Search - Rory Gallagher :: Irish Tour

Smokin' Strings: Irish Edition

Mark N. Russell | Rochester, N.Y. | 08/20/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many non-jazz live recordings are slightly guilty pleasures: souvenirs of rowdy nights or sweaty seductions. No such fears exist for this recording; it is a picture of a guitarist and his working band firing on all cylinders. Rory Gallagher cut this with his group after some five plus years of constant touring. Then, too, he was one of only a handful of Irish musicians to play in Northern Ireland in this time of "The Troubles." There are not many crowd noises in this disc; one can guess the audience's love for Gallagher from his totally confident display of passion and prowess. Personal favorites on this disc are his blistering version of "Walk on Hot Coals" and his acoustic work on "As the Crow Flies." Actually, there is not a bad cut on the disc and the sound mastering is warm and full. Also, his band is accomplished in their support of him. The cover art shows Gallagher with the '61 Strat which he bought for a reported 100 Irish pounds as a teen. That was one purchase which produced a hundredfold return for Gallagher. The disc is very much recommended for anyone who loves electric blues."

The Glory of Rory!

Gator Carter | Newport OR | 09/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The definitive rock & roll statement if ever there was one, "Irish Tour" is Rory Gallagher at his peak, playing before his home town, one crowd pleaser after another. Smokin',powerful performances of some of his best solo tunes up to that time in 1974. You can hear the fire burning in him through his masterful guitar playing, the passionate fury in his vocals, hell- this is what rock & roll is all about! I dare anyone to listen to this without wanting to crank it up and wake the neighbors! Hell, you can't do it. Rory & his great band- Rod D'Ath on drums, Gerry McAvoy, long time bassist, & Lou Martin, keyboards, kick it out and blow the roof off! Sorry, I can't think of anything but old tired cliches to describe the performances here- but they really do apply. It's just impossible to select any favorite cut from this- "Cradle Rock" possibly (the definitive version), but then there's "Tatoo'd Lady" (brilliant), "I Wonder Who" (blues rocker), "Walkin On Hot Coals" (wow- check out how he plays lead & rhythm guitar simultaneously- true genius!), "Who's That Comin'" (more in your face guitar mastery). If you don't believe me, check out the other glowing reviews- these people aren't lying to ya. The last tune, "Back on My Stompin' Grounds" (blues slide guitar played to perfection)is from the rehearsal for the show, but it blows away the studio version completely IMO. Just get it already- and crank this sucker!"

5 STARS X 100

A Viewer | Elgin, IL | 11/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Where has this disc been all my life? I knew about Rory Gallagher of course, I even owned one of his studio LP's back in the 70's (Tattoo, I believe it was), but somehow this live LP escaped my attention. After reading the overwhemlingly positive reviews here, I ordered a copy.



I have to say his studio work doesn't do him justice. This disc is a revelation! After hearing it twice, I can unequivically say at the time this was released in 1974, Rory Gallagher was the best rock/blues guitarist working. Hendrix and Duane Allman were dead, Clapton was just coming out of a three-year heroin haze, and was doing far from his best work. Maybe Jeff Beck, another criminally underrated guitarist was as good, but he was getting into jazz fusion at the time.



Every track on this disc blazes with intensity. Rory's band is tight and polished, and his guitar work is endlessly creative. If I had to pick a favorite cut, it would be "A Million Miles Away", because that's where it takes me, but that's not to slight any other track here. I wish I'd seen him live back in those days, but he didn't play the States much, and wasn't well publicized when he did. Oh well, now I have to buy the Montreux DVD."