mistermeaner's Full Review: Tattoo [Remaster] by Rory Gallagher
A little over a half century ago, hailing from the banks of the River Erne in Ballyshannon, Ireland, came a lad that would conceivably become the most underrated guitarist and songwriter of all time, Rory Gallagher. His talents stretch far beyond the skills of the commonplace player, which is quite obvious when listening to his use of his electric guitar and the occasional partnering of harmonica and mandolin. He flourishes in a variety of very distinct and original musical techniques in rock, blues, jazz, folk and flatpicking Irish and Scottish bluegrass. There is no mistaking a Rory Gallagher riff or lead solo. His manner of play is sometimes aggressive, sometimes mild, sometimes moderate, but always meaningful, melodic & enthusiastic.
Here are a few facts about Rory Gallagher that may be of interest :
** He has sold over 30 million records in his commendable career;
** His playing has been respectfully praised by the likes of Jimmy Page, John Lennon, Brian May, Ritchie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, Michael Schenker and Peter Townsend;
** On top of a long and brilliant solo career, he was constantly being recruited to record with some extraordinary artists, but could not accept all invitations. He recorded with some greats in rock, blues and jazz, such as Muddy Waters, Jimmy Page, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jeff Beck, Albert King & Chris Barber;
** When Mick Taylor departed from the Rolling Stones, Rory Gallagher was the first guitarist to be approached with a proposal to replace him. Rory politely declined.
Rory Gallagher was, and still is without a doubt, the greatest Irish guitarist in modern music ever!! Sorry U2 fans, I’m sure some of you think that Dave Evans (The Edge) is Ireland’s finest, but as fine as he is, he's far short of the talents of Rory Gallagher. Forgive me Dave !
His career lasted over 30 years, and there is no question that he was an all around player. He was like a crusader for the long haired blues movement that was peaking in the 60's. Rory was right there in the midst of it all. While other players, like Alvin Lee, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were getting the lion’s share of the spotlight, Rory Gallagher was without a doubt in the same, if not better, league as them. In that era in Rock music, it was truly only Rory Gallagher, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac’s, Peter Green, that could play with real blues authenticity. His playing earned him Melody Makers “Musician of the Year” award in 1972. He made several television appearances and has headlined many rock, blues and jazz music festivals.
“Tattoo” was released in 1973. This is his 5th release during his solo career that began after the disbandment of his 60's power trio, “Taste”. Cream is often credited for being the first “power trio” in rock music, but the true fact is, Taste was born before Cream. The record is very good, but this remastered version is fantastic ! It really is one of his finest recordings. It contains a great mix of power blues, rock & roll, good time southern rock, country folk and boogie woogie. It’s one of his most cheery recordings of all.
The line-up on this recording is :
Bass : Gerry McAvoy, who was Rory’s long time reliable and sensational bassist for over 20 years)
Drums: Rod De'Ath
Keyboards : Lou Martin
Guitars / Vocals / Harmonica : Rory Gallagher
On this record, as on all Rory Gallagher records, he’s playing an old beat up 1961 Fender Stratocaster that he had since he was 15 years old.
“Tatoo’d Lady” kicks off the CD. It carries a moderate tempo with some severity during the breaks and modulation. If you are into lyrical content, this one is kind of humorous and twisted actually. He’s singing about running off with a tattoo’d lady with a beard that tours in a circus. The lead solos are energetic and exciting.
”Cradle Rock”.......two words for you.....”HOLD ON” ! This one is a rock boogie number that can get a mannequin to dance ! It’s very high on the energy level. Rory plays a slide guitar lead and a harmonica solo on this number. Lou Martin’s keyboard work really cooks on this one. The drum beat is a double 4/4 shuffle and it’s played with smoothness.
"20/20 Vision” is a fabulous acoustical number that resembles a late night swinging piano bar. This is a joyful tune. The guitar and piano work is played with high genuineness in this setting and the lyrics are perfect for this format. People talk about her like she was a diamond on the shelf....well, I got 20/20 vision, I can see that for myself... The soloing is great and the rhythm section is flawless.
"They Don’t Make Them Like You Anymore" is a Van Morrison meets Alman Brothers type of tune. It swings with potency and enthusiasm from start to finish. The solos are tailor fitted for this tune and it certainly is one of many high points on this recording. The breaks are lambent and the overall consistency of the song is brilliant.
”Living Like a Trucker” is a straight ahead rocker with a few bright moments. It’s not one of the best numbers on the record, but Rory’s lead solo makes the song worthwhile. The nice thing is that Rory is using a “wah-wah” pedal on the rhythm tracks on this one, something he rarely used. It adds a nice touch.
”Sleep on a Clothes Line” begins along the lines of a Elmore James traditional number, but then transforms into a 2/4 rock shuffle. It’s a nice tune and the feel lodges your regarded interest in Rory’s guitar playing. Great bluesy rock number.
”Who’s That Coming” is the longest song on the original record. At 7:09, it’s a great blues tune that begins as a folkish blues tune with a great slide riff. Rory’s rhythm is instantly infectious. The chorus slightly changes the groove for a bit, but the verses, the vamps and the lead solos override any flaw in this tune. The main riff is played in a unison harmony with acoustic & electric guitar with a harmonica.
”A Million Miles Away” is one of Rory’s finest songs ever written. Sadly, it didn’t make his live setlist during the later part of his career, but it truly is a gem. Rory uses harmonic flatpicking tricks on this number and plays a number of brilliant melodic phrases. The thing that bothers me about this tune is the keyboard playing hornparts. There are hundreds of great horn players out in the musical wilderness, and why bands play horn parts emulated by fancy circuit electronic keyboards is beyond me. The song appears on his “Irish Tour 74" record and it’s truthfully much better in a live setting.
”Admit It” is the last tune on the original record. It’s a distorted funky rock tune with a brash riff joined by the strong backbone of McAvoy and D’Ath. As in the case with many of Rory’s tunes, it’s the lead guitar solo that provides the peaking thrill of the ride. The song stays in the same groove pattern with an occasional key progression change. The tonality of the electric piano is a little bit fidgety at times, but it’s quickly dismissed as soon as Rory’s guitar kicks in.
2 bonus tracks are included on the remastered CD. All the songs on the original record were written by Rory Gallagher. The two bonus tracks are not his compositions, but clever renditions of the original tunes.
”Tuscon, Arizona”, written by Link Wray, is a country tune that almost sounds a little like Bob Dylan mixed with Randy Travis at times. It’s a really nice tune and I wonder why it never appeared on any records before. It is a different side of Rory and it easily demonstrates the wide versatility of this neglected legend.
”Just a Little Bit” is a traditional rocking blues anthem that has been cover by ever bonafide player in the blues rock revolution of the late 60's. Elvis originally recorded this one and I am sure the King would not be disappointed with the job Rory’s unit did on this version. It is highly evident that these modest Irish players were having a great time jamming and sweating on this one. The solos are extended and it’s filled with great riffs and Rory’s trademark guitar tricks.
“Tattoo” is a marvelous effort by the late Rory Gallagher, who died in 1998 in a London hospital, due to the after effects of a liver transplant. It captures many blends of his embellishing guitar and songwriting textures. His singing is a bit hard to embrace because his voice is edgy and rough, mid ranged with a bit of staleness, but there are certainly many mainstream artists with a more serious quality singing voice deficiency than his.
If you are a fan of rocking blues cats like Otis Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King, Johnny Winter, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Roy Buchanan, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, W.C. Clark, Robbin Ford, Lightin’ Hopkins, Billy Gibbons, Albert King, Duane Alman, Eric Clapton and Peter Green, then you have to pick this one up and it’s a must that you learn more about this great performer.
If you are an aspiring guitarist, then Rory Gallagher needs to be included as one of your valued musical points of reference. You’ll be glad you did.
There have been many underrated and unrecognized guitarists that have made a valuable and ulterior imprint in music and even though their names may not be familiar to us, they have indeed served as an inspirational icon to perhaps someone that we are very familiar with. It’s opprobriously sad that such a great musician like Rory Gallagher is becoming extinct as time withers by. Without a doubt, Rory Gallagher has somehow touched us with the influential impact that he’s had on some of the artists that we love to listen to today. And although his name is sadly not included in many publishings regarding the “best ever” guitarists, Rory Gallagher certainly and truly does belong in the same category along with the finest and most elite.
Perhaps the lack of recognition comes from his anti-conforming image that was sported by his old guitar, flannel shirt, old blue jeans and a pint of whiskey or scotch. Whatever the reasons and excuses are for keeping him out of music’s notable limelight is beyond me, but one thing for certain, those reasons & excuses need hard re-evaluation and serious reconsideration to give him the higher musical status that he is owed.
As long as there is room for guitar legends in music, then there is more than enough room for Rory Gallagher.
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