The Irish guitar demon
has put on a little
weight, a little age, and he's showing a little wear and tear on the
voice these days- but he sure proved that he's still got it during his
March 9th gig at the Roxy. Playing a type
of music that brings to mind, at least for me, high school days in huge
auditoriums, watching four or five bands (all of whom you wanted to
see), as a cloud of marijuana smoke hovered in the air...well, you get
the idea.. .Gallagher and his band recreated the concept of an electric
blues power trio (think
Cream; the Jimi Hendrix Experience) as though they've been perfectly
preserved in a time warp for the last two decades. Rory's got all the
clichés and moves down pat; the darn thing is they don't look like clichés in his
hands, which is a testament to his remarkable talents.The Roxy was absolutely packed for this show. People tell me
there may
have been a few more on hand for the Clash during the early '80s,' but
I've never seen the club this full. (I'm surprised the fire marshal
didn't create some problems.) But the heat made it a perfect
environment for the fiery performances onstage, and I don't think I've
seen that many people playing air guitar in one place since God knows when. Those in attendance ran the gamut from at least
three of the Smithereens (including leader Pat DiNizio) to Duff and
Slash of Guns N' Roses. Slash, in fact, 
joined Gallagher onstage for
a final encore rendition of "Bullfrog Blues" and a terrific Chuck Berry
medley of "Nadine" and "Little Queenie." But although Slash is one of
my very favorite guitarists of the last five years, even he was
outclassed by the great Mr. Gallagher.
Also in attendance was Michelle Greene of L.A. Law fame,
who was obviously there to see opening band the Fishermen, since she
left during the early moments of Rory's set. Which just goes to show ya
that the Fishermen have lots of fans in this town. The band was
reportedly signed to an Elektra contract after something like three
gigs. So I liked the Edge- like guitar playing (he ain't no Rory
Gallagher, though), and I've heard good reports about this band from
several people I respect. Nonetheless, even though I only caught four
tunes, I'd have to say that their song about a "Birthday Present" was
one of the stupidest songs I've heard in quite some time- closer to, I
don't know, Daffy Duck, than it was to Van Morrison, the latter of whom
the group's front man has often been compared to. Someone who knows
tells me the bass player seemed to have no understanding
of basic rhythm. And, hey, guys, it isn't cool to
dis the performer you're opening for, OK?, especially when he
really is
a fine person. Overall, though, I'd say the Fishermen had great rock
'n' roll attitude. (And if you believe that, I have some property in
the Persian Gulf I'd like to interest you in...). Bill Holdship
************************************************************************************************************************************************
This article comes from
the March 22, 1991 issue of BAM, LA's Music Magazine
reformatted by roryfan
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