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- Cert:
- Cat.no.: 53025
- Pressing: 2005
- Region(s): 0, PAL
- Running time: 9 hours
- Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, Stereo
- Languages: English
- Subtitles: English, German
- Fullscreen: 4:3
- Disc Format: DVD 9(Limited Edition 3 DVD ‘Collectors Item’ Box Set – Guaranteedsingle pressing of only 25,555 units worldwide)
- Price: £49.99
- Rating: 10/10
- Extras:
Better be quick! This unique collector’s item’s going to fly out.
The Blues fired the soul of Rory Gallagher until the day he died on June 141995, from complications following a liver transplant.
Raised in Cork Ireland, he almost single-handedly spearheaded and influencedthe entire Irish Rock movement. Following the split from early band Impact,Gallagher cut his teeth on the European circuit in the mid-60s, particularlyHamburg. Then forming power trio Taste, he moved to London and made his namewith them over the next two years.
After their demise in 1971, Gallagher embarked on yet another solo career,but on a much higher profile.
Unlike so many of his contemporaries, he remained faithful to the genrethroughout his recording and performance career. Never quite reaching theheights of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton et al, Gallagher, from what I’ve seenand heard on this outstanding collection of live footage, actually had moretechnique at his disposal. For me, he was arguably the greatest whiteBluesman that ever lived. Now you can experience a whopping 84 tracks spreadover an equally whopping 9 hours, which simply can’t be bettered.
Great emphasis was placed on ‘authentics’ of the style, but the mostoverwhelming feature of the entire collection, from his acoustic sets, atCologne’s studio recoding at Rockpalast 6 October 1976 to the electric .washis mastery of technique.
Whether playing solo or with band he had every skill at his instant recallwhich thrilled both sets of studio and outdoor audiences.
DVD 1 at the Rockpalast from 1976 is low key in presentation with a smallbut intimate crowd. Thereafter, the collection builds up in pace and volumeas he creates an enviable masterclass.
Listening to him play his acoustic guitar almost defies belief: theinstrument was purely an extension of his soul. Songs by Leadbelly and BigBill Broonzy – Bankers’ Blues – are spellbinding as he lays into steelguitar with real venom. Add a bottleneck, and he’s mind-blowing, found onNothing But The Devil: he emanates both conviction and sincerity whichrightfully brought him critical acclaim from critics and fans alike.
Mandolin skills are equally impressive: check the punchy Goin’ To MyHometown as the line-up expands to a quartet which segue into a rocking ITake What I Want. Closing gig one, he’s almost in amongst the small studioaudience doing a rip roaring Boogie – the fans love it.
Grughalle 1977, the band hit the stage and go all out to impress with astunning Messin’ With The Kid. Later Muddy Waters’ A Garbage Man brings thebest of string-bending out of the maestro, as the fans chant his namecontinuously in the song breaks – real hero worship. Secret Agent is a sightto behold!
Disc 2, in the evening from Loreley, it’s more of the same as he opens withpulsating Wayward Child followed by a further scintillating 17 songs – allat high octane delivery as his battered Stratocaster takes a familiarpounding. Rounding off disc 2 there’s an almighty din of a jam sessionfeaturing Eric Burdon (I think).
Third disc features 2 more shows from Germany where he did a lot of workover 30 years. This time its Wiesbaden ’79 then Cologne ’90 and more thumpingrocking Blues from both gigs, highlight of the former is a slow pacedthriller Off The Handle as he shows his finger picking class.
Hair shorter and piling on the pounds, Cologne’s gig is still a sensation asthe exhibitionism runs riot and it’s still the same old Strat at work. Bestbit is the initial call and response (piano – guitar) on Muddy Waters’ MeanDisposition. More instruments, like blues harp (harmonica) and accordion,fill out the incredible sound. Ex- Cream bassist Jack Bruce throws hisweight behind three songs only to add to the musical thrills – the chemistryis palpable. An incredible finale!
This collection is the ultimate testament to one of the greatest men of rockmusic.
Turn it up and let it go.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.