Live in Europe (Rory Gallagher album)

Infobox Album | Name = Live In Europe
Released = 1972
Type = live
Producer = Rory Gallagher
Artist = Rory Gallagher


Recorded = February - March, 1972
Genre = Blues-Rock
Length = 59:24
Label = Buddha Records
Last album = "Deuce"
(1971)
This album = "Live In Europe"
(1972)
Next album = "Blueprint"
(1973)

Live! in Europe is an album released by Irish Blues guitarist Rory Gallagher in 1972. As the title suggests, it is a series of live recordings made by Gallagher during his European tour.

Album profile

"Live in Europe" is considered by many critics to be a landmark live recording, as it carefully blends the musicians with the crowd to create a gig-like atmosphere so craved by those who enjoy or produce live albums. Gallagher always insisted that his studio albums failed to capture the raw energy of his live acts and as a result released a number of live albums, many of which contain what are considered the "definitive versions" of some of his better known songs. Bob Dylan requested to record the song "Going to my hometown" that features on this album with Gallagher, but this recording never happened.

"Live In Europe" broke into the Top 10 of the UK albums chart, consolidating the success of his first two studio offerings. Rory's high-octane blues-rock was well suited for the stage, a fact to which anyone who saw him in concert or has heard this or other live albums like "Irish Tour '74" and "Stage Struck" can attest. The set kicks off with two rockers, Junior Wells' "Messin' With the Kid" and the original "Laundromat," before Gallagher slows down for "I Could've Had Religion" and Blind Boy Fuller's "Pistol Slapper Blues." The pace quickens for "Going to My Home Town," a showcase for some fierce mandolin playing with enthusiastic audience participation, and the rocking boogie of "In Your Town." "Bullfrog Blues" provides the finale during which the other two thirds of the power trio--bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Wilgar Campbell get to solo for the appreciative crowd.

"Live In Europe" became Rory's first gold album, and his second chart album success in the States.

Tracks seven and eight did not appear on the original release, but have appeared as bonus tracks on almost every edition of the album since.

Track listing

#"Messin' With the Kid" (London) (6:25)
#"Laundromat" (Gallagher) (5:12)
#"I Could've Had Religion" (Trad. Arr. Gallagher) (8:35)
#"Pistol Slapper Blues" (Blind Boy Fuller) (2:54)
#"Going to My Hometown" (Gallagher) (5:46)
#"In Your Town" (Gallagher) (10:03)
#"What in the World"* (Trad. Arr. Gallagher) (7:40)
#"Hoodoo Man"* (Trad. Arr. Gallagher) (6:02)
#"Bullfrog Blues" (Trad. Arr. Gallagher) (6:47)

Notes

External links