Joe Bonamassa – The Spirit Of Rory – Live From Cork
Joe Bonamassa – The Spirit Of Rory – Live From Cork
Format: CD / DVD, CD / Blu-ray & Double 180 Gram Red Marble Vinyl
Label: J&R Adventures
Release: 2026
Text: Martien Koolen
Rory Gallagher has always been one of my favourite blues rock guitarists, especially Rory’s live performances were second to none. Take for example Gallagher’s notorious live albums like: Live in Europe (1972), Irish Tour’74 (1974) or Stage Struck (1980), where you can marvel at his astonishing and brilliant guitar playing.
Now, another guitar virtuoso, being Joe Bonamassa, releases a live album, recorded in Cork (Ireland), called The Spirit of Rory, and it is of course a tribute to this legendary Irish guitar player. The Spirit of Rory features fourteen fantastic Gallager tracks and the guitar playing of mister Bonamassa is of course flawless, although his playing sounds a little bit too “decent”, as Gallagher’s guitar playing, especially in the flesh, was raw and furious. Bonamassa’s vocal performance is excellent, but of course Gallagher’s very recognisable throat cannot be matched.
My favourite songs on this excellent blues rock album are: I Wonder Who (also a highlight on Rory’s album Irish Tour’74), Who’s That Coming? (from the Tattoo album (1973), Bullfrog Blues (from the Live in Europe album), I Fall Apart and A Million Miles Away.
Conclusion: The Spirit of Rory is a MUST have album for fans of Rory Gallagher, Joe Bonamassa and fans of brilliantly played blues rock guitar music. Bring out your air guitar and play along to the wonderful legacy of mister Rory Gallagher, a true guitar legend indeed!!
Listening tip: A Million Miles Away.
CD Tracks:
01. Cradle Rock (Live)
02. Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
03. Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
04. I Wonder Who (Live)
05. Calling Card (Live)
06. Who’s That Coming? (Live)
07. Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
08. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
9. Treat Her Right (Live)
10. Bad Penny (Live)
11. I Fall Apart (Live)
12. A Million Miles Away (Live)
13. As The Crow Flies (Live)
14. Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
DVD / Blu-ray:
01. The Spirit Of Rory (Opening Scene)
02. Cradle Rock
03. Walk On Hot Coals
04. Tattoo’d Lady
05. I Wonder Who
06. Calling Card
07. Who’s That Coming?
08. Messin’ With The Kid
09. Band Introductions
10. Bullfrog Blues
11. Treat Her Right
12. Bad Penny
13. I Fall Apart
14. A Million Miles Away
15. As The Crow Flies
16. Back On My Stompin’ Ground
17. Ballycotton (End Credits)
DVD / Blu-ray Bonus Features:
● Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away
● Rory’s Acoustic Guitar
● The Inspiration of Rory (A Conversation with Brian May & Slash)
Website:https://jbonamassa.com/