Notes from San FranciscoSony ****

The release of this album fills an important gap in Rory Gallagher’s story. When the Irish guitarist aborted a recording with then leading US producer Elliot Mazer in early 1978, it was seen as a relationship that just didn’t work out. In fact, this intriguing recording shows us a side of Gallagher only hinted at in other albums – buttressed by brass, styled by song structures and shaped by a classy producer into delivering measured licks. It’s not exactly a tuxedo and it doesn’t always fit, but it’s certainly more than jeans and workshirt. Which is exactly why he rejected it. An accompanying scorching live set from slightly later, also remixed by Daniel Gallagher (the son of Rory’s manager and brother Donal) shows that Gallagher, apparently swayed by a Sex Pistols gig, wanted nothing of gentrification – it was “meat and potatoes” blues or nothing at all. See rorygallagher.com

Download tracks: Rue the Day, Wheels Within Wheels, Sea Cruise