Gerry McAvoy – Rory Gallagher’s long-serving bass player – chats about the Irish Tour ’74, Rory in the studio, and the impact on his own musicality (9:34)

This is an outtake from a forthcoming hour special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio where Gerry selects ‘Favourite Tracks from Favourite Artists’ (Sunday 9 November, 17:00 GMT)

More information

Sony Music [Release date 20.10.14]

As this package makes clear, Rory Gallagher’s Irish Tour of 1974 was set against a background of violence and strife in Ireland.  Rory only ever wanted to play his music but, during this period, was one of the few performers to brave the troubles.  Consequently in late-1973 he set out to play a series of gigs in Southern and more particularly Northern Ireland.

‘Irish Tour ’74′ has always been regarded as  a classic live album release, edging the earlier ‘Live In Europe’.  Now, to celebrate the 40th anniversary Donal Gallagher and Sony have assembled the definitive statement.

The original release featured the best of two gigs at Cork City Hall on 3 and 5th of January 1974.  Now we get the preceding Dublin (complete) and  Belfast (highlights) gigs and the bonus ‘City Hall In Session’  which includes sound-check  and studio material.  Inevitably there is much song duplication but collectors will want to have this package for completism and no doubt some will pore over the relative merits of each gig, and 56 live tracks.

A 16-page booklet also captures the spirit of the enterprise with archive photos, memorabilia and Donal Gallagher’s introduction plus a new essay by Gavin Martin largely based on Tony Palmer’s recollections.  There’s also an interview reproduced from the US website ‘Shadowplays’ with engineer Robin Sylvester.

If there is a criticism there isn’t any clarification of the Disc 7 studio stuff, although five tracks are “previously unreleased”.  And – as far as the actual packaging goes – it’s a bit flaky with a stick-on track listing on the flimsy box almost an afterthought.  The sound quality, though, has been improved and Rory’s raw energy and power  is captured perfectly across the seven discs even if a little rough by modern standards.

Tony Palmer’s documentary is an excellent inclusion  – a great representation of the times and putting the gigs in context. (See archive review, below) It should be consumed first if you have not already seen it.  Not long after these recordings Gallagher would find wider solo success in the USA and, in that sense, the gigs and the film are an essential record of a troubled world he, to some extent, left behind.

He did however return to Ireland for gigs a year later and, throughout the remainder of the seventies, showed his loyalty by invariably returning to play his earlier and formative stomping grounds.  ****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

Archive reviews
Kickback City (2013)
Reissues 2 (2012)
Reissues 1 (2012)
Irish Tour ’74 DVD (2011)

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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