Rory Gallagher – Blueprint (1973) 24-bit 96kHZ vinyl rip and redbook

In mid 72, bassist Gerry McAvoy's flat-mate, drummer Rod deAth, deputised for the late Wilgar Campbell and following Wilgar's ultimate departure Rod became a permanent replacement. After six years of working with the trio format, Rory looked to embellish his sound by introducing keyboards into the line-up.

Rod who had been a member of blues band Killing Floor', recommended to Rory their piano player Lou' Martin - who ironically hailed from Belfast. The line-up clicked and remained together for some five years this recording being the blueprint.

Originally released in early 73, the cover features the circuit board of a Stramp 'power-baby' amplifier which was custom designed for Rory in Hamburg. It was specifically designed to be compact enough to fit into the small luggage compartment of a VW "beetle" car a particular Rory favourite.

Opening with Walk On Hot Coals which went on to became a Gallagher classic, allowed the musicians to really stretch out, particularly the ambidextrous Rod who wove drum patterns for Rory to overlay his blistering guitar work.

Daughter Of The Everglades was inspired by a book that Rory had been reading and is amongst the more melodic compositions of his repertoire and highlights Lou's contribution to the band. Banker's Blues: over a barrelhouse style piano, Rory switches to acoustic twelve string guitar and rack mounted harmonica and demonstrates his ability to put a fresh-coat on a Big Bill Broonzy number. The opening "rocker-style" finger-clicking sets the tone for the demanding Hands Off. Buoyed by his own saxophone section, this shows Rory at his menacing best. Like many writers, Rory drew inspiration from old trains, and his slick playing on Race The Breeze gives a sense of friction-free rolling freight. When asking hfc promoters what their next venture might Ire after his Irish tour, Rory was bemused to find that the promoter had booked the faith healer Finbar Nolan. Blues music being rich with lyrics of various supernatural powers inspired Rory to write Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son.

Unmilitary Two-Step : a brilliant, whimsical acoustic instrumental which is set to a Scott Joplin type tempo and is full of musical humour. If I Had A Reason: a soul-searching song with a waltz time country feel, features Rory on lap steel guitar and Lou on honky tonk piano. -phrock blog

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Analyzed folder: /rory_blueprint
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DR Peak RMS Filename
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DR12 -7.61 dB -20.94 dB A1 Walk On Hot Coals.wav
DR13 -6.70 dB -21.86 dB A2 Daughter Of The Everglades.wav
DR14 -8.06 dB -25.16 dB A3 Banker's Blues.wav
DR11 -9.14 dB -22.44 dB A4 Hands Off.wav
DR12 -8.21 dB -21.86 dB B1 Race The Breeze.wav
DR12 -9.45 dB -22.79 dB B2 The Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son.wav
DR13 -11.13 dB -26.19 dB B3 Unmilitary Two-Step.wav
DR12 -8.74 dB -23.29 dB B4 If I Had A Reason.wav
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Number of files: 8
Official DR value: DR12
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