Rory Gallagher - Live at Rockpalast (3 DVDs)

In 1995 the UK lost one of its finest virtuoso guitarists and at the time I hadnt even heard of him yet! I was first introduced to Rory's playing while in a desultory mood watching late night old grey whistle test and playing my guitar the TV suddenly exploded with guitar! ...and i was hooked! Having accumulated a few albums (11!) I was hoping to treat myself to a visual concert experience and I was so excited when I saw this pop up when I was doing a search for Rory's live in cork video on amazon! and 222 minutes!! I already own the Irish Tour '74 soundtrack also available on DVD (As th Crow Flies and Million Miles Away are Rory at his absolute best) but I had read that the visuals where often focussed on his face with no close-ups on what his hands are doing during solos! No such problem with this Rockpalast DVD. A good variety of camera angles give a good impression of the atmostphere and the rapport between bandmates. Admittedly I had low expectations of mid seventies german public television quality and I was slightly concerned after reading a review of the Thin Lizzy rockpalast DVD that there might be some blips in the visuals but pleasantly enough I have noticed nothing significant in my viewing other than the red stage lighting causes a slight ripple effect in the lit areas and during the dramatic blackouts it is difficult to see what is going on! : ) It is worth mentioning at this point that the DVD actually contains 2 complete sets from 1976 and 1977 and then an encores of Bullfrog Blues and some cover songs joined by scottish singer songwriter Frankie Miller from a 1979 concert. Visual quality etc. varies a little between the sets; the beginning acoustic set is paricularly dark and poor in contrast and it appears rory struggles a little with a mic stand on the guitar, and Frankie Miller's micraphone crackles at the end. My favourite set is the middle one, and being limited for time on the arrival of this disk I put on the classic opening number Messin' with the Kid and was given my biggest shock moment for this whole disk, a german audio commentary proceeded to introduce the evening over the top of the performance! I tried altering my audio settings but to no avail! But this travesty only continued for a short while and the rest of the song was top notch rivalling the European tour version for quality and inginuity. There is also a similar glitch in the middle of Garbage Man as we are given the Rockpalast show titles and TV presenters introduction advising us how to pick up the stereo radio transmission- the previous songs were originally only given radio coverage but here have been re-incorporated with visuals. The only audio worry I had prior to watching this DVD is that from time to time Rory's vocals can be (to put it mildly) a little less inventive and subtle than his guitar playing -eg. nearly anything on stagestruck album. But be assured even on the first set where he had had come directly from Montreux festival where he 'jammed till dawn' Rory is in fine voice and throughout the disk there are good examples of his trademark vocal scattering. The piano is slightly lower and /or more intergrated into the mix than on the Irish Tour (where personally I found the keys grating!). This DVD has a good variety of acoustic and electric tracks however there is some crossover of songs between sets and I was dissapointed not to see some songs from the '79 set included, namely those from photo finish and top priority in case there was an improvement in sound from the other live album. The box has great action shots of Rory on the front and back, the menus are good looking and easy to use and include a track selection option. The cover notes are informative but appear to have been translated from german- I have no reason to 'beware' there are 3 additional songs. I think its quite a good thing. Also recommended: The BBC Sessions, European Tour, Wheels Within Wheels, Photo finish, and Deuce. 197601. Pistol Slapper Blues02. Too Much Alcohol03. Out On The Western Plain04. Bankers Blues05. Rag Mama Rag06. Nothing But The Devil07. Goin' To My Hometown08. I Take What I Want09. Calling Card10. Secret Agent11. Do You Read Me12. Bought And Sold13. Country Mile14. Jacknife Beat15. BoogieGrugahalle Essen197701. Messin' With The Kid02. I Take What I Want03. A Garbage Man04. Moonchild05. Secret Agent06. Calling Card07. Out On The Western Plain08. Barley And Grape Rag09. Tattoo'd Lady10. Souped Up Ford11. Bullfrog Blues12. Bought And SoldJam Session Wiesbaden (frankie miller?)197901. Bullfrog Blues02. Walkin' The Dog03. Sea Cruise04. Around And Around05. Roll Over BeethovenGesamtlänge: 222 min.

Ever since I saw Rory and an early Taste (with Norman Damery and Eric Kitteringham) at the Woburn Abbey Festival in 1968, when, in my opinion, he absolutely blew Jimi Hendrix off the stage, I followed his career avidly, as I did those of Eric Clapton, Peter Green, BB King, Otis Rush and 1,000 other bluesers. I saw him play 38 times and while I did not know him well or anything, he always remembered my name, shared many a pint in the Ship in Wardour Street next to the old Marquee, and we had a great evening and an excellent meal in Salisbury.Hardly ever did I think that Rory's recorded output came anywhere near his live work, except for, perhaps, Irish Tour '74, which was recorded on film by Tony Palmer. Some love this DVD, just because it is Rory, but the appalling editing, mismatches of music and film, shots of Rory's left ear and endless fillers remind me far too much of the Farewell Cream Concert at the Albert Hall (backed, of course, by Taste), by the same producer, which is an unspeakable disaster and a ghastly tribute to art school editing. The music, it seems in both cases, is an annoying external irritation.At last, at last, along comes this DVD which comes as close as one can get to illustrating just how good he was, and how good this particular band was too. He is such a technician, and yet so in love with the music and the playing that you just have to watch him, as you would a good magician, just to see what he will do next.The acoustic set which starts the DVD has Rory parading several of his favourite numbers and giving Blind Boy Fuller a mention, a timely reminder of what a champion he was of the black musicians, especially the country blues players. Pistol Slapper Blues, played on his beloved dobro, is absolutely great, fast, accurate and funny, and as good as the version on the brilliant "Live in Europe" album. He used 4 tunings regularly on stage, standard, open E, open D and open G, and see how many you can spot here! Paul McCartney always said that a test of any great musician is that he should be able to captivate a crowd with just an acoustic guitar or even a capella. Rory does just that - I dread to think how most recent bands would fare.On to the rockier stuff, after the mandolin extravaganza of Goin' to my Hometown, and the band is on fire, Rory's guitar squealing, riffing away, playing some really unusual chords and scat singing. But Special Mention must go the the band, especially Rod De'Ath - I cannot think of many drummers who could keep this frenzy up and yet be so techically exciting. I have said time and time again that he is the most under-rated drummer in the whole history of rock apart from B J Wilson of Procol Harum and dear old Ringo, who is the best timekeeper ever. Ever-faithfull Gerry McAvoy manages to play with his lower half almost touching the ground, pounding bass when needed but great swirls of technical skill on tap at all times, and Lou Martin is, well, Lou Martin, all over the keyboard as though it had done him wrong, O Lawdy, but capable of some soft and touching chording, as in Calling Card.And so it goes on for about 25 songs, and Special Mention No. 2 to Rory's slide playing throughout. Rory, if you're listening, you are not supposed to be able to play slide like that in standard tuning, so don't do it again, do you hear?High spots? Where does one start? Garbage Man, one of Muddy's great songs, is full of drive and feeling apart from some unfortunate editing, and I Take What I Want (x2), Bought and Sold, Tatoo'ed Lady, Secret Agent and Souped up Ford are all absolutely edge of seat stuff. But it's all really good and, having seen Cream live at the Albert Hall in 2005, reminds me that all this nostalgia about the "old days" is not without foundation.No point at comparing Rory to Eric or to Gary Moore or to anybody else. They all come at the blues from a different angle and they are all fantastic, talented, brilliant and irreplaceable musicians. Rory was simply Rory, very very different from the others and we will never ever see anything like this Nicest Man in Rock again. This DVD is indispensible and essential listening. Six stars, easily, and five stars to Amazon for an excellent next-day delivery too.Everybody, buy one extra copy for a friend who doesn't know a lot about Rory and the boys and start converting the unknowing right now! Wonderful stuff.

ALL GOOD

Someone asked Hendrix once, what he thought of people saying that either him, or Clapton, were the greatest guitarist ever.Hendrix replied that he didn't really think much about all that, but that people should watch & listen to Rory Gallagher.That's what I reckon too. Jimi knew about these things. These Rockpalast concerts will help you make your mind up & realize.

This DVD is actually 3 concerts in one package. It shows just what a brilliant guitarist Rory Gallagher was. Other reviewers have already said what needs to be said and I endorse their comments. This is an excellent showcase for one of the true Blues/Rock greats, who should have been recognised to a far greater extent than he was. I can only think of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix who had his flair and above all fluidity of playing. The rest of the so-called greats e.g Clapton really are'n in the same league. But this and you will not regret it.

The period 74-77 was when Rory was at his absolute and these two concerts more than justify my claim. He is amazing throughout, keeping the energy level at ten throughout. The only let down is the jam with Frankie Miller at the end which is just plain uninspired, but that's a minor quibble. Now i'm looking forward to the Taste at the I.0.W dvd. Forget Clapton and all the unjustified praise heaped upon him Rory Gallagher was the greatest white guitarist ever!

Very good

Fabulous - Rory at his best.Fantastic value and quality.If you are thinking of buying buy it.