Rory Gallagher compilation “Blues” to be released in May
In what would have been the 50th year of Rory Gallagher’s recording career, UMC are pleased to announce the release of ‘BLUES’ on Friday 31st May. From the vaults of the Gallagher estate’s tape archive comes this collection of rare and unreleased recordings of Rory playing his favourite blues material. Ranging from never heard before tracks to special guest sessions with legendary blues artists (Muddy Waters / Albert King) and lost radio sessions, this album uncovers Rory’s love of the blues throughout his solo career from 1971 right through to 1994.
Formats include a 15 track 1CD / 2LP version, limited edition blue vinyl 2LP and a deluxe 36 track 3CD version showcasing Rory’s virtuoso performances of electric, acoustic and live blues. The Deluxe comprises 90% unreleased material and features performances with musical legends such as Muddy Waters, Albert King, Jack Bruce, Lonnie Donegan and Chris Barber. The Deluxe Edition also comes with an extensive booklet comprising previously unseen pictures if Rory plus a new essay by award winning Blues / Rock writer Jas Obrecht.
If ever there was a “musician’s musician” then that accolade surely belongs to Rory Gallagher. Renowned for his blistering live performances and highly respected for his dedication to his craft, he died in 1995, aged just 47, yet his reputation has continued to flourish in the years since. Indeed, some of rock’s most seminal figures, from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton, Queen’s Brian May to The Smiths’ Johnny Marr, have cited him as an influence. Clapton credited Rory with “getting me back into the blues”, while May has unequivocally stated: “I owe Rory Gallagher my sound.”
From his first album with Taste through his final solo record, Rory Gallagher remained true to his own musical vision. Like the American bluesmen he admired, he created an instantly identifiable sound. His raw, unfettered vocals perfectly suited the blues-worthy themes he sang of, and his guitar style was a force unto itself. Like B.B. King and Buddy Guy, he excelled at playing storytelling solos on electric guitar. Like Muddy Waters, he was a skilled slider. And like Blind Boy Fuller, Lead Belly, and Big Bill Broonzy, he displayed amazing dexterity on the acoustic guitar. But unlike many of his peers in the U.K., especially during the 1960s and 1970s, Gallagher did not specialize in note-perfect copies of other people’s songs. As he explained to an interviewer in 1978, “I never started out to be a strict recreator of the blues or even a modern young bluesman. I wanted to be me.”
Track Listings
3 CD Deluxe Edition
CD 1 – Electric Blues
1. Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (Unreleased track from the Jinx album sessions 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from the Against The Grain album sessions 1975)
3. Tore Down (Unreleased track from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Off The Handle (Unreleased session Paul Jones Show BBC Radio 1986)
5. I Could’ve Had Religion (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)
6. As the Crow Flies (Unreleased track from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
7. A Million Miles Away (Unreleased BBC Radio 1 Session 1973)
8. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
9. Leaving Town Blues (Tribute track from Peter Green ‘Rattlesnake Guitar’ 1994)
10. Drop Down Baby (Rory guest guitar on Lonnie Donegan’s “Puttin’ On The Style” album 1978
11. I’m Ready (Guest guitarist on Muddy Waters ‘London Sessions’ album 1971)
12. Bullfrog Blues (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)
CD 2 – Acoustic Blues
1. Who’s That Coming (Acoustic outtake from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
2. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
3. Prison Blues (Unreleased track from Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Secret Agent (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1976)
5. Blow Wind Blow (Unreleased WNCR Cleveland radio session from 1972)
6. Bankers Blues (Outtake from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
7. Whole Lot Of People (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
8. Loanshark Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from German TV 1987)
9. Pistol Slapper Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from Irish TV 1976)
10. Can’t Be Satisfied (Unreleased Radio FFN session from 1992)
11. Want Ad Blues (Unreleased RTE Radio Two Dave Fanning session 1988)
12. Walkin’ Blues (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1987)
CD 3 – Live Blues
1. When My Baby She Left Me (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
3. What In The World (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
4. I Wonder Who (Unreleased live track from late 1980s)
5. Messin’ With The Kid (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
6. Tore Down (Unreleased track from Newcastle City Hall concert 1977)
7. Garbage Man Blues (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
8. All Around Man (Unreleased track from BBC OGWT Special 1976)
9. Born Under A Bad Sign (Unreleased track from Rockpalast 1991 w/ Jack Bruce)
10. You Upset Me (Unreleased guest performance from Albert King album ‘Live’ 1975)
11. Comin’ Home Baby (Unreleased track from 1989 concert with Chris Barber Band)
12. Rory Talking Blues (Interview track of Rory talking about the blues)
1 CD Version
1. Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (Unreleased track from the Jinx album sessions 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from the Against The Grain album sessions 1975)
3. Tore Down (Unreleased track from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Off The Handle (Unreleased session Paul Jones Show BBC Radio 1986)
5. A Million Miles Away (Unreleased BBC Radio 1 Session 1973)
6. Leaving Town Blues (Tribute track from Peter Green ‘Rattlesnake Guitar’ 1994)
7. As the Crow Flies (Unreleased track from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
8. Secret Agent (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1976)
9. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
10. Prison Blues (Unreleased track from Blueprint album sessions 1973)
11. Who’s That Coming (Acoustic outtake from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
12. I’m Ready (Guest guitarist on Muddy Waters ‘London Sessions’ album 1971)
13. What In The World (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
14. Garbage Man Blues (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
15. Born Under A Bad Sign (Unreleased track from Rockpalast 1991 w/ Jack Bruce)
2 LP / Limited Edition Blue Vinyl 2 LP Version
Side 1
1. Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (Unreleased track from the Jinx album sessions 1982)
2. Nothin’ But The Devil (Unreleased track from the Against The Grain album sessions 1975)
3. Tore Down (Unreleased track from the Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Off The Handle (Unreleased session Paul Jones Show BBC Radio 1986)
Side 2
1. A Million Miles Away (Unreleased BBC Radio 1 Session 1973)
2. Leaving Town Blues (Tribute track from Peter Green ‘Rattlesnake Guitar’ 1994)
3. I’m Ready (Guest guitarist on Muddy Waters ‘London Sessions’ album 1971)
4. As the Crow Flies (Unreleased track from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
Side 3
1. Who’s That Coming (Acoustic outtake from Tattoo album sessions 1973)
2. Should’ve Learnt My Lesson (Acoustic outtake from Deuce album sessions 1971)
3. Prison Blues (Unreleased track from Blueprint album sessions 1973)
4. Secret Agent (Unreleased acoustic version from RTE Irish TV 1976)
Side 4
1. What In The World (Unreleased track from Glasgow Apollo concert 1982)
2. Garbage Man Blues (Unreleased track from Sheffield City Hall concert 1977)
3. Born Under A Bad Sign (Unreleased track from Rockpalast 1991 w/ Jack Bruce)
