Remixed and expanded (with two additional tracks recorded but chopped off the vinyl version) for its debut on CD in 1999, this is a sturdy, workmanlike Rory Gallagher release. Reverting back to a trio, Gallagher toughens up his sound and blazes through some robust blues rockers like "Last of the Independents," "Shadow Play," and "Brute Force & Ignorance" (one of his best hard rock riffs) with nervy energy. Gallagher's swampy side emerges on "Cloak & Dagger," another song that explores his fascin...
Remixed and expanded (with two additional tracks recorded but chopped off the vinyl version) for its debut on CD in 1999, this is a sturdy, workmanlike Rory Gallagher release. Reverting back to a trio, Gallagher toughens up his sound and blazes through some robust blues rockers like "Last of the Independents," "Shadow Play," and "Brute Force & Ignorance" (one of his best hard rock riffs) with nervy energy. Gallagher's swampy side emerges on "Cloak & Dagger," another song that explores his fascination with B-movie gumshoes, a common theme for the Irish blues-rocker.
His guitar work is typically excellent throughout, especially on "Overnight Bag," as he overdubs himself on acoustic. Still, the album has a samey feel due to some of the songwriting not being quite up to snuff, and a few tracks, like the moody, slow-burning "Feel to the Fire," stretched well past its breaking point to over six minutes. Of the two additional tunes, "Early Warning" is a typically rugged chunky rocker, and "Juke Box Annie" explores the guitarist's jaunty, slightly funky country style. Neither is essential, but both will be important finds for the Gallagher collector. Brother Donal's liner and track notes are short yet informative, and the sound is an enormous improvement over the original version. There is a remarkable clarity and fullness to the bass, along with a definition that exposes heretofore unheard instruments like the mandolin on "Brute Force..." and hand claps on "Cruise On Out," both previously buried in the mix. Not a great Rory Gallagher album, but a rock-solid one that won't disappoint established fans.
-- Hal Horowitz (AMG) 3/5 Stars --
Additional information
Photo-Finish was so titled because the album was delivered to Chrysalis Record Label at the eleventh hour, just (and only just) making the deadline. Rory reduced his band to a three piece removing the keyboards from the line-up and bringing in a new drummer. This album is unique for Rory in that it’s blues influences make way for a more hard rock sound. The fact that bands like the Scorpions were knocking around the studio at the same time perhaps could have a bearing on this. One outstanding track on this album is "Cruise On Out" with it’s Hard-Rock-Rockabilly rhythm section, written by Rory with Elvis in mind.
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Credits
Tony Arnold -- Mastering, Mixing, Remixing
Colin Fairley -- Mastering, Mixing, Remixing
Donald Gallagher -- Liner Notes
Rory Gallagher -- Audio Production, Composer, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Producer, Vocals
Gary Heery -- Cover Photo, Photography
Mark Jessett -- Art Direction
Gerry McAvoy -- Bass, Guitar (Bass)
Ted McKenna -- Drums
Alan O'Duffy -- Engineer, Producer Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
