Celebrating the 40th anniversary of release of Rory Gallagher’s Irish Tour ’74, Eagle Rock and Sony are behind a double-CD Special Edition and seven-CD/single-DVD boxset. It may seem like sensory overload, maybe too much for a new fan to tackle, but the true, dedicated faithful will be happily euphoric. The original Irish Tour ’74 was a two-record set with three sides dedicated to the soundtrack of the Irish Tour ’74 film by Tony Palmer the tour , and a fourth side that featured jam sessions. The Special Edition features the full Cork show, while the boxset has six CDs of live material recorded in Cork, Dublin, and Belfast, a seventh disc of jam sessions, and a DVD with the film.
With a heavy toll of violence erupting in Ireland, artists were avoiding performing there. Without getting too political, Ireland was host to a violent scene, between Northern and Southern regions. Because of the political (and uninviting) landscape in Ireland, artists were repelled from playing dates booked there. But Gallagher was determined to play in his homeland, believing that music can, as corny as it may sound, bring people together. So, with his backing band, he proudly led his own personal troop of three through Ireland, and made everyone forget the chaos going on outside his concerts. His heroic intentions truly paid off.
While Gallagher’s playing is obviously heavily influenced by greats such as Albert King and John Lee Hooker, he took those influences and found a way of imprinting his own stamp upon his music. And as all great music tends to do, Gallagher’s songwriting and playing itself went on to further inspire other guitarists, such as Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, and, of course, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Although he would not have been out of place on an Irish street corner, a busker’s hat at his feet, poring out his heart and soul, Gallagher is pulled up to an even higher plateau by his equally blues-based backing band: Gerry McAvoy on bass guitar, Lou Martin on keyboards, and the late Rod De’Ath on drums.
I am generally not a fan of live albums, at least not those that have been put through the production ringer and cleaned up to the point that they are merely studio tracks with an overdub of over-enthusiastic audience cheers. Irish Tour ‘74 leans heavily towards the opposite end of the spectrum. Produced by Rory Gallagher himself, who obviously did not want his art being tinkered with, the result is an array of live material that has a slight bootleg quality to it, without becoming a muddled mess. It gives you that you-are-there feel, and if you are like myself, you will definitely wish that you were. Gallagher was not a fan of studio work and believed playing live is where one can truly shine with no limitations. He proves that here.
Breaking every track down is difficult. Every time I think I have found a favorite track, the following composition just seems to equal it — both in composition and musicianship. In a way, every track rivals each other in a rare display of musical superiority. Filler? That term is appreciably absent here. Gallagher is like a preacher, musically sermonizing to the masses, every note holding his audience hostage. While many guitarists feel compelled to display how fast their fingers can play, Gallagher rarely, if ever, lets a note go to waste. His music just pulls you in, holds you hostage, and never loosens its emotional grip until that final note rings out.
Because we get three concerts in the box set, many tracks are repeated, (e.g., “Messin’ With The Kid,” “Cradle Rock,” “Hands Off,” “Too Much Alcohol,” etc.). The difference between the replicated versions is quite diverse. The basic song structure remains, but the end results take on different paths. The different musical executions that Gallagher and Co. give are, in themselves, studies in musicianship as the tracks take on their own identities.
Irish Tour ’74 leads me to ponder one thing: Just why isn’t Gallagher more of a household name? Look up any “Top Guitarists” list and his name is often absent. When I find guitarists like Ted Nugent present, but not Gallagher, I simply have to scratch my head in confusion. He sold tons of albums, filled large arenas, yet he is so often missing. I will admit it’s nice to have a band or performer such as Gallagher all to your own, without them being watered down and overtly commercial. Perhaps that’s my answer right there: He believed in what he wrote, how he played, and what he wanted to accomplish. A calculated risk to earn a Number One on the Billboard charts probably was not exactly on his agenda and for that alone, he should be admired. Thankfully so, too, because that would have went against the grain of how he lived and breathed.
As suggested in my first paragraph, potential new fans will not be exposed to this influential blues master unless they have a musical mentor to guide them in that direction and expose them to Gallagher’s amazing body of work. The Special Edition or box set e isn’t likely to be plucked up by someone unwilling to take a gamble on any music they are not familiar with. That’s too bad because this would be a risk that would definitely pay off in droves. In the meantime, however, Gallagher fans may find themselves locking themselves up and not leaving the house for quite some time, thanks to Irish Tour ’74.
~ Bruce Forrest
