By David O’Neill
Taking on Rory Gallagher is a bold move. Taking him on head-first, with the weight of expectation from die-hard blues fans hanging in the air, is something else entirely. Joe Bonamassa doesn’t just step into that arena – he owns it, even if he never quite tries to become the man himself.
Bonamassa writes in a personal foreword accompanying the release, “from my first time hearing ‘Irish Tour ’74’ I was captivated by the sheer intensity of the man and the ferocity of his approach to the electric blues”.
Recorded with the Gallagher family’s blessing in a series of sold out shows from Gallagher’s home town, Cork, from the outset, this is Bonamassa playing to his strengths. The tone is huge, the delivery confident, and the performances carry a sense of purpose rather than imitation.
‘Cradle Rock’ hits with authority but is much smoother than the edgy Gallagher versions, while ‘Tattoo’d Lady’ struts with a swagger that feels earned. This is obviously not a carbon copy—it’s a reframe, a homage, built for bigger stages and modern ears and smoother amplification, as the title states ‘Spirit of Rory’.
And that’s where the album finds its identity. Gallagher’s magic lived in chaos, in the sense that everything might fall apart at any second. Bonamassa, by contrast, is always in complete control—but instead of that being a weakness, it becomes the point. He doesn’t chase the danger; he replaces it with precision and power, subtlety and warmth, offering a different but equally valid take on the material.
Vocally, the contrast is even sharper. Bonamassa lacks Gallagher’s rough-edged urgency, but what he brings instead is clarity and phrasing that reshape these songs without stripping them of their core. It’s less barroom grit, more spotlight presence – and for the most part, it works.
The real triumph, though, is in the playing. Bonamassa doesn’t just revisit these tracks – he engages with them. When he stretches out and lets the guitar speak, there are moments that genuinely lift the record beyond tribute into something closer to conversation. It’s in those flashes that you hear not just respect, but evolution.
Yes, the production is slick. Yes, it smooths out some of the danger that defined Gallagher’s sound. But it also gives these songs a renewed punch and accessibility that ensures they’re not just preserved—they’re propelled forward.
This was never going to be Rory Gallagher reborn. Instead, it’s something arguably more interesting: Joe Bonamassa standing shoulder to shoulder with a legend, tipping his hat, and then playing the hell out of the songs in his own voice.
If you still buy/play DVDs then this version includes Brian May and Slash in conversation.
Not untouchable. Not definitive. But absolutely worth your time.
- ‘The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork‘ is out now.