Eagle Rock Entertainment
One of his best live albums, Irish Tour '74, and the film documenting that tour, have been reissued on CD, double vinyl LP, DVD and Blu-ray, marking the first installment in the remastered reissue of the entire Gallagher catalog during 2011.
Rory Gallagher, homeland hero
When you read about the late Rory Gallagher, it doesn't take long to be reminded that he was born and raised in Ireland. That is especially significant when you look at his Irish Tour '74 against the backdrop of what was happening there at the time.
Political unrest and associated violence ran so high during the '70s that it was considered crazy for an artist to even consider touring Ireland. But Gallagher was having none of that. This was his home. These were his people. He wasn't about to abandon them.
That's one of the reasons Gallagher had such a connection with audiences at his live gigs. Another was his unbridled passion for the music, pure and unfiltered, no edits, no processing, no studio enhancement.
When it was first released, Irish Tour '74 was considered to be Gallagher's best live album. Over time, it would come to be considered one of the best live albums by any artist in any genre.
The remastered reissue (4/12/11, Eagle Rock Entertainment) includes director Tony Palmer's concert film on DVD and Blu-ray, and the original album on CD and double LP vinyl. The DVD/Blu-ray also includes footage of Gallagher's 1974 tour of Japan and a 1972 Irish TV documentary.
Delivering the goods
Since the original vinyl LP and feature film release in 1974, CD versions were released in 1991, 1994 and (in its first remastered form) 1999. It was released on DVD in 2001 and a digital version (MP3) came in 2010. This marks the first reissue of the vinyl LP since the original, and the first ever release on Blu-ray.
What's new is the major improvement in both audio and video thanks to the complete remastering. Of course, any remaster is limited by the quality of the original recording, but Eagle Rock has maximized the improvements that current technology can offer.
The thing that hasn't changed is the quality of Gallagher's performance. His blues rock guitar artistry and soulful vocal delivery are flawless.
Including recordings with his band, Taste (1969-72), as a solo artist (1971 until his death following an unsuccessful liver transplant in 1995) and releases after his death, the Rory Gallagher catalog contains 22 original studio and live albums. If you could have only one in your collection, Irish Tour '74 (the 2011 version) should be it.
Track Lists
CD, vinyl LP
1. "Cradle Rock"
2. "I Wonder Who"
3. "Tatoo'd Lady"
4. "Too Much Alcohol"
5. "As the Crow Flies"
6. "A Million Miles Away"
7. "Walk on Hot Coals"
8. "Who's That Coming?"
9. "Back on my Stompin' Ground (After Hours)"
10. "Maritime"
DVD, Blu-ray
1. "Walk on Hot Coals"
2. "Tatoo'd Lady"
3. "Who's That Coming?"
4. "A Million Miles Away"
5. "Going to My Home Town"
6. "Cradle Rock"
7. "As the Crow Flies"
8. "Hands Off"
9. "Bullfrog Blues"
Extras:
"Rory Gallagher: Music Maker" (shot during his 1972 Irish tour)
"In Your Town" (1974 Japanese tour home video)
Audio Commentary by Donal Gallagher and Gerry McAvoy
Release date: 4/12/11
Review date: 4/27/11
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