28 January 2012
Andy Snipper
Sony Music in association with Capo Records and Legacy are proud to re-issue the first six original Rory Gallagher albums in chronological release date order – “Rory Gallagher” (1971), “Deuce” (1971), “Live In Europe!” (1972), “Blueprint” (1973), “Tattoo” (1973) and “Irish Tour ’74” (1974). These seminal re-issued albums celebrate 40 years since the start of Rory’s solo career.
Rory Gallagher was a musician like no other.
His music lives on through generations of today’s hottest guitarists including Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Brian May, Johnny Marr and The Edge; and also through his amazing catalogue including some of his finest works included in these milestone albums.
They were released during Rory's most prolific years (1971-74), when he recorded and produced 6 albums in a 3 year period. Each of the albums is now re-released in digipack form, with artwork restored from the original first release cover art. The audio has been re-mastered from the original ¼” inch tapes. Each album includes exclusive sleeve notes written by Donal Gallagher; Rory’s brother and former tour manager, legendary photographer Mick Rock, and British journalist Roy Hollingworth.
After releasing two critically acclaimed albums with his first band, Taste, and playing the Isle of Wight in 1970, Rory left the band to pursue a solo career. His eponymous debut solo album was released in 1971.
“Deuce” became Rory's third self-penned album in a row - having written all of Taste's second album “On The Boards” as well as the debut solo album “Rory Gallagher”. “Deuce” was recorded at Tangerine Studios in Dalston, East London, which had been built by the legendary British record producer Joe Meek.
“Live! In Europe” has served as a massive influence on budding musicians. U2’s Adam Clayton and The Edge both cite the album as the recording that made them want to pick up the guitar and play in a rock’n’roll band.
After six years working as a trio (guitar, bass, drums), Rory embellished his sound by adding keyboards into the band. The line-up of Rory Gallagher (vocals, guitars), Gerry McAvoy (bass), Lou Martin (keyboards) and Rod De'Ath (drums, percussion), remained together from 1973-78, and would record five albums, “Blueprint” was the first.
For his fifth solo album, rehearsals for “Tattoo” started in a rowing club in Cork City. The album was released in the same year (1973), nine months after the “Blueprint” album.
Considered by blues rock guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, to be one of the most influential live albums of all time, “Irish Tour '74” was recorded at Belfast Ulster Hall, Dublin Carlton Cinema and Cork City Hall, during a time when live music was a rare occurrence, due to the troubles that were then at their most violent peak.
www.rorygallagher.com
