Rory Gallagher - A Million Miles Away - First Listen/Reaction

[@robertrohde4579]

Rory Gallagher is one of the greatest guitarists of all-time!

[@garrymiller2362]

You need to do the live version off the Irish tour 74 album, it is Amazing!

[@SlumminAngel]

Rory didn't do drugs, he was vehemently opposed to them and operated a strict no-drugs policy within the band. I don't know which live performances you've watched but there are many excellent ones out there. Rory also played sax on this studio version, but I would recommend also listening to the live version from the Irish Tour '74 live album - you don't get the sax but it's a powerful performance which many consider to be the definitive version of this song. A few live videos I'd also recommend would be 'Bullfrog Blues' and 'All Around Man' - both from The Old Grey Whistle Test 1976 'Calling Card' - Hammersmith 1977 'Pistol Slapper Blues/Barley & Grape Rag' - Hammersmith 1977 (acoustic) 'Do You Read Me' - Rock Goes To College 1979 'I Wonder Who' - Belfast 1984 'Shadow Play' - Belfast 1984 P.S. Brian May talks about Rory Gallagher - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKmqZaCkopWVeLM

[@MusicWithToddLedbetter]

I didn't know he didn't do drugs. I'm not sure what I saw but my memory is most likely faulty on this one, it has been awhile. Thanks SlumminAngel for the heads up on this one. I will check out your recommendation. Todd

[@SlumminAngel]

@@MusicWithToddLedbetter 👍

[@evanhorning4801]

While at it Todd you should check out his song “shin kicker”. The live performance is legendary

[@claymor8241]

Not only that, he didn’t like his bandmates talking to women disrespectfully and when he was back home would go to Mass with his mother.

[@valeriebarr5729]

​@@claymor8241 True

[@patrickdixon9296]

Rory was a great live guitar player 🙂

[@sizzlemann]

Good selection. I enjoyed listening to the simplicity of the mix from that day and time. Today, everything is so right up front in your face it seems.

[@Crackity_Jones.]

Always great to see reactions to the great Rory Gallagher, even though I think the Irish Tour version is much better, as is most of his versions

[@dawnmoore4329]

So glad to see Nora Devin and SlumminAngel 's comments. If at any time you don't think Rory's guitar work is outstanding, Fil on his Wings of Pegasus channel gives a great technical analysis of Rory's technique on the song "Laundromat". Rory was such a natural that he made everything look easy, until you try to copy what he did. Slash, Brian May and Alex Lifeson are among his fans so that's saying a lot. His vocals fit his music, but could get rough during live performances since he was touring constantly and his sets were frequently 2-3 hours. Please check out more of Rory, including his amazing acoustic work. "Pistol Slapper Blues" and "Out on the Western Plain" were a standard part of his set for many years. Rory didn't need drugs-music WAS his drug.

[@1Moonchild]

SlumminAngel is correct about how Rory felt about recreational drug use and his live performances. Rory is especially known for his live performances- although there are some studio versions which I prefer. Rory was so engaged and kinetic on stage that he was often out of breath and it did affect his vocals at times, as well when he was very ill towards the end. But vocally he was unique and applied singing techniques that worked so beautifully with his music. At times he would scat sing or vocally harmonize with the notes he was playing. Stunning to hear. Rory was a natural, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist - he played electric & acoustic guitar (amazing picking & slide), harmonica, mandolin, electric sitar, alto sax and more. He passionately expressed himself through his music which embraced the blues (and he lived it), rock (and he rocked!), folk (with a Celtic touch), and a little bit of funk. I've seen most of the big name acts from that era and none of them come close to seeing Rory live. Seeing him was nothing short of transformational. If you want to get a good feel of Rory live I recommend 1984 Belfast: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poi9nZmsZtGters and Madrid 1975 (Walk on Hot Coals): kzbin.info/www/bejne/opeydpVohJh1f6c Anyway, thanks for the reaction and hope you keep on a Rory journey...

[@MusicWithToddLedbetter]

Thank you Nora, yore comment gives me new perspective. I will check out your recommendations. Todd

[@johnlannigan7453]

Correct mate

[@richardtorpey559]

Nice , the studio version . My fav Rory Song .

[@alseveron6558]

Nice video, man. I saw RG in concert twice: once in 1972 and once in 1980. Possibly one of the greatest blues/rock guitarist to ever come from the UK. When Jimi Hendrix was asked what it was like to be the world's greatest guitarist, he reportedly replied: "I don't know; ask Rory Gallagher!" (They both played at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, when Rory was with Taste.) He had a very strong cult following. He wrote some great songs, too (many of them commonly overlooked). I'm still in touch with his mixer man, who was raised in my own home town.

[@anthonymccarthy9756]

slumming angel is correct I lived a few houses away from rory and he felt that drugs ruined bands and did nothing for there playing

[@robertrohde4579]

Rory has many great live recordings that are available here on youtube! You must not have seen many of them!

[@MusicWithToddLedbetter]

Not yet! I need to hear more for sure. Thanks for being here Robert.

[@thor8580]

That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it I don’t necessarily agree with you, but that’s what makes the world go around. Cheers.

[@johnoconnell2446]

Rory wasn't into drink and drugs as he suffered with medical problems during his career, had a transplant but died two weeks later from complications.

[@BurmaShane]

Rory wasn't into drugs, but he drank, and drank too much later on. Along with prescription drugs. He had liver problems I believe and contracted mrsa in the hospital.

[@mikeross14]

Not one of his Rockers!His acoustic Blues were Incredible!

[@GeorgeWhelan-w1o]

Do you read me best live performance rory Gallagher, great show george dublin Ireland.

[@johnoconnell2446]

Pronounced GALLAHER in Ireland ❤

[@jasonlighton9636]

Bass line reminds me of Traffic.

[@gonzoradio247]

Gallagher was a monster on guitar. Btw Nice to see that I am not the only one who can't get rid of the Roland DS-90's.

[@MusicWithToddLedbetter]

Love the Roland DS-90's. Mine sound amazing!

[@liamhking5239]

You well wrong,plenty of crazy live realities

[@blueslady70]

Sorry, but you just don’t get it about Rory.

[@MusicWithToddLedbetter]

Not yet but I'm going to keep hitting it tell I do! Thank for being here, Todd

[@richardtorpey559]

Oh no , I posted that at the beginning of the video but Rory was even better live , not high ever , like to drink . Un matched energy level . Actually . Their some videos of him doing encores where he is wiped out after two hours but you have no idea what you are talking about . Couldn’t be more opposite .

[@MusicWithToddLedbetter]

It's a learning prosses. Thanks for hanging out, Todd

[@flamineamonn2967]

Don’t know what live recordings you’ve watched. Others have commented on the drugs issue. Music was his drug. Nothing more. There’s a ton of unbelievable live performances on KZbin. I suppose you’re into it or you’re not. Rory was at his best live. Sheer energy from the whole band, that were as tight an outfit as you’ll see. Rory made extremely difficult technique look effortless. The guy was a one off. Very much missed.

[@ColmSutton-we6yn]

Couldn't disagree more, he was a master of his craft.didnt sell over 30 million albums for nothing. His live performances are reveered acrross the world all u have to do is ask the famous guitarists he inspired, brian may, slash,eric clapton joe bonamassa etc.

[@MusicWithToddLedbetter]

Yes, I do believe you are correct. My first impression was not that good but I learn over time. Thanks for hanging out, Todd

[@Irish780]

Rory had alcohol problems but he was totally againsr drugs ....

[@jhngregor]

Just pretty good? Seemed like he had alcohol or drug problems? His live videos didn't sound that good? As Bugs says, "What a maroon!"