Still
even simple, still even good:
Rory Gallagher
{Nog even gewoon, nog even goed}
Still
in his chequered shirt, his jeans and still without any form of
make-up, we find Rory Gallagher once again on a big American tour. He
still has as much success as he always had. It is a simple matter with
the guitar-virtuoso, he is good and he stays good. Every now and then,
he attracts our attention with a new album and that is the again the
case with ' Against the Grain '. And also like the previous albums,
this the best album so far.
The new album
Rory
Gallagher: "I also believe it is the best record so far. We have always
done our best with the live work, and on this album we accomplish
approximately the same in the studio area. People frequently said that
the live albums were good, but the studio records were clearly
weaker. That time is gone now, I believe. It has been two years
now since 'Tattoo' was released, and before starting this one, I took a
close listen to the previous albums. We are also two years wiser and
everything has become a little better. This time I use some brass on
the record. I would like that on stage as well, but you get limited in
your freedom there. Sometimes I like to change halfway through a song,
just another tempo in it and I give the members of the band a nod and
there it goes. But with a larger group, of course, it becomes harder to
just change. We recorded the last album in a 16-track studio, that
opens great possibilities of course. We did the previous records in
8-track studios.
AGAINST the WIRE That
is the translation of 'Against the Grain', a title that beats both on
the wood of the guitar and on music itself. The full meaning we must to
leave Rory. He has, however, changed title of this album at an advanced
stage, that never happened with his previous albums. But all right, we
were talking about the American tour and live performances that really
gives a kick to Rory. 'That's where my thoughts always are, at live
performances. It is the sense of living. It really gives me a
kick and that is, for me, most important thing in living. Still
someone observed recently, that we are on tour eight up to nine months
a year. I have looked forward to this American tour. In Europe,
we have done our duty and when we were busy in Europe, I missed
America. Now that we are here, I miss Europe a bit.
CONTACT WITH FANS 'Hey,
man, you must do something for me, my friend could not come and asks
that you just to sign this, please.' Rory smiles and once more puts
out his signature. He still finds it an honour. Another one wants
to have the Rory's plectrum. He gets it. A third asks advice concerning
guitar playing. He gets it and a vast amount too. Rory is
prepared to talk to his fans until they know or understand what they
want to. 'Oh, I think it's fantastic to talk with those people. I am
not that kind that flashes away in a limousine and let others tell them
that I'm private property and don't talk to people. Because you are a
entertainer doesn't give you the right to look down on other people. I
like, however, to see the rest of showbiz in special suits, spacesuits
and so. It only gives me the strength to stay the one I am. People, as
a matter of fact, wouldn't tolerate me in other clothes. They are used
to this and off stage I wear the same thing. It is no image. It has
simply come since the time of Muddy Waters. Perhaps that you get
influenced that way.' ORDINARY
GALLAGHER We
can talk this way for hours with Gallagher. He works with his friends,
Gerry McAvoy (bass), Lou Martin (keyboards), Rod de'Ath (drummer) and
brother Donald and has signed a contract at Chrysalis record.
Rory remains the same, therefore good! From
the December 18,1975 issue of PTP Popweekblad
Thanks to a Dutch Continental Op for translating this article!
reformatted by roryfan
