first solo release have receded (though I love that CD for other reasons), and "Deuce" pretty much set the stage for how Mr. Gallagher's later catalog of recordings would be structured, intermixing blistering power riffs from tracks such as Crest of a Wave and In Your Town with plaintive blues songs such as Don't Know Where I'm Going and Should've learned my Lesson.



His stalwart sidekicks from the early days, Gerry McAvoy on bass and Wilgnar Campbell on drums, generate the rhythm that sets the course, keeping things down to earth and lively. (Mr. McAvoy played bass with Rory till the end.)



This remastered CD sounds clear and free from the technical problems that have marred some of the others. That clean sound, a fine bonus track called Persuasion, and expanded liner notes are enough to justify replacing older copies of this CD



It seems that many folks tend to disregard Rory Gallagher but anyone who takes the time to listen will appreciate how fine a talent we lost in June 1995."