 RORY
GALLAGHER
Live at Montreux
Eagle Records 2006
www.rorygallagher.com
What’s the 4-1-1?
The 12-track album pays tribute to the renowned blues rock guitarist
by highlighting his performances at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival.
The songs are culled from his sets ranging from 1975 – 1985.
Genre
Rock / blues / classic rock
The Good
The minute the CD starts, you learn that you are in for a real treat. Smoking
hot guitar riffs, a whisky soaked rough edge vocal delivery, and a tight
musical bond between the band members are the hallmarks of this album.
You’ve got the boogie blues, some punk rock influences, and a true feel
for a ripping rock and roll song. There’s even a bit of country with the
song “Last Of The Independents.” This song is actually one of the
best sounding tracks on the disc.
The vocals get rushed all together once in a while, but rather than be something
that detracts from the album, it actually becomes the glue to making the whole
thing work.
The first ten songs featured are sequenced together so it sounds like one seamless
live concert performance, even thought the songs in question cover 3 separate
years. There’s a slight fade out between track 10 and 11 but overall, I
like the idea of making the album sound like one show instead of a collection
of live cuts.
Other stand out tracks for me were “Laundromat”, “Out On The
Western Plain” (which has a great little guitar sound to it), and “Too
Much Alcohol.” That song has a great set of lyrics and their delivery is
perfect.
The Bad
There’s really nothing bad to say about this album.
The Verdict
Simply put, this tribute to the electrifying blues guitarist is all that
you could hope for from a live album. You’ve got some unbelievable
fret work, and a real synergy with the overall musical performance. This
is just a great example of how to pull off a great live rock and roll performance.
Did You Know?
Rory Gallagher started out in the Fontana Showband, which changed their name
to Impact. He later was a part of the band Taste.
He died in 1995 from complications arising after a liver transplant.
The 1972 Readers Poll in Melody Maker magazine named Gallagher the Top Guitarist,
beating out Eric Clapton.
Rating:   out
of 5
-- Jay Roberts
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