Live In Ireland '74
(10/100 The People's Choice)

Actress Pauline McLynn talks about Rory Gallagher:
"I was lucky enough to see Rory Gallagher live when I was growing up in Galway. Visits by him, Thin Lizzy and Horslips kept us kids sane. I still enjoy the others – but Rory more than has the edge in my musical affections.

I was too young for Hendrix, and after hearing Gallagher was spoiled for Clapton (and all the better for that too). Rory is a genius. The opening of the live '74 tour album with Rory tuning his guitar, and on into the first chords of 'Cradle Rock', still sends shivers up and down my spine because I know the pleasure in store. It is music that will never date. The sheer virtuosity of the man and the joy of the live audiences are unparalleled in the history of Irish rock. This album has everything from blues to rock to acoustic and much more.

The band gel with a particular magic on 'Walk On Hot Coals', ten minutes of sheer glory that would convert even the worst sceptic. As the crowd sings ‘nice one Rory’ after 'Who’s That Coming?' you’re there in the thick of it with a maestro at the height of his powers. Forget all others, Rory is The Man.

zoso1985, hotpress.com:
"The live show is where Rory’s star shone brightest and Irish Tour is Rory at his most electrifing. My personal favourites are the riff-tastic ‘Cradle Rock’, the Hendrix-rivalling solos of ‘Walk On Hot Coals’, the bottleneck tour-de-force that is ‘Who’s That Coming’, and my all-time Rory Gallagher favourite, the Dobro acoustic blues of Tony Joe White’s ‘As The Crow Flies’. Rory made me pick up the guitar, and he will continue to inspire legions of fans and musicians for years to come."