Martin on keyboards, and the remaining Gerry
McAvoy on bass. And it’s a nice one. There’s evidence here
that Mr. G is more willing to acknowledge the fact that Rory Gallagher
is at time a band – although he’s always going to be total ace cat in
that band. He spits into side one with “Walk On Hot Coals,” appropriately titled. It’s fast, and flitchy – a predictable, and nevertheless a totally enjoyable Gallagher rocker. Gallagher the balladeer on “Daughter of the Everglades” – without doubt the most “musical thing he’s ever done. Not slow, but nevertheless, a ballad. Pleasing lyrics too. Then, of course, dem blues, with “Banker’s Blues,” the Bill Broonzy classic. A tasty shuffle-boogie with Martin supplying some delicate dancing on the piano. Gallagher’s voice is just perfect for this run, and he blows in some mean harp too. “Hands Off,” a quick gnashing rocker – Gallagher putting echo around his voice to give the whole track a lovely late 50s edge. The band follows him like a gem here, considering that some of his guitar running is just astonishing with its complexity. “Race the Breeze,” is night-train, lengthy blues/country/rock. Then “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.” Whoops! An unusual trip into, but it lifts into a heavily riffed length. Gallagher at his best, fast, gutsy, and hell bent on winning. “Unmilitary Two-Step,” a bit of acoustic guitar fun – Leadbelly style.
Oh, what an enjoyable player he is. So, here’s another Big G album – it’s not going to change the course of the world, but it’ll give you a selection of everything he’s so rightly famous for. I’ll say it’s his most interesting yet. – R.H.
