RORY GALLAGHER "CALLING CARD"

Artist: Rory Gallagher
Album: Calling Card
Company: Chrysalis
Catalog: CHR 1124
Year: 1974
Genre: blues-rock
Grade: **** (4 stars)
Condition: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Comments: --
Quantity available: 1
Price: $15,00

Rory Gallagher's second album for Chrysalis and you got the feeling the label was beginning to bring pressure of the man to add a certain degree of commercialism to his sound.       

Released in 1976, "Calling Card" was co-produced by Deep Purple's Roger Glover and Gallagher; marking the only time Gallagher came close to working with a mainstream producer.  The pair had met when Gallagher opened for Deep Purple on some  American  tour dates.  Against that backdrop, the result was one of Gallagher's most diversified, yet engaging albums.   The voice and blazing guitar remained instantly recognizable, but exemplified by 'Moonchild' and 'Secret Agent', Glover seemingly managed to push Gallagher to at least play with a more rock oriented sound.  'I'll Admit You're Gone' was a lovely acoustic ballad - one of the prettiest things he'd ever written.  Elsewhere, 'Jackknife Beat ' was  one of the album highlights, showing Gallagher's ability to blend multiple genres into a sum-is-more-than-the parts masterpiece.   Not to make it sound like this was a sellout collection, as blues remained Gallagher's prime forte - 'Do You Read Me', 'Country Mile', and the title track.   I can see where some of Gallagher's hardcore blues fans may have been put off, but song-for-song this was his most accessible and enjoyable collection and serves as a great place for a casual fan, or a curious newbie to start checking out Gallagher's catalog,

"Calling Card" track listing:
(side 1)        

1.) Do You Read Me   (Rory Gallagher) - 5:20

Anyone who thought Gallagher was simply too hardcore bluesy will want to check out the leadoff 'Do You Read Me'.   Yeah, it was bluesy, but in a highly commercial, almost hard-rock fashion.  Sure,  Lou martin's synthesizer touches sounded a bit dated, but this tune simply rocked like there was no tomorrow.   Chrysalis should have tapped it as a single.  YouTube has a number of live performances of the song.  Probably the best of the lot is this 1979 version from the BBC program "Rock Goes To College": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ClvqM6dj7M     rating: **** stars    
2.) Country Mile   (Rory Gallagher) - 3:18    
Not nearly as commercial as the opener, but a bruising performance that showcased his killer slide work and the song's enthusiasm was winning.  Once again, YouTube has a wealth of live Gallagher material, including several versions of 'Country Mile'.   Here's a link to a 1976 live performance for the German RockPalast television show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52yQ7OFDSYQ  rating: **** stars    
3.) Moonchild   (Rory Gallagher) - 4:48    
As mentioned, the album was co--produced by Deep Purple's Roger Glover.  While Glover's impact was limited, the blazing rocker was one of the exceptions.   Close your eyes and it wasn't hard to imagine this one being in the Deep Purple's mid-'70s performance list.  Yeah, blues purists were probably appalled by the tune's blatant commercialism, but I've got to tell you I loved it.   here's s a toughened-up, live version of the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyHymAxUVrc   The song was actually tapped as a single for the Dutch and German markets:

rating: **** stars    
4.) Calling Card   (Rory Gallagher) - 5:24    
The bouncy title track was blues for folks who didn't really like the blues.  Nice example of Gallagher's ability to meld blues and jazzy moves.  Always liked Gerry McAvoy's bass pattern on this one.  Here's a live performance from a 1976 performance on the German Rockpalast show:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctm7bdg-eqY     rating: **** stars    
5.) I'll Admit You're Gone   (Rory Gallagher) - 4:25    
Beautiful acoustic ballad with some stunning dobro working.   rating: **** stars
     
(side 2)
1.) Secret Agent   (Rory Gallagher) - 5:45
Another stab into rock territory.   Killer tune that again reminds me a bit of mid-'70s ear Deep Purple.   Wonder what Purple would have sounded like had they recruited Gallagher, rather than Tommy Bolan.  Another Rockpalast performance that's worth checking out just to see and hear some of his blazing slide moves:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xomS2NqHmME    ...   rating: **** stars
2.) Jackknife Beat   (Rory Gallagher) - 7:04
And then you get to 'Jackknife Beat'.   Showcasing a melody that was equally funky (there was almost a disco feel to the opening), slinky, jazzy, and bluesy, the tune showcased Gallagher's mesmerizing slide work and bassist Gerry McAvoy's wonderful moves.   Another album highlight and one of those songs you wish was even longer.  Speaking of which, there's an extended Rockpalast performance on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8oW0ZFaQxc    rating; **** stars
3.) Edged In Blue   (Rory Gallagher) - 5:31
Another stunningly pretty tune that displayed that special tone that seemingly only Gallagher could get out of a Strat.   Chrysalis executives apparently wanted to release the tune as a single, only to have Gallagher refuse.  rating; **** stars
4.) Barley and Grape Rag   (Rory Gallagher) - 3:39
Raw country blues ...  I'm just not a fan of the genre so this one doesn't do much for me.   rating: ** stars

 

 

After a supporting tour Gallagher fired drummer Rod de'Ath and keyboardist Lou Marti