RORY GALLAGHER ‘ LONDON (HAMMERSMITH ODEON) 16 OCTOBER 87 AND SOUTHAMPTON (MAYFLOWER THEATRE) 17 OCTOBER 87

This time, we have the right to believe it. The album is finally out and Rory has made a rather resounding comeback on stage. The two concerts that we had the opportunity to attend (including one at the famous Hammersmith) were packed to the brim with a motley crowed. The Irishman truly deserved it, believe me. They were all there, despite an England ravaged by one of the most terrifying storms in its history, a storm that even led to 15 deaths and deprived London of electricity for most of the day. But let us assure you, there was more than enough electricity in those memorable concerts, in terms of sound as well as in the audience. There were all sorts in the crowd: pure hard rockers, middle management, old hippies… in short, an extremely varied assortment of all ranks of society and all musical tastes were there united to share one faith, one fervour thanks to one of (if not the) most humble defenders of the true values of rock and the blues.

For more than two hours, the tireless Rory brought everybody up to speed, offering the best of himself as usual, and mastering more than ever the huge variety of styles that he has played throughout his long career. What? Rory and variety? some might say. Yes, absolutely. Rory plays everything from the most fiery rock (“Kickback City”, “I Ain’t No Saint”) to torrid blues (“I Wonder Who”, “Loneshark Blues”, “Walking Blues”, “Don’t Start Me Taking”), to devilish boogies (“Bullfrog Blues”, “Messin’ With the Kid”, “Shinkicker”) to old family country folk (Out on the Western Plain) without forgetting the classics, as I call them, the hymns “Shadow Play”, “Tattoo’d Lady”, “Philby” and others, “Follow Me” (cannot get harder than this), which we will definitely never get tired of. All served up with the aggressiveness and emotion that we know so well of Rory and his group made up of the faithful Gerry McAvoy on bass, Brendan O’Neill on drums and Mark Feltham for the incredible harmonica parts that provide beautiful duals with the guitaristic volleys of the boss. Ah, before I forget, the guitar… it is still an indispensable partner, Rory’s good old-fashioned battered Strat who he only uses on 2 or 3 songs. A guitar that has been up to all sorts of things (God know, in a career of more than 20 years, Gallagher has experienced a lot), to such an extent that you’d think it was alive, especially when it is in the hands of its master… I would really like to see how one of these new ‘guitar heroes’ would manage on Rory’s legendary Stratocaster. I am sure that it would bite their fingers!