Rory Gallagher – Calling Card

224

5 Stars

*Calling Card album artwork. Says it all.*

Audio CD (paid link)

Calling Card was Rory Gallagher’s sixth studio album, his fourth with Lou Martin on keyboards, Rod de’Ath on drums, plus the ever-faithful Gerry McAvoy on bass guitar. This unit had been touring together constantly for six years and they were as tight as the Irish Rugby Union’s front row. However, Rory Gallagher, always a man searching for change, after this album dispensed with keyboards altogether and replaced Rod de’Ath with the more straight-ahead Ted McKenna on drums.

*Rory Gallagher in full cry with his famous battered Strat.*

Also, during these sessions, Rory Gallagher brought in Roger Glover of Deep Purple fame to co-produce. Roger Glover certainly gave the album great clarification, possibly adding to its commercial appeal, making Calling Card Rory Gallagher’s most successful solo studio album, reaching Number 32 on the British Charts. Rory Gallagher was a world-renowned artist, well respected amongst his peers and fans, and although his live albums always roared up the charts, sadly he had far less success with his studio work.

Which is a crying shame as this album is truly monumental.

Perhaps not faring quite so well because 1976 was a golden age of rock music. Kids only had so many pennies in their pockets to buy albums by their favorite artists. It certainly did not affect concert sales, as every Rory Gallagher concert was always well attended.

*Road Warriors: The Rory Gallagher Band.*

The songs on this album are brilliant, inspired with a rockin edge, with many going on to be concert favorites. ‘Secret Agent’ was often a standout with its in-your-face all-out rocker approach. ‘Do You Read Me’ is a wonderful opener to the album with some signature Rory Gallagher guitar leading the rest of the band in.

*Rory Gallagher’s joy of playing could always be plainly seen on his face.*

Calling Card is far from just a collection of hard rock songs. There are plenty of changes of pace, room for Rory Gallagher’s acoustic guitar work, and often allowing Lou Martin to break out soloing on the piano. The title track has some beautiful jazz infections with great interplay between piano and guitar. Very smoky.

‘Edged in Blue’ is what it says on the label. ‘Rue the Day’ is an excellent piece of flat-out boogie.

All in all, rightly acclaimed as Rory Gallagher’s best studio work and a fine place to start for the uninitiated.

Rory Gallagher was taken from us in 1995 at the age of 47, but while he was with us, his star shone very brightly. One of the nicest men to ever pick up a guitar.