Rory Gallagher: Shadow Play (3 Discs)

Intro:
One of the finest guitarists of his generation, and the man to whom Eric Clapton credits his rediscovery of the blues, Rory Gallagher was one of a kind. Equally adept playing acoustic or electric guitar - even slide guitar and banjo! - the Irishman was also a prolific songwriter and live musician, taking his blues-rock attack all across the world, gaining new fans consistently along the way.

"Shadow Play" is a three-DVD set capturing Gallagher's performances for the German television show "Rockpalast", which has hosted some of the biggest names in music since its 1974 inception. Here are concerts from the WDR Studio L in Cologne (1976), the Grugahalle in Essen (1977), Wiesbaden (1979), Loreley (1982), and Cologne (1990).

Video:
Video is presented in 4:3 fullscreen PAL, and is good considering the limitations of the original WDR TV recordings. In short, the recordings look their age.

All of the concerts, 1976 right through to 1990, have much the same appearance, with very little in the way of production frills. But the recordings themselves have survived quite well indeed, with only minor tape errors and microphony throughout.

The transfer to DVD is itself clean, with no noticeable digital artefacts present.




Audio:
Audio here presents us with two choices in both Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1. But there is not one steady, must-listen pick through this near 10-hour collection, as each individual concert has one mix that is better than the other.

The audio from the Cologne 1976 gig is a triumph considering it is over 30 years in age, especially when it comes to the acoustic set that Gallagher begins with. Here, it is the 2.0 mix that contains the fuller sound, which a much bigger bass emphasis from long-time band member Gerry McAvoy. The 5.1 has somewhat of an echo-like effect, which some may feel is a better representation of how things can sound in an arena, but the clearer 2.0 wins out for me.

The same scenario is true on both the Essen 1977 and the Wiesbaden 1979 gig that appears on Disc Two. Shockingly, on the former the lead guitar appears buried in the mix on the 5.1, which thankfully does not occur on the 2.0 selection.

The Loreley 1982 gig, and the Wiesbaden 1979 show found on Disc Three, both have 5.1 mixes were McAvoy's bass guitar is much too prominent, dominating the lead guitar all too often. It's a little better with some adjustment to your surround system, but it should sound natural without having to do this. In terms of that natural sound, the 2.0 is again a winner.

Strangely, the 5.1 mix from the Loreley 1982 jam session has a much improved 5.1 mix, especially in comparison to what is a very weak sounding 2.0 mix. All around, it's a much fuller sound. This is also the case with the last concert on offer here, from Cologne 1990. On that, the clean drum sound is also very noticeable.




Extras:
Just one extra here, an interview recorded after the Cologne 1976 gig. Tired after the show, Gallagher seems a little exasperated by the interviewers often-moronic questioning, but he manages to put on a brave face in any case.




Overall:
For several years, the work of Rory Gallagher had really passed me by. I "knew" him to be an excellent blues guitarist, but the blues, with its oft-repetitive nature, isn't really my cup of tea.

My opinion was quickly changed when I heard Gallagher's 1979 album, "Top Priority". Loaded with rock riffs and what seemed to be an effortless style of playing, my attention was immediately grabbed by the likes of "Philby", "Wayward Child", and "Bad Penny". I went on a major Rory Gallagher kick, and collected virtually his entire back catalogue within the space of a few months. Never, was I disappointed.

"There was just nothing like seeing Rory Gallagher play live," tribute frontman Barry Barnes later told me. And, while I will never have the pleasure of being in an audience in front of him, "Shadow Play" is a clear indication that the Irishman was indeed a master performer. His modesty may not have allowed him to believe it, but there were few other artists capable of matching him on stage.

This beautifully-packaged DVD collection begins in 1976 with what is almost a folk set, especially in the tracks "Pistol Slapper Blues" and "Going To My Hometown", the latter a fantastic banjo tune which also contains an inspired piano solo. The crowd's involvement in this less raucous music is wonderful to witness, and they are equally a-tune to the electric tracks, such as "Secret Agent" and "Bought and Sold". There's even room for a little funk in there, with the groovy "Jacknife Beat".

The 1977 gig from Essen begins on electric guitar, but there was always room in the set for the acoustic "Out On The Western Plain". The track appears no less than five times on this set, and at no stage is it not welcome. In any case, this gig shows the band in a more free-form manner, which lots of extended jamming and guitar soloing, the latter particularly notable on the sensational "Tattoo'd Lady".

A quite brilliant jam session with Scottish singer Frankie Miller opens up Disc Two here, before we jump to 1982, for what is perhaps the hardest-rocking of all the shows contained here. Much of that is down to the material played, taken largely from the "Top Priority", "Photo Finish", and "Jinx" albums. There are too many tracks to single out here, but "Wayward Child", "Big Guns", "Bad Penny", "Bourbon", and "Brute Force And Ignorance" are just sensational here, and are unquestionably required viewing for anyone with even a mild interest in rock music. The return to the stage for another jam session is a good one too, as Rory surrounds himself singer Eric Burdon, guitarist David Lindley, drummer Ian Wallace, and members of the German band Bap.

We move back to the Wiesbaden 1979 show to open up Disc Three (I can only imagine that this was placed out of order so that as much material as possible could be placed on three discs), which sees the only appearance of one of Gallagher's greatest tracks "A Million Miles Away". Unfortunately, it doesn't quite live up to the remarkable rendition on the "Irish Tour '74" album, but there's still plenty to enjoy here, particularly in the actual "Shadow Play" track, and the version of "Shin Kicker", which opens up the show.

The final gig of the five is Cologne 1990, which sees a visibly-older Gallagher continue to play with the verve that he had on his initial Rockpalast appearance, fourteen years previously. The highlight of this set is the presence of former Cream bassist/singer Jack Bruce, and the crowd seem to get a real kick out of seeing Gallagher perform Cream numbers, including the instantly-recognisable "Politician" and "Born Under A Bad Sign".




Overall, while the ninety tracks available here should be more than enough to satisfy any blues/rock music fan for what is only £20 RRP, this "Shadow Play" set is about more than just quantity. It has taken many years for Gallagher's concert performances to be available on DVD, and here, in one set, we are presented with five classic concerts, which would undoubtedly been worth picking up on their own.

The quality of music is stunning, and unlike the output of any artist today. America's Joe Bonamassa is a tremendous guitar player, and is of the same blues-rock ilk, but he has nowhere near the astonishing catalogue of the Ballyshannon legend.

For Rory Gallagher fans, "Shadow Play" is a dream come true. For those whose interest this review has piqued, take a chance on one of the greatest musicians of the last 30 years.

In truth, it isn't really a chance, at all.