"It's hard to understate just how much Rory Gallagher's honest rendering of blues-infused rock are missed. Unlike many of his contemporaries, such as Eric Clapton, who softened their stance or others who embraced showboating over substance, Rory was always a denim and flannel poster child who drained every ounce of emotion from his guitar.His final studio session, "Fresh Evidence," again shows Rory to be on a mission to put his stamp on every style of blues. He succeeds better than one might imagine, in part to his skills, in part to his understanding of the music he loved, and in part to have a crack band surrounding him. It's hard to pick favorites among such diverse tracks as Kid Gloves, Heaven's Gate, The Loop, and Slumming Angel, but I might have to go with the ironically titled Ghost Blues because Rory, his long-time bassist Gerry McAvoy, and drummer Brendan O'Neil create a wall of sound so tight it might repel water.A few stumbles, notably The King of Zydeco, do not detract greatly from another excellent effort, and despite 20 plus years of mining the blues, Rory still found a way to keep things fresh and lively."
Seriously good blues!
Proggy McGee | Newark Ohio | 08/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Is this Rory's best album? No. Is it a very high quality blues album? Oh, heck yes! In fact, Slumming Angel ranks as one of the best songs in his catalog. I dare say that you won't be disappointed in this album. Give it a try."
Another Great Album
Bill | Washington - State | 03/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Somehow I missed out on Rory Gallagher's music until recently. After picking up his fantastic signature "Irish Tour" album, I began collecting more and more of his stuff. It's all good and this one is great too - six albums later and I've yet to be anything less than amazed by this great talent. In my opinion he is as good as anyone on guitar. All things Rory are good. If you are a fan and don't have "Fresh Evidence" yet - then get it!"
A Smashing Success
Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 08/31/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is so much good music around its hard to hear it all, but I try to. I came rather late on Rory Gallagher's bandwagon as I was more into jazz while he was in his heyday. I'd heard him around, but it wasn't until I heard Fresh Evidence back when it was first issued that I started to pay any serious attention to him.
I don't know very well his earlier albums that many proclaim as being superior to this, but if that is so they must be great indeed! There is so much to like here its hard to pick a place to start. So I'll do it from the beginning. Gallagher charges hard right from that point with a searing Kid Gloves. That is followed by The King of Zydeco, a stupendous accordion tinged tribute to Clifton Chenier deeply evocative of the music of South Louisiana. Other favorites include Middle Name, the rousing Heaven's Gate, and another nod to Cajun blues on the bonus track Never Asked You For Nothin'. That doesn't mean I don't like the others! There is no filler, Fresh Evidence is a smashing success.
The reissue comes with an insert that contains album info including a short piece on how it came to be, a couple of pictures, and the track-listing with a laudatory sentence or two summarizing the spirit of each track. Whether you are well-versed in Gallagher's oeuvre or a just a casual fan, Fresh Evidence is a recording that merits a place in your collection. Pick it up while it is still available."