Monday, July 1, 2013

Rory Gallagher - Against The Grain (1975 ireland, remarkable blues rock, 2018 bonus tracks remaster)



 Rory's seventh album catches him in sparking form. He had released the hugely successful 'Irish Tour' album a year earlier, recorded with the great Albert King at the Montreuxm Music Festival and had just negotiated a new deal with Chrysalis Records. Rory was now established as a major solo artist and was producing some of the best live and studio performances of his career. 'Against The Grain' perfectly captures the enthusiasm and emotion of the time.
 
"All Around Man" was written by Bo Carter, one of the original members of the Mississippi Sheiks, a band Rory greatly admired and pays tribute to on 'Photo Finish'. This inspired cover version features a great Lou Martin solo.
 
"Watching the sky with tears in my eyes, I feel lonely
Time's flying by, but I start to smile, it's not easy"
The demise of Taste is described in "At The Bottom". It had been nearly five years since the split, but it is clear in the lyrics that Rory was only just coming to terms with that time in his life.
Tracks
1. Let Me In  - 4:03
2. Cross Me Off Your List  - 4:26
3. Ain't Too Good  - 3:54
4. Souped-Up Ford  - 6:24
5. Bought and Sold  - 3:24
6. I Take What I Want (Porter, Hodges, Isaac Hayes) - 4:22
7. Lost at Sea  - 4:06
8. All Around Man (Bo Carter) - 6:14
9. Out on the Western Plain (Leadbelly) - 3:53
10.At the Bottom  - 3:18
11.Cluney Blues - 2:12
12.My Baby, Sure - 2:55
All tracks composed by Rory Gallagher; except where stated
Bonus tracks 11-12

Musicians
*Rory Gallagher - Guitars, Vocals
*Gerry McAvoy - Bass
*Lou Martin - Keyboards
*Rod de'Ath - Drums, Percussion

Free Text