Released in time to celebrate what would have been the fiftieth anniversary of the still-sorely-missed Rory Gallagher, Blues is an exhaustive celebration, even by previous compilation standards. Old hands and newcomers alike should skip the single CD version which, as generously apportioned as it is with rare cuts, only skims the surface; and head for the three-CD deluxe edition instead, which contains over 90% unreleased material. Boasting thirty-six tracks, spread over three, themed CDs (Electric, acoustic and live) Blues is a frequently enthralling collection that provides a timely reminder of Rory’s remarkable depth of feeling.
The package
The three CD comes well-packaged, featuring a comprehensive essay in the liner notes written by the award-winning writer Jas Obrecht. Such attention to detail, at a time when so many companies are moving towards digital distribution, is a testament to the careful curation of Rory’s legacy and it gives the set a definitive air that will please long-term fans. Jas’ essay is detailed enough to give necessary background without devolving into the sort of forensic detail that is the exclusive province of the uber-fan. Historical information, tastefully augmented with short quotes, gives context to the tracks contained within the package, charting Rory’s evolution as a musician and Jas leaves us, not with the sad tale of Rory’s tragic passing, but with a quote from a decade previous that reminds us that the purpose of this package is primarily to celebrate an extraordinary career.
Electric
Opening the set is the electric CD, which comprises twelve tracks, eight of which are previously unreleased. Opening the set are three album session offcuts from Jinx, Against the Grain and blueprint respectively. The first track don’t start me talking, is a blistering blues-rock workout that captures Rory in electrifying form. Based around a simple blues progression, it says much of Rory’s skill that he could take the familiar and imbue it with such power that you can’t help but feel the pulse quicken. Nothin’ but the devil is a perfect example of Rory consigning a great to the dustbin simply because it wasn’t as great as the music that actually made the final cut. Most bands would kill for studio sweepings such as this and the track oozes quality. Finally, we get torn down, another up-tempo number with some gritty soloing that crackles with energy. Leaping around the chronology, the track-listing is sequenced as an album, the compilers making sure that the album ebbs and flows rather than simply depositing the songs in linear order. It’s a good decision and it adds to the feeling that real thought went into this set.
Next up, we get a couple of radio session tracks, the first of which, off the handle from a 1986 Paul Jones Show, shows that Rory could pull off hard blues with the same power that propelled artists such as AC/DC to the top. Similarly, I could’ve had religion, from a 1972 session at WNCR Cleveland, sees Rory in stunning form. Another outtake follows, as the crow flies (from Tattoo) which gives way to a BBC session version of A million miles away (from 1973). This is all pretty much essential material that has been deservedly rescued and which, whilst perhaps not revelatory, does much to enhance an already-burnished reputation. Finally, Should’ve learnt my lesson (an offcut from Deuce) is followed by a handful of rarities. The first sees Rory tackling leaving town blues (from Rattlesnake Guitar, a Peter Green tribute album) in a restrained and reverential fashion, before joining Lonnie Donnigan for drop down baby and Muddy Waters for I’m ready, both of which show that Rory was as adept at playing the sideman as he was at leading the charge. The electric disc is rounded out with a final session track, bullfrog blues, from the WNCR ’72 session.
To be quite honest, the electric disc is worth the price of admission alone and the material here, predominantly unreleased, is uniformly first rate.
Acoustic
As with the electric album, the acoustic set features eight unreleased tracks, alongside four relatively rare outtakes. It opens with the glorious, liquid slide of who’s that coming and the simple, Clapton-esque should’ve learnt my lesson (outtakes from Tattoo and Deuce respectively). The unreleased Prison blues (from the blueprint sessions) adds some great piano to the mix, and is a CD highlight, but it’s the fast-paced secret agent (from Irish TV), with its awesome slide work, that shows you don’t need amplification to rock. Similarly, blow wind blow (from the ’72 Cleveland session) is another piece upon which the archivists have come up trumps. Of note is the Dylan-esque whole lotta people (an outtake from Deuce), whilst fans will lap up the unreleased Loanshark blues (from German TV), which has a surprisingly tough edge for a solo performance. In contrast, the folky lilt of pistol slapper blues (from a ’76 Irish TV session) highlights both Rory’s nimble guitar work and a delightful sense of whimsy. The slide returns for Can’t be satisfied, from 1992, that takes its cues from Delta classic rollin’ and tumblin’. Want Ad blues (from a Radio Two session in 1988) sounds like it was tracked on a resonator, Rory keeping the rhythm taut and choppy in between bouts of glorious slide, before the disc concludes with Walkin’ blues
It says much of Rory’s ability to captivate that the acoustic disc, played predominantly solo, doesn’t feel in any way stripped-back or bare. Rory has a rare ability to fill the void where other musicians would traditionally be, his restless fingers roaming the fretboard in search of the next fire-cracker solo and the forty-five-minute disc passes by in the blink of an eye.
Live
The final CD features eleven live recordings, all previously unreleased and tracked between 1976-1991, as well as an interview of Rory talking about the blues. It rounds out the collection nicely, the interview proving an especially nice touch and, even with the wealth of live material available already, the tracks prove incendiary. Check out the fiery opening track, when my baby she left me, which has the sonic verve of Chuck Berry, nailed by a rhythm section of awesome precision. Better still, nothing but the devil is a six-minute exercise in stunning blues dynamic, moving from Rory playing solo to an explosive, full-band finale that is nothing short of devastating. How these tracks have lain unreleased for so long is quite the mystery, but it’s great that they are finally seeing the light of day. The Zeppelin-esque what in the world sees Rory taking Glasgow by storm in 1982 and the tough, harmonica-laden I wonder who add to the feeling that this may be the best Rory Gallagher show never recorded, the bite in his vocals and the grit in his guitar work nothing short of mesmerising. If you ever wanted further evidence as to Rory’s undoubted majesty in the live arena, this fantasy set is it, catching the listener unawares with blistering cut after blistering cut, each one sonically flawless and musically stunning.
As an additional bonus, the final three tracks offer up some guest slots. The first of which, the legendary born under a bad sign is caught at a fiery Rockpalast performance in 1991 with none other than Jack Bruce in tow. Next up we get a Rory guest spot on you upset me from the Albert King album Live tracked in 1975. Rory comes out all guns blazing and can almost feel the audience holding its breath. Finally, we get comin’ Home Baby, taken from a 1989 concert with the Chris Barber Band. It leaves only a short, low-key interview to round the set out. No sensationalism, no hyperbole, it’s a simple, down-to-earth piece reminding the audience that Rory played for the sheer love of playing, and it caps the set perfectly.
Overall
A brilliant three-CD set, full of unreleased gems, blues is an essential purchase for Rory fans. The three CDs are well-sequenced and there’s remarkably little repetition, each set offering a fresh take on Rory’s remarkable talents. With impressive packaging, a great essay in the liner notes and pristine sound, this is a perfect example of what can be achieved when labels work closely with an artist (or their estate) and is a brilliant celebration of an artist whose star blazed for all-too-short a time. 9.5
3 CD Deluxe Edition
CD 1 – Electric Blues
1. Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (Unreleased track from the Jinx album sessions 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from the Against The Grain album sessions 1975)
3. Tore Down (Unreleased track from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Off The Handle (Unreleased session Paul Jones Show BBC Radio 1986)
5. I Could’ve Had Religion (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)
6. As the Crow Flies (Unreleased track from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
7. A Million Miles Away (Unreleased BBC Radio 1 Session 1973)
8. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
9. Leaving Town Blues (Tribute track from Peter Green ‘Rattlesnake Guitar’ 1994)
10. Drop Down Baby (Rory guest guitar on Lonnie Donegan’s “Puttin’ On The Style” album 1978
11. I’m Ready (Guest guitarist on Muddy Waters ‘London Sessions’ album 1971)
12. Bullfrog Blues (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)
CD 2 – Acoustic Blues
1. Who’s That Coming (Acoustic outtake from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
2. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
3. Prison Blues (Unreleased track from Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Secret Agent (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1976)
5. Blow Wind Blow (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)
6. Bankers Blues (Outtake from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
7. Whole Lot Of People (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
8. Loanshark Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from German TV 1987)
9. Pistol Slapper Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from Irish TV 1976)
10. Can’t Be Satisfied (Unreleased Radio FFN session from 1992)
11. Want Ad Blues (Unreleased RTE Radio Two Dave Fanning session 1988)
12. Walkin’ Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1987)
CD 3 – Live Blues
1. When My Baby She Left Me (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
3. What In The World (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
4. I Wonder Who (Unreleased live track from late 1980s)
5. Messin’ With The Kid (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
6. Tore Down (Unreleased track from Newcastle City Hall concert 1977)
7. Garbage Man Blues (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
8. All Around Man (Unreleased track from BBC OGWT Special 1976)
9. Born Under A Bad Sign (Unreleased track from Rockpalast 1991 w/ Jack Bruce)
10. You Upset Me (Unreleased guest performance from Albert King album ‘Live’ 1975)
11. Comin’ Home Baby (Unreleased track from 1989 concert with Chris Barber Band)
12. Rory Talking Blues (Interview track of Rory talking about the blues)
