After
four years and three albums, not counting
the posthumously released 'Live at the
Isle of Wight', Rory Gallagher split up
his previous band ''Taste'' in 1970, just
as they seemed destined to break into
the big time. But then Rory Gallagher
always did things his own way, never one
to do the obvious. Rory then set about
putting his own band together, under his
own terms. It was very much Rory's way
or the Highway, and Rory's way could not
of been a bad one as bassist Gerry McAvoy
stuck it out with Rory through thick and
thin from the first to the last.
With Rory now firmly in control a new
trio was formed under ''The Rory Gallagher
Band" banner with the aforementioned
Gerry McAvoy on Bass and the powerhouse
drummer Wilgar Campbell. For the next
two years they toured incessantly, wherever
people were prepared to listen to them,
and at every performance never less than
a 110% was given by Rory and the boys.
They often played for over three hours
when they were only booked to do one.
There was never any money or time wasted
on stage - attire either. What the band
wore on the street is what they wore on
stage. What you saw was what you got.
Rory never believed in Set Lists, playing
what he thought was appropriate to the
moment; some nights opening with one song,
the next playing the same song as a final
encore. Giving the other two just seconds
to know which song he would be launching
into next. Rory would do this with songs
as well, playing 'Too Much Alcohol' one
night as a full blown electric rocker
with the band, and the next as an acoustic
Blues with just him on acoustic guitar
and a Harmonica.
During this time they recorded the first
two studio albums. The self-titled debut
album released in May 1971 mostly made
up of songs left over from Rory's "days
with Taste", followed by the far
more adventurous 'Deuce' released in December
of the same year. But it was not until
the release the following year of this
groundbreaking Live album that Rory Gallagher
achieved record sales to match his fanatical
life following. 'Live in Europe' reached
Number 12 in Britain, but more importantly
breaking into the American Billboard Top
100, opening up a whole new audience.
The set starts of at a frantic pace with
two rockers, the evergreen chestnut Junior
Well's 'Messin' with the Kid ' (which
Rory turned into his own), and the Rory
original 'Laundromat', then everything
is slowed down for the aching blues of
'I Could've Had Religion', where Rory's
slide and harmonica work are allowed to
shine. Then, without the band, an acoustic
version of Blind Boy Fuller's 'Pistol
Slapper Blues'. This time Rory gets to
show off his fine guitar picking. For
a complete change of tempo we get the
stompin 'Going to my Home Town' with Rory
on Mandolin, some very effective bass
work from Gerry and Wilgar plus some marvelous
Audience participation. Rory could of
had a hit single on his hands if he had
released an edited version of this song
as a 45. But like 'Led Zeppelin' Rory
never released a single during his career,
leaving that area to the so called Pop
Bands. Live set centerpiece is 'In your
own Town', a ten minute band work out.
And when Rory cries out "See this
match? Well I am going to set this whole
place alight.'', you just know it's time
for the band to cut loose.
Next in the running order are the two
tracks added on to this digitally Remastered
CD version. Two great blues workouts in
traditional Rory Gallagher style, a worthy
addition to any set. The album closes
with Rory's raved up version of 'Bullfrog
Blues' including a pulsating bass solo
from Gerry followed by a thrashing drum
solo before the whole band crashes back
in with Rory bringing the house down with
a screaming slide solo…..which leaves
everybody breathless.
After this batch of touring, Rory took
on a keyboard player to fill out the sound
in both the studio and as a touring unit,
but I always preferred this pioneering
first band. Whatever you think 'Live in
Europe' is a fine testament to a credible
live act and a fine Human Being.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
