Search - Rory Gallagher :: Live in Europe

Pick up Irish Tour '74 instead

B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 09/29/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're debating which Rory Gallagher live experience to purchase, I HIGHLY recommend going with Irish Tour '74 over Live in Europe.



The problem with Live in Europe is that it doesn't really showcase Rory's amazing guitar soloing skills. Trust me, you really need to hear those guitar solos because I'm willing to bet they'd leave you completely speechless.



Unfortunately, Live in Europe is such a laidback, traditionally blues-dominated live performance that you rarely get to hear the rip-roaring side of Rory that I personally associate with his music. He even rips some really mean solos on his studio albums, so I'm not sure why he didn't bother laying down mean licks for a live recording.



Plus, Irish Tour '74 does a splendid job with the song selection- most of his better known songs appear on that album and are improved considerably thanks to, again, Rory's fantastic guitar solos.



However that's not to say there's something really wrong with Live in Europe- there's nothing wrong with it. On a rainy cool quiet night, the bluesy vibe of songs like "What in the World?" capture the atmosphere perfectly.



It's just that we're dealing with two VERY different live albums.



If you hear a lot of admiration for Rory Gallagher's talents and pick up Live in Europe as your first exposure to his music, don't be surprised if you're left feeling like he's overrated. He's NOT overrated- this would just be a bad first purchase.



This is still a good album though. You just have to be in the mood for a slower-paced side of Rory Gallagher's many talents."