Rory Gallagher: Irish Tour ‘74

This concert documentary featuring Irish rocker Rory Gallagher appropriately opens with the guitarist and his band in the midst of an extended jam. This is the Gallagher his fans paid to see—with his plaid shirt and mutton chop sideburns, squeezing out sweaty, blues-drenched licks from his battered Fender Stratocaster—and the crowds eat up every note of this nine-song set (including “Cradle Rock,” “Bullfrog Blues,” and “Tattoo'd Lady”) recorded at various venues in his homeland. Gallagher, who died in 1995, was a fine player—fiery but tasteful, true to his roots in American electric and country blues, and skilled at playing slide, mandolin, and dobro—as well as a charismatic, indefatigable performer. But details like vocals and songwriting seem perfunctory (a way to kill time until the next guitar solo), his voice is gruff and tuneless, and there isn't a memorable melody in the bunch. Gallagher was talented, and while he may have inspired people like U2's The Edge, his own music wasn't in the same league. Directed by Tony Palmer, this 1974 documentary, which interweaves offstage and interview footage between songs, has been nicely restored and remastered for Blu-ray. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS-HD, and LPCM stereo, extras include Rory Gallagher: Music Maker (with additional songs), home movies from his 1974 tour in Japan, and audio commentary by Gallagher's brother Donal and bass player Gerry McAvoy. Optional. (S. Graham)