Rating: Summary: A WONDERFUL TREAT FOR RORY FANS Review: ok rory gallagher fans, here it is, a great dvd from the classic irish tour of 74'. some people said there were to many close-ups of rory in this film, and not enough of rory playing his guitar. i did not think so! in fact i think it was filmed very "evenly" giving the other band members a chance to shine, as well as the fans, and some very interesting footage of ireland. there is one scene where rory walks into a guitar shop and starts playing some guitars, i think he mentioned it was where he got his first guitar, or something to that extent! it's nice to here rory talk to the fans, and to the movie interviewer. about how he plays certain guitars, uses his slide, etc...you just can't help, but like this guy! you can just see how nice and humble he really was! the mixing on this dvd is great for something almost 30 years old.you can really crank it up! "cradle rock", and "tatoo lady" sound very nice! the bottom line is, if you're a rory gallagher fan, you must have this dvd. i hope this is a forward trend for some other rory shows to come out on dvd, like "live in cork" and maybe some hidden treasures nobody has seen!
Rating: Summary: rory dvd good Review: rory dvd good, no, rory dvd very good....
Rating: Summary: Unsung Rory Gallagher live at his peak! Review: Rory Gallagher is quite possibly the most criminally underrated guitarist from the seventies. He has been described as the Irish version of Eric Clapton or Johnny Winter. Like these two guitarists he is comfortable playing blues or rock but he can also play in a more folk oriented style or even a jazzier style if the situation warrants it. This documentary of his 1974 Irish Tour should go a long way to rectify the situation. While Gallagher's reputation may have suffered due to his fear of flying and his humble nature, his playing more than speaks for itself. This fact is evident during the interviews and non-concert footage from the DVD. Gallagher's primary motivation appears to be the music and his fans, not the money and acclaim. Rory appears almost embarrassed at times about his fame and while taking the time to sign autographs for his fans he appears almost shy. His stage apparel of jeans and a checkered shirt and battered Stratocaster are legendary and further prove that he is not on some sort of star trip.The music itself is both incendiary and emotion filled. Aided by long time bassist Gerry McAvoy along with former Killing Floor members Rod de'Ath on drums and Lou Martin on keyboards Gallagher succeeds in translating the live concert experience to disk. The concert itself contains three numbers "Hands Up", "Going To My Home Town" and the raucous encore "Bullfrog Blues" lamentably not issued on the compact disk version of the "Irish Tour 1974". Gallagher is adept at both acoustic and electric guitars as evidenced by his acoustic cover of Tony Joe White's "As The Crow Flies". Rory was also an excellent slide guitarist and "Who's That Coming" provides a testiment to his slide guitar playing. His emotional reading of the slow blues "A Million Miles Away" is another highlight. The smile on Rory's face during the concert shows the viewer that he is both having a great time, which translates to the audience and is emotionally involved in the music. The concert footage is alternated with footage of Ireland and areas where Rory performed and grew up. This allows the viewer to identify with Gallagher's struggle to get his music heard outside of his native Ireland. Commentary is provided by both bassist Gerry McAvoy and Rory's brother and manager Donal. Some of the most interesting non-concert footage is of Gallagher jamming with the band before the concert and explaining the various styles and techniques he uses on both the acoustic and electric guitars. He also seems amused while shopping at a music store to find sheet music for some of his songs with his first band Taste. I highly recommend this to fans of great blues and rock guitar playing. Rory Gallagher fans will find this essential due to the dearth of available live Gallagher footage and the three unissued versions of songs from the Irish Tour 1974. The film also provides valuable insights into Rory's background and personality. It also enhances the legacy of one of Ireland's greatest musicians.
Rating: Summary: Unsung Rory Gallagher live at his peak! Review: Rory Gallagher is quite possibly the most criminally underrated guitarist from the seventies. He has been described as the Irish version of Eric Clapton or Johnny Winter. Like these two guitarists he is comfortable playing blues or rock but he can also play in a more folk oriented style or even a jazzier style if the situation warrants it. This documentary of his 1974 Irish Tour should go a long way to rectify the situation. While Gallagher's reputation may have suffered due to his fear of flying and his humble nature, his playing more than speaks for itself. This fact is evident during the interviews and non-concert footage from the DVD. Gallagher's primary motivation appears to be the music and his fans, not the money and acclaim. Rory appears almost embarrassed at times about his fame and while taking the time to sign autographs for his fans he appears almost shy. His stage apparel of jeans and a checkered shirt and battered Stratocaster are legendary and further prove that he is not on some sort of star trip. The music itself is both incendiary and emotion filled. Aided by long time bassist Gerry McAvoy along with former Killing Floor members Rod de'Ath on drums and Lou Martin on keyboards Gallagher succeeds in translating the live concert experience to disk. The concert itself contains three numbers "Hands Up", "Going To My Home Town" and the raucous encore "Bullfrog Blues" lamentably not issued on the compact disk version of the "Irish Tour 1974". Gallagher is adept at both acoustic and electric guitars as evidenced by his acoustic cover of Tony Joe White's "As The Crow Flies". Rory was also an excellent slide guitarist and "Who's That Coming" provides a testiment to his slide guitar playing. His emotional reading of the slow blues "A Million Miles Away" is another highlight. The smile on Rory's face during the concert shows the viewer that he is both having a great time, which translates to the audience and is emotionally involved in the music. The concert footage is alternated with footage of Ireland and areas where Rory performed and grew up. This allows the viewer to identify with Gallagher's struggle to get his music heard outside of his native Ireland. Commentary is provided by both bassist Gerry McAvoy and Rory's brother and manager Donal. Some of the most interesting non-concert footage is of Gallagher jamming with the band before the concert and explaining the various styles and techniques he uses on both the acoustic and electric guitars. He also seems amused while shopping at a music store to find sheet music for some of his songs with his first band Taste. I highly recommend this to fans of great blues and rock guitar playing. Rory Gallagher fans will find this essential due to the dearth of available live Gallagher footage and the three unissued versions of songs from the Irish Tour 1974. The film also provides valuable insights into Rory's background and personality. It also enhances the legacy of one of Ireland's greatest musicians.
Rating: Summary: Rory Gallagher: Irish Tour '74 Review: Rory Gallagher remains the best kept secret in blues/rock history. If you are just discovering this largely over-looked musician, you are in for a real treat! IT'74 is a fantastic way to start your investigation of one of the greatest rock and blues guitarists of all times. Tony Palmer, the film maker does a great job in capturing a young Rory with this film. It's a great little chunk of history that depicts a special time in music history, a vital, energetic and creative time. Rory Gallagher died much to young. He played and toured into the early nineties, so you are looking at a snapshot of his early work, which just happened to coincide with a dangerous time in Ireland. Rory was the only major artist to consistently play and tour venues in Ireland, that other musicians avoided. IT'74 captures the excitement and love of this great man in a magnificent look back at these shows. Hopefully, many new fans will get a chance to enjoy the work of this very humble man. I hope that IT'74 is the "first" Rory Gallagher DVD and that we can look forward to more in the future. This is definitely worth the price of admission. Don't miss it!
Rating: Summary: Don't Miss This One Review: Rory Gallagher! This is a great piece of Rory for those who were lucky enough to have seen him personally and especially for those who didn't have the chance. Thank goodness that this glimpse of Rory is available for history. The man and his music were greatly undervalued. Check this performance out and also get a peek at a simply nice human being. Unspoiled by the business, unchecked in his enthusiasm and unparralled in his gift. Pure. Unique. Greatness. Enjoy. Charlie G., Brooklyn NY usa
Rating: Summary: Nice ,but disappointing Review: The live shots of the band in concert wasted too much footage on showing Rory's face and not enough film on his guitar playing. They should have at least filmed his whole body while he was playing. Hard to get into a groove with the film as you hear the guitar wailing and they did not show much of it. The plus side of the film was showing us his 'down to earth, not worried about a hit single approach'. If we had more artists like Rory the state of rock/blues would not be in the sorry state it finds itself in. Rory and Robin Trower are my two favorites.
Rating: Summary: Rory rules Review: This DVD is well worth the money.I had heard that a movie was made about his Irish tour '74.It is now out on DVD and it is fabulous.The sound and picture quality is pretty good for 1974 vintage and his performance of "Cradle Rock" is worth the purchase alone.The songs on the DVD are slightly different then the CD of the same name.That is also worth the purchase.
Rating: Summary: At Last !! Irish Tour 74 -THE FILM of Rory Gallagher !!! Review: This is a classic performance of Rory Gallagher Irish Tour 74. A film ( documentary) by Tony Palmer released for `cinema' in 1974,capturing the high energy of these concerts.Rory At his best!! This DVD is a great gift for all fans. The `documentary' shows the band`s members before the concert,jokes,jams sessions and Rory in a musical instrument store trying acoustic guitars and others curiosities. The song `A Million Miles Away 'is absolutely great !!Rory isn`t forgot. The image isn`t a digital perfection (remember, this concert was in 1974,recorded for a `movie' documentary),but the quality and the sound are good for me,worth see and buy this rare Rory`s performance.( Remastered in 5.1 surround sound ). This DVD have discography informations and a `bonus' session recorded Live in Japan 1974.A blured image,but rare. 83 minutes of the best`s Rory Gallagher concerts !!! 27 Years to see this,until now !!At last.
Rating: Summary: Music: 5 Stars - Documentary : 3 Stars Review: This is a must for any Rory fan. To see him walk into a music store, pull an acoustic guitar off a hook, create magical music and then leave is spectacular. Seeing him with his distictly un-rock-star entourage is refreshing. No guitar techs here - you get to see the band change their own strings. The onstage moments highlight his virtuoso playing, and that of the band. The film however is not without faults. To see Rory wailing onstage with closeups of his face misses the point. There should have been more shots of his great guitar technique in action. Some crowd reaction scenes are recycled which lessens the feeling that you are watching a live event. Some shots from behind the band are not synched with the music playing (although you do have to look closesly to tell). But that said, this is the record of Rory Gallagher that we have. If you love blues/rock playing you have to own this DVD.
|