Rory Gallagher/Netherlands 1979

In 1979, Rory Gallagher released his second album, “TOP PRIORITY,” featuring Ted McKenna, and was pushing forward into the so-called hard rock era. The best soundboard album is now available. This work includes “October 18, 1979 Sittard Performance (Netherlands)”. This is a stereo soundboard recording. Speaking of “TOP PRIORITY TOUR”, it is also a live album “STAGE STRUCK”, but that official edition is a best-of live album compiled by selecting from various parts of the tour. In contrast, this work is a soundboard album that can be enjoyed through one performance. So, what kind of position is this show in? Let’s look back and check the schedule from that time.・January 1st – March 4th: Europe #1 (23 performances)《TOP PRIORITY’ completed in April》 ・April 29th – May 14th: Europe #2 (3 performances) ・July 7th -18th/August 18th: Europe #3 (4 performances) August 22nd – September 15th: North America #1 (26 performances)《“TOP PRIORITY” released on September 26th》 ・September 19th -November 3: Europe #4 (31 performances) ←★Coco★・November 14 – December 7: North America #2 (14 performances) This is Rory Gallagher in 1979. After Ted joined the group, they toured energetically, and continued to perform and record without a break this year. Under such circumstances, the Sittard performance of this work was the 21st performance of “Europe #4”, which was held around the time of the first release of “TOP PRIORITY”. By the way, the show adopted in “STAGE STRUCK” was from “North America #2” to July of the following year, 1980. In other words, this work is a live album that is a prequel to “STAGE STRUCK”. This work recorded at such a show is “excellent” in one word. It’s an FM soundboard for a local radio station, and the recording and mix are perfect. It is a completely official level that is comparable to the traditional “STAGE STRUCK”, and it is a superb soundboard album that can be said to be one of the best. What is depicted with such perfect quality is a full show with plenty of repertoire that cannot be heard on “STAGE STRUCK”. The current “STAGE STRUCK” is a single CD containing 10 songs, although bonus tracks have been added. On the other hand, this work can be fully enjoyed with 15 songs. So what kind of songs can we listen to? Let’s compare and organize. Original album (9 songs) ・TATTOO: Tattoo’d Lady (★) ・AGAINST THE GRAIN: Bought And Sold/Out On The Western Plain (★: Red Berry) ・CALLING CARD: Secret Agent (★)/Moonchild ・PHOTO -FINISH: Shadow Play・TOP PRIORITY: Wayward Child/Follow Me/Key Chain/Bad Penny Other covers (5 songs) ・I Wonder Who (★: Muddy Waters) / As The Crow Flies (★: Tony Joe White ) / Going To My Hometown (★: Trad) / Bullfrog Blues (★: Trad) / Sea Cruise (★: Huey Piano Smith) *Note: Songs marked with “★” cannot be heard on “STAGE STRUCK”. …and it looks like this. Compared to “STAGE STRUCK,” which was filled with Rory’s original songs, this album has plenty of delicious covers. Furthermore, the number of original songs has been increased, and “Tattoo’d Lady” and “Secret Agent” from the golden age are revived with a hard rockin’ ensemble including Ted. Speaking of the official live album from 1979, there is also “NOTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO (DISC 2)”. That live disc was “North America #2” as mentioned above, but the songs “Out On The Western Plain,” “Secret Agent,” “I Wonder Who,” “As The Crow Flies,” and “Going To My Hometown” , it’s a repertoire that you can’t hear even there. The set alone is great, but the opening is a little more interesting. After tuning, we begin the first song, “Wayward Child,” but suddenly there is a problem with the PA, and the guitar goes flying! However, the band continued playing as if nothing had happened, and the guitar returned during the intro. The show starts safely. When I listen to it, I hear that there are some serious troubles going on, but there is no sign of panic. Maybe he doesn’t notice the trouble, or maybe he’s just a seasoned fighter…it’s a pretty amazing start. After that, the full show runs smoothly, but after that, a slightly interesting bonus track is also added. Although this show is in October, it seems that the program was broadcast during the Christmas period, and Rory sends a message in the program. This wasn’t just talking, either, he played “Too Much Alcohol” on the steel guitar and hooked it into the song with a final word. “I hope you very nice Christmas and good new year. Don’t drink too much!” (I hope you very nice Christmas and good new year. Don’t drink too much!) is the greeting. It’s very bluesy and really cool. It’s just a small song. But it’s a bonus that makes you fall in love with Rory’s coolness. Should I say “another STAGE STRUCK” or should I say an expanded version? In any case, this is the definitive album where you can enjoy Rory Gallagher’s full show from the hard rock era, including trouble and bonuses. Along with the official works… no, it’s a famous sound board that boasts a listening experience that is even better than the official live album. Stadsschouwburg, Sittard, Netherlands 18th October 1979 STEREO SBD Disc 1(47:37) 1. Wayward Child 2. Tattoo’d Lady 3. I Wonder Who 4. Follow Me 5. Bought And Sold 6. Keychain 7. Secret Agent 8. Bad Penny Disc 2(52:33) 1. Intro 2. Out On The Western Plain 3. As The Crow Flies 4. Going To My Hometown 5. Moonchild 6. Shadow Play 7. Bullfrog Blues 8. Sea Cruise Bonus Track 9. Too Much Alcohol / Chrismas with from Rory (Dutch radio) STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING Rory Gallagher – Guitar & Vocal Gerry McAvoy – Bass Ted McKenna – Drums