“Rory” is one Rory Gallagher, onetime frontman with The Revs. They were much-loved homegrown favourites and a huge live draw for much of the last decade. The Donegal native now lives in Lanzarote and his first solo LP was recorded in various locations around the Spanish island, including the basement of his house.
It is certainly a sunny affair. The Beatles-esque (Abbey Road-era) title track is all midsummer psychedelic harmonies and ‘60s textures, while the dappled single ‘Colours’ blends Wings (think ‘Mamunia’ from Band On The Run) with Bill Withers. ‘The Battle To Stay Positive’ borrows the melody from Johnny McEvoy’s ‘60s ballad ‘Goodbye Mursheen Durkin’, adds a reggae rhythm and raises the tempo. There’s clearly a message in the latter song and title track, but this certainly not some cathartic exercise in letting off emotional steam.
Elsewhere, ‘Recall’ features dreamy, ethereal, Beach Boys harmonies while a ‘Jimmy Selling Watches’ tells the story of a local character. Gallagher takes a swipe at the social media phenomenon and Facebook “friends” who never let you down on the social commentary song, ‘Champagne Lifestyle On Coca Cola Wages’. ‘Sometime’ is the kind of intense acoustic ballad which will be familiar to fans of Elliot Smith. The album’s title track is reprised at the end, rounding off a compelling suite of songs.