Rory Gallagher - Rory Gallagher (1971 ireland, 1st solo album, classic blues rock, japan mini lp remaster)

In 1971 Taste were on the brink of international success. They had built up a loyal fon base (which included John Lennon), played the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight Rock Festival and recorded two blistering albums, 

but to the surprise of both their fans and their contemporaries the band split due to musical and managerial differences Rory, keen to utilise this new found musical freedom, returned to London's Advision studios with engineer Eddy Offord whom Rory had worked with during the recording of the Taste album On The Boards. The resultant sessions became Rory's first solo album, the eponymously titled Rory Gallagher.

The album opens with a trademark Gallagher riff leading into 'Laundromat', a track written at the time of the Taste split when the group were residing in a bedsit in Earls Court which had a public laundromat in the basement. In typical Rory style he used this uninspiring subject matter to create a highly inspirational song. 'Just The Smile' shows Rory's folk roots with an acoustic and percussion sound influenced heavily by Pentangle, the late 60's early 70's British folk band that included Burt Jansch and John Renbourn. 'I Fall Apart1 is an engaging love song with a big melodic Stratoeaster guitar riff and a wonderful chord sequence. 

'Wave Myself Goodbye' is the first of two tracks featuring keyboard genius with Crane, who made his name playing with Atomic Rooster and Arthur Brown during the 7()'s and Dexys .Midnight Runners in the 80's. After Taste split I became tour manager for Atomic Rooster and when Rory needed a pianist Vince was my first choice. For this track he delivers a barrel-house piano feel to compliment Rory's acoustic blues guitar. 'Hands t:p' is a highly motivational song written post Taste. The track's positive lyrical message is delivered with lines such as 'hands up and reach for the .vAV and 'gel np you know if a lime' which act to counter the negativity Rory felt when the group disbanded. "Sinner Boy".

This powerful lyric about hitting rock bottom exposes Rory's compassion and understanding for his fellow exiled man. Listen out for the Telecaster slide playing and 'scatting'. Even at the tender age of 23 Rory's natural technical ability was incredible. 'For The Last Time' is reminiscent of another great Rory track 'On The Boards' and carries a message about his treatment during the demise of Taste. 'It's You' is an upbeat country influenced track enlivened by Rory's steel-slide guitar playing, which is underscored with his excellence on the mandolin (an instrument he had only recently mastered). 

I'm Not Surprised' - This is (he second track featuring Vince Crane on piano performing a Tats Domino' style accompaniment to Rory's raucous guitar riffs. Even at this early stage of his career Rory was keen to experiment with the music he created. He was never satisfied to follow trends or take the easy path and 'Can't Believe It's True' demonstrates the infliieiicc that Jazz had on him. On this track Rory plays alto saxophone which has been double tracked, capturing a jazz/folk feel that came from his admiration of artists like Erie Dolphy and John Coltrane. 

Recorded during the original sessions for llory Gallagher the final two bonus tracks, both available here for the first lime, see Rory paying homage to two of his blues heroes: 'Gypsy Woman' was originally recorded by .Muddy Waters whom Rory greatly admired and would eventually work with on Muddy's London Session album.  The final track is a cover of It Takes Time' first recorded by premier Chicago blues guitarist Otis Rush.

by Donal Gallagher, London 1999.