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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