Not all great guitarists are/were named Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. While those are just a few names that easily pop into the mind when thinking of great, innovative guitarists, they are by no means the only ones. In fact, there are many that have so little coverage that when mentioned in casual conversation, it’s usually countered with a blank stare along with a “who?”.
Of course, all of those guitarists that are usually not known as well as the obvious ones have a serious cult following, perhaps even more intensely revered. One of those names belong to Rory Gallagher. And while Rory Gallagher is no longer with us (he died at 47 due to liver issues), his guitar playing, his studio albums, and his incendiary performances have long stayed with us.
Amid the many studio gems Rory has released via the several labels he was signed to (Polydor, Chrysalis, etc), there is his 1974 live album called Irish Tour ’74. That set, with its original nine tracks over two LPs, featured the fiery guitarist in his natural habitat, the concert stage. The event was his run-through tour of Ireland.
On October 20, that album will be receiving some serious love by not only Legacy Recordings, but also Eagle Rock Entertainment with expansive content, and reissue.
Legacy Recordings will be observing the album’s 40th Anniversary with the massive, MASSIVE, release of Irish Tour ’74 as a Special Deluxe Edition containing seven CDs , and one DVD (NTSC – Region-free) of the show, inside a 10″ boxset covering three nights of this stop. Not only will the audio be remastered, but there will be 43 previously unreleased tracks (see track list below), along with a booklet filed with photos, new liner notes, memorabilia, and other cool things regarding the shows, the recordings, and the man!
Irish Tour ’74 Track-list:
Disc 1 & 2
Cork (5th of January 1974)
• Messin’ With The Kid*
• Cradle Rock
• I Wonder Who
• Tattoo’d Lady
• Walk On Hot Coals
• Laundromat*
• A Million Miles Away
• Hands Off*
• Too Much Alcohol
• As The Crow Flies
• Pistol Slapper Blues*
• Unmilitary Two-Step*
• Bankers Blues*
• Going To My Hometown*
• Who’s That Coming
• In Your Town*
Disc 3 & 4
Dublin (2nd of January 1974)
• Cradle Rock*
• Tattoo’d Lady*
• Hands Off*
• Walk On Hot Coals*
• Laundromat*
• Too Much Alcohol*
• A Million Miles Away*
• As The Crow Flies*
• Pistol Slapper Blues*
• Bankers Blues*
• Unmilitary Two-Step*
• Going To My Hometown*
• In Your Town*
• Bullfrog Blues*
Disc 5 & 6
Belfast (29th of December 1973)
• Messin’ With The Kid*
• Cradle Rock*
• I Wonder Who*
• Tattoo’d Lady*
• Walk On Hot Coals*
• Hands Off*
• A Million Miles Away*
• Laundromat*
• As The Crow Flies*
• Pistol Slapper Blues*
• Unmilitary Two-Step*
• Bankers Blues*
• Going To My Hometown*
• Who’s That Coming*
• In Your Town*
• Bullfrog Blues*
Disc 7
City Hall in Session (3rd of January 1974)
• Maritime (The Edgar Lustgarden Cut)
• I Want You / Raunchy Medley*
• Treat Her Right
• I Wonder Who*
• Too Much Alcohol*
• Just A Little Bit
• I Can’t Be Satisfied*
• Acoustic Medley*
• Back On My Stompin’ Ground (After Hours)
• Stompin’ Ground (Alt version)
Disc 8 (DVD)
The Tony Palmer directed documentary Irish Tour ’74
(courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment)
* Previously unreleased
However, the above mentioned Legacy Box isn’t the only set being released. On October 21, Eagle Rock Entertainment plans a Special Edition 2CD reissue of Irish Tour, as well as a seven disc digital download of Irish Tour 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.
After all is said and done, Irish Tour ’74 will be as definitive a live set from one of the world’s most underrated guitar players, Rory Gallagher.
You’re welcome, Gallagher fans, and those that should be.
Not all great guitarists are/were named Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. While those are just a few names that easily pop into the mind when thinking of great, innovative guitarists, they are by no means the only ones. In fact, there are many that have so little coverage that when mentioned in casual conversation, it’s usually countered with a blank stare along with a “who?”.