Growing up without an older sibling’s record collection to rifle through, and having parents, though divorced when I was three, who didn’t have much interest in music and what they did was limited to easy listening and American standards meant I was on my own. Occasionally a friend would suggest a band, but most my learning came by way of the media, particularly radio stations, which I have just discovered has come up short in my education because how I am just learning about the brilliance of Rory Gallagher?
Crest of a Wave, a two-CD, best-of set compiled by his nephew Daniel focuses on Rory’s songwriting. It is my first introduction and long overdue. Rory traffics in the same American blues-based rock music that made stars out of a number of British young men who still get played consistently on classic-rock stations.
Opening with “Follow Me,” the first sound is his guitar. Then the rest of the band joins in, building up and then taking off like a rocket. The lyrics match as he sings of his desire to “break away before it's too late” make his future. “Shinkicker” continues the rebellious theme of leaving the small town for something bigger as he needs “to find a town that's got some action/ Got to find a place stays open late.”
“Loanshark Blues” shows Rory completely comprehends the blues as he begs for a few days to pay a debt. The sentiment is so authentic I was surprised it wasn’t a cover, a testament to his songwriting skills. His guitar playing shines out and the entire song brings to mind Eric Clapton.
“In Your Town” is a great bit of loud, rebellious rock ‘n’ roll about a guy back in town, looking for revenge from the Chief Police and the old D.A. after being in jail “twenty-two years, twenty-three days, twenty-four minutes.” Rory’s delivers some brilliant slide work.
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Article comments
1 - Tom
"Its surprising he hasn't recieved more notoriety" this is a common theme from people who are introduced to Rory's music. All too often I've mentioned his name in so called musical company and people say ...who? Maybe it was Rory's reluctance to release a single and his determination to play what he liked and not the more commercially acceptable R&B styles. In the programme from this years Rory blues festival in Ballyshannon (which I was fortunate to get to) Rory's brother Donal commented that his record company tried to rebrand him as heavy metal, obviousley seeing it as commercially more viable. Rory remained true to his style and through articles like yours hopefully more and more people will appreciate his genius, I applaud your review.
2 - Jayzee
I have followed Rory since Taste first appeared on the scene, and was fortunate to meet him in Berlin in 1974 (he was very popular in Germany). He was far more versatile than the blues-rock genre tag suggests - after all, this was a guy who changed a string on stage without stopping playing!