I just came across Rory Gallagher a few weeks ago, and man is he awesome! If you haven’t checked him out, you’re missing out on one of the best blues rock guitar players ever!
I had not ever paid much attention to him, but when I watched a few of his YouTube videos, I realized where SRV got some of his licks from. Rory just has killer licks, tone, and stage presence. He really is that good. His legendary 61 Strat looks cooler than anything. I wonder if SRV though the same thing too?
His style is Roadhouse, in your face Blues like no other. I really liked his rendition of “Bullfrog Blues”. He simply has amazing chops, feel, and the willingness to try anything on stage. It would of been awesome to see him live. From what I’ve seen on YouTube, the guy put on a faboulous show.
Check out this video of Rory playing a blues. It is really cool!
What do you think of Rory Gallagher? Let me know right below.
For more information on slide and blues guitar please visit Learning Guitar Now.
I had the great opportunity to see Rory at a small club (ski lodge) in Dillsburg, PA 3 times. It was just a three pc. band, and I have to tell you his show was amazing in its energy level. Not just Rory, but the drummer and bass player also. He also did numbers playing the acoustic guitar and mandolin. Great slide player also. Keep watching him. There are DVDs available also. Never too late to appreciate a great guitarist.
I imagine that you are thinking in doing something about Rory. To me he is one like Johnny Winter. A white man with the soul of a black man, in terms of blues. They are naturals, specially gifted. Rory is in the gallery of the greatest. Of course, I would like more his side of “slide”.
Well actually he *was* a great guitarist, ’cause he’s dead like SRV. His liver didn’t like that much Guiness, he died following a liver transplantation in 1995. So there are only that much DVDs and CDs of him and there aren’t going to be more. Nevertheless he left lot of great music.
That was great. Haven’t heard him in quite awhile and forgot how good he really was. Amazing. Thanks for sharing that.
Glad you discovered Rory.
I’ve been a fan of his from his first release.
Hope you get into breaking down a bunch of his stuff once you get well into it.
I was just about to suggest his work in response to your request for suggestions.
I thought the same thing when I heard Stevie, but never heard him mention Rory. Seems like he absolutely must have heard him, they sound so much alike in many ways.
As far as his personal side and his health, you might want to read some of what I believe to be sincere first hand insights…
http://www.roryon.com/rorytimes.html
I am really glad you are shining a light on Rory Gallagher. I remember seeing him on “In Concert,” an old show on TV in the early 1970’s. He was brilliant. His energy and passion jumped off the screen! Thank you for bringing some well deserved attention to this late, great guitar maestro.
Been a huge Rory fan since the sixties and his then band Taste. If anyone wants to hear the best of Rory then “The irish Tour ” cd is his best live work. There is also a DVD semi documentary in black and white featuring gigs from the Irish Tour. He is the best example of tone through simplicity – i.e Guitar , Amp , Fingers !
Always like watching Rory, and yes he does put on a great show .. he makes it look so easy doesn’t he? Thanks for the video clip :-)
Simply the best blues/rock guitarist ever. It’s good that people are getting into Rory again. Eagle Rock has put out some DVD’s of his work. Check out the Rockpalast and Montreux collections. I always see comments on youtube like, “I’ve forgotten how good he was,” I guess that’s caused by his refusal to promote singles, so no radio play.
I will have to check out his cd’s. I am alway looking for something new to listen.
If you are interested, there is a four peice band from Kansas called Levee Town.
I got to see them a couple of times at a Blues Festival in Wildwood, NJ. Really good band. All four have good chemistry onstage. Their guitar player is a nice player to watch (Brandon Hudspeth).
Their website is Leveetown.com. They have a couple of cd’s out and there is a couple of free mp3’s to listen to on their music page. Nice site also. I wish this band would get more exposure rather than just their local scene and/or the midwest. I don’t think they have a major record deal. They rarely play on the east coast. But I just found out they will be playing The Barbecue/Blues Festival in Wildwood, NJ next summer in 2010.
If you check them out, tell me what you think.
Thank you
I had to revive this post. His playing id just killer! Any comments?
I was there for an early show at The Lodge ( we came out and it was almost sunset ) in 73 -74. Floor seating.. Best 3 piece band I had seen to that date. I recollect he played ‘Crest of a Wave’ off Deuce, and it was great.