Customer Reviews

Wheels Within Wheels

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Long before the whole fashion of doing un-plugged concerts, Rory Gallagher has always been doing acoustic sets in the middle of his electric concerts, giving all Rory Gallagher shows more depth, quality, and variety than your average run of the mill rock 'n' roll concert. In many ways Rory Gallagher had the image of your regular rock 'n' roll star without all the showy trimmings. You never saw Rory Gallagher in a limousine, let alone the idea of him wearing stage clothes. The thought of him having a hairdresser or likewise is positively laughable. But in many ways he was way ahead of his time and a great innovator within rock 'n' roll.

Sadly Rory Gallagher died in 1995 due to complications during a second liver transplant. (As well as being one of the world's finest guitarists, he was according to legend one of the nicest people in the world, too. However, he liked to enjoying himself, helped along with the odd drink.)

So naturally you would of thought that this would of been the end of quality products from the man, as most posthumous releases tend to be scrapping of the barrel type efforts. But fortunately for us the fan, the Rory Gallagher estate has been left in the very capable hands of his brother and long time manager Donal Gallagher. He has successfully released all of Rory's back catalogue, re-mastered with extra bonus tracks, plus a double C.D.'s worth of live material taken from the B.B.C. archives, which contain some of the finest Rory Gallagher live material this dog has ever heard. Yes, I do have 'Live in Europe', ' Stage-Struck', and 'The Irish Tour'.

Now in 2003 we get an all new collection of songs put together by Donal Gallagher (4 completely different versions of tracks Rory Gallagher had recorded before, and 10 new ones to his repertoire, recorded between 1975 and 1994.) At first I was skeptical of this collection, but on the demands of Pattaya's leading Irish musician Declan Casey, I slipped the disc into my player and was immediately enthralled.

It is the perfect combination of old and new songs, all of varied pace, favoring Rory Gallagher's acoustic side. In fact 'Lonesome Highway' is the only song to include anything from the famous old Gallagher battered Stratocaster. The roll call of the famous friend with whom Rory collaborated is also very impressive.

The album opens up with Rory Gallagher in 1977 with the beautiful but melancholic title track 'Wheels Within Wheels', a fine start to any set of songs. Then in complete contrast we have a song from a short tour Rory did with three of his idols (and he was probably theirs). Under the title of 'Guitarists Night' the lineup was David Linley, Richard Thompson, Juan Murtin and Rory. During the performance they would mix and match the four guitarists' styles. This is a number that Rory started doing on stage with Juan and is some of the most tantalizing flamenco guitar that you are ever likely to have the privilege to listen to.

Since the release of 'Irish Tour' in 1074 the Tony Joe White, 'As Crow Flies', had been a firm favorite in any Gallagher set. For the first time I hear here the studio acoustic version, and a very fine rendition it is, too.

'Lonesome Highway' is the only track on the album featuring the Rory Gallagher Band recorded back in 1975. It's a little gem and could of fitted into any of Rory's studio albums. The playing of Lou Martin, Ro De'Ath and especially bassist Gerry McAvoy show just how much they were in sync with their leader.

Rory Gallagher had long admired Martin Carthy. The collaboration between the two of them, together with harpist Maire Ni Chathasaigh and Chris Newman, showed the respect was mutual. On this haunting instrumental 'Bratacha Dubha' the music's coming over as Irish-Elizabethan in texture and is perfectly placed in the middle of this collection. Next is a lovely short instrumental between Rory and Bert Jansch, which, although only just over two minutes long, is quite mesmerizing.

But you are snapped out of your revere by a blast of 'Barley and Grape', a collaboration between Rory and the Dubliners, which must represent the most fun a bunch of musicians can have in a studio. And if they had not been having a wee dram whilst they were recording this, they certainly were before, with the hilarious banter between Rory and Dubliners' vocalist Ronnie Drew. This is followed by two traditional arrangements by Rory collaborating with the doyen of European folk, Roland van Campenhout. They only leave you with the desire that the two of them had found the time to get together for a whole albums' worth of material.

The next three songs are the only live recording on this session and are the most surprising as well as the disc's central focus. When Rory Gallagher was playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1994, who could of foreseen that when Bela Fleck walked out with his banjo to join Rory Gallagher that they would blend so well together? Especially as they had never spoken to each other before; the two just sitting down to play in front of this multitude of people. You only have to hear the crowd react to hear what they thought about it. In all it only lasts 10 minutes, but that's O.K. That's what the repeat button is for on your C.D. player. It is the ultimate `I am not worthy' moment.

'Goin' to my Hometown' was a firm live staple for Rory Gallagher, his tribute to the era of Skiffle. It is perhaps fitting the only studio version known recorded with Lonnie Donegan, and a rip roaring version it is, too. Lonnie Donegan sings the backup refrain with plenty of gusto. As Rory had now given up his no singles policy, it's a shame this was not released at the time of its recording. Its footstompin' rhythm would surely have gained Rory some commercial gain in the fickle Top 20. The songs close out with a very satisfying reflective blues.

A wonderful collection of the warmth and comradeship Rory Gallagher spreads - a joy to the ears. To get more of the electric energy created by Rory Gallagher it is worth getting one of his previous live albums, but this is an absolute must for any lover of good music.

Mott the Dog
edited by Ella Crew

This man would have made a magnificent travelling minstrel during the Middle Ages! The song selection by his brother Donal (bless your heart)shows the wide range of talent our Rory could display and the ease with which he could sit in with a vast array of seemingly divergent talent and still shine through with his own proficiency. I mean, my God, he had not even met some of these people. Donal, please dig deep for any scraps you might have left. The hunger for this man's work is still out there and needs to be fed. Buy this CD. It is not just a bunch of retreads and half-finished songs but a real treat. He was truly the best!!!

Rory Gallagher is probably the single most underrated guitarist that ever lived. Despite his devotion to blues/rock, he never quite reached the fame and accolades that he deserved. This CD reveals the depth of Rory?s talents and his ability to play many different styles, mainly acoustic, including flamingo, rag, roots and traditional Irish music. The CD is mainly a compilation of songs Rory recorded at various times and locations that never saw the light of day until now. The songs are beautifully arranged and serve the memory of Rory well. It is time to gather your pennies and buy a little bit of history. Highly recommended.

Posthumous releases are always a gamble. Given the consistently high quality of Rory Gallagher's work it would have been a shame to mar his reputation with material that he did not sanction. However, this CD is excellent, thanks to Rory's performance and his brother Donal's and Tony Arnold's careful production. Throughout his career Rory sprinkled many of his albums with acoustic tracks, e.g., the mystic celtic-blues treatment of Leadbelly's "Out on the Western Plain" from _Against the Grain_, which left the listener wanting more. On _Wheels Within Wheels_ we finally get more. This is a fascinating collection of mostly acoustic tracks on which he collaborates with such folk luminaries as the Dubliners and Bert Jansch. The highlights are "Lonesome Highway," a song which demonstrates the full range of Rory's talents as a songwriter, lyricist, acoustic and electric guitarist; "She Moved through the Fair," a hauntingly beautiful guitar duet with Jansch; "The Cookoo," a lyrical yet eerie track featuring Rory's friend Roland Van Campenhout; and a rendition of "Goin' to My Hometown" on which Rory and Lonnie Donegan feed off each other's manic energy. _Wheels Within Wheels_ is a beautiful, moving album.

It's obvious that Rory was at his ease when he was performing.Take a listen to track 7 Barley And Grape Rag featuring The Dubliners.They obviously had a ball recording this one.Track 1 Wheels Within Wheels is indeed a beauitiful tune made all the more melodic by the Piano playing of Lou Martin.Track 2 brings to mind I'm Not Awake Yet from Rorys Deuce Album,same style of playing and exellent too.Track 5 Bratacha Dubha has that celtic,english Folk sound to it,and Track 8 The Cuckoo is another gem,which brings back some great memories of gigs gone by.Track 10 has on opening some great slide guitar and is a great Blusey number with Rory laughing as he sings the lyrics, this just brought a smile to my face to hear him enjoying playing,also some magnicifent Banjo playing which is finger pickin good!Tracks 10 and 11 are performed live by the way.Track 12 Deep Elm Blues has that Country Rock feeling,like a train is chugging down the railroad track type of vibe with some Rory Harmonica and once again lovely slide guitar.Track 13 Goin To My Hometown made famous on the Live In Europe album gets a little different treatment here,with a cool drum beat and Lonnie Donnegan screaming lyrics in the background,exellent,exellent,exellent.All in this new release from Donal Gallagher on behalf of his brother Rory is without doubt a milestone for any Rory Fans out there.Just like the old days I purchased this with complete anticipation as I used to do with any Rory release,and I'm just coming down after listening to it.On a final note,I can actually see and hear from this release that Rory was indeed almost like 2 different people,and this has been said in the past.On this album one can understand this statement now.I think the Rory in the public eye,was a different person to the Rory playing his beloved guitar in the studio,it's plainly obvious here.Oh by the way,did I mention,Bert Jansch,Lonnie Donnegan,Juan Martin,Martin Carthy,Bela Fleck,The Dubliners?The're all on here too.Congratulations to Donal again on keeping Rory's memory alive,great selection Donal,Well Done.

Rory was everything that a rock star should be - and a whole lot more besides. Despite being lumped in with the early `70s guitar virtuosos on the strength of his spirited and prop-free live shows ( check out Live in Europe and Live Irish, not to mention the Taste power trio ), he was an extremely sensitive as well as exciting musician of the highest order who liked to mix light and shade in his recordings.
Here is a beautiful set of acoustic Rory which reveal the more eclectic side of The Man, sometimes neglected during his highly successful career in favour of ( some very special ) Stratocaster and slide pyrotechnics.
He himself always reckoned that his live performances were a kind of antidote to the more melancholic, personal material in his songwriting ( check out Rory Gallagher 1 ) and vice versa. Here you get a very satisfying blend of the two. Marvellous. Rory Gallagher music. Brings a twinkle - and a tear - to my eye. Cheers mate.

Thank you, Donal Gallagher, for keeping your brother Rory's music in the public eye. I have been waiting for such a release for years. Rory shows his love and talent for interpreting and writing acoustic based music. If you are a fan of Rory, you will not be disapointed with "Wheels Inside Wheels."

When you first get turned on to Rory Gallegher-you are hooked.Too late-you are hooked!I was first introduced to him on a late night concert show in the early 1970s(In Concert or Don Kirshners Rock Concert-I forget).When I heard the licks coming from this worn Gibson by this long hair in a flannel shirt I-was hooked.Life long fan and avid collector of his music ever since.When the later years rushed upon us, I felt that I would get a chance to see him live in some small venue.Then he died--so sad(he was a drinker and his liver was shot).He was also a player,writer,vocalist, and known worldwide for his style and rock background(or groundbreaking).His brother Donal was his manager and confidant,a web site developed for fans like me,and talk of an unplugged album was stirring.I was excited in anticipating this release.This was early 2001-released in 03,and purchased 04.Acoustic Irish music is very similar to Appalachain folk.You get some of that and it is great.The solo of "As the Crow Flies" on the national steel is classic(Irish Tour 74 anyone?)The live jam at the Montreaux festival with Bela Fleck doing "Amazing Grace-Walking Blues-Blue Moon of Kentucky" medely is a rare treat.The best tune is from the bandback in 1975 called "Lonesome Highway".Where this tune has hidden is a mystery to me(Would have been a MONSTER HIT with some airplay).A nice revision at the end of the CD for good measure puts an exclamation point to one of the finest collections of songs I have ever heard from an artist I really want to hear more music from. Donal-Wheels Within Wheels Vol 2?

I have been a fan of Rory's since his days with Taste in the late 60's. From then until his untimely passing in the mid 90's, he was my favorite blues-rock guitarist. This CD showcases his far too infrequently heard from acoustic work. I shall treasure it always, and recommend it to all.

God took Rory Gallagher away far too early. This is a terrific album with an energy that is extraordinary. Highly recommended.