Essential listening | Rory Gallagher, Irelands greatest

Music Related | 14th June, 2025 theBeat.ie

Widely considered one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time, Rory Gallaghers work spans over 11 studio albums and 6 live albums. Renowned for his intense live performances, soulful playing, and mastery of the guitar, Gallagher developed a distinctive and powerful style, blending blues and rock.

While Rory would release 11 studio albums it would be his live performances that cemented his name in rock history.

Written by William Harris, Bullfrog Blues, would be a staple in Gallaghers live set for decades after becoming aware of the song through hearing a cover version by Canned Heat. When performing live Gallagher was fond of beginning the song with a repeated call of Well, did you ever!, before bursting into full 12-bar blues mode with the occasional splash of slide guitar.

One of his more commercial sounding songs, Tatoo'd Lady featured on the 1973 album Tatoo. A constant in his live performances it is the version on the live album, Irish Tour'74, that sees Gallagher truly shine, especially with the second guitar solo.

Making his note cry on his beloved Strat, I Fall Apart, is one of Gallaghers slower and most moving tracks. Featured on his debut solo album, the track starts off smooth before it builds to a powerful climax.

With a heavy bassline and squealing guitar, For The Last Time, features on Gallaghers debut solo album, Rory Gallagher, released in 1971. His brother, and manager, Donal Gallagher would say that the song was about Rorys treatment following the demise of Taste.

A slow haunting ballad, Easy Come, Easy Go, features on 1982's, Jinx, Gallaghers ninth studio album. An optimistic blues ballad, Gallagher tells the tale of gaining everything you wanted and then losing it just as quick.

Showcasing Gallagher's distinctive blues-rock guitar style, Bad Penny, was a staple of his live shows. With hints of southern-rock, lyrically Gallagher explores betrayal and resilience, while his guitar oozes with ear melting tones over Gerry McAvoy's funky bass groove.

For the ultimate display of showmanship then Shadow Play, live at Montreux Music Festival, 1979, is a must. The recording captures Gallaghers raw power on the stage as he takes the band on an extended jam throwing out every crowd pleasing trick he knew.

A rare love-themed song for Gallagher, Moonchild, is an open refrain to a fantasy woman. Built around an ear splitting riff, the fan favorite on the live scene showcases Gallagher guitar wizardry against an aggressive rhythm section by Gerry McAvoy on a bass and Brendan O’Neill on drums.

Born out of a walk with his brother on a beach near Ballycotton, Co. Cork, A Million Miles Away is a fan favorite, especially from his live performances. A slow tempo ballad, Gallagher makes use of the volume knob of his guitar creating haunting effects before kicking it to 10 with a screaming solo.

A slow blues ballad, What In The World, sees Gallaghers guitar scream with deep emotion and anguish. A staple on his live set, and a fan favorite, Rory tells the tale of a relationship breakdown. Featured on Live In Europe, the song is considered a classic by fans, noted for Gallaghers passionate delivery.