Kudos to Eagle Rock for keeping the music of Rory Gallagher alive these days. With some stellar recent archival live releases and now Crest of a Wave-The Best of Rory Gallagher, the late guitar legend's music is available to the public, ready to be enjoyed for many years to come (and most of his back catalog has also been recently reissued as well). Though some may argue that there's already too many Rory Gallagher compilations out on the market (Th Essential Rory Gallagher and Big Guns are both solid collections, the latter even including some of his material with Taste), this is really focused on the best of his stellar solo studio output, with a slighter emphasis on the more hard rocking material.
Classic tracks such as "Moonchild", "Tattoo'd Lady", "Follow Me", "A Million Miles Away" and of course the showstopper "Shadow Play" are all here, combining hard rock energy with the passion and soul of the blues. Gallagher's searing guitar licks and smoky vocals are the star of the show all the way, but he never overplays, always letting the songs speak for themselves. Funky blues rocker "Walk on Hot Coals" features some hot piano and crisp guitar work, and "Shinkicker" is just a flat out fun party shuffle. Rory's slide work was also quite underrated-simply listen to him shred on the ass-kicking title track, as he easily gives Johnny Winter or Duane Allman a run for their money. He even moves into more psychedelic waters normally tread by Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, or Frank Marino on the song "Bad Penny", a real stirring number with plenty of searing guitar solos. Earlier I mentioned that this collection features quite a few of his hard rock gems-check out "Philby", "Overnight Bag", and "Calling Card", each one chock full of energetic rhythms and chunky riffs, but fans of his acoustic blues fare should look to the back end of this set, where tunes like "Lonesome Highway", "Barley & Grape Rag", and "Out on the Western Plain" are hidden.
The sound on this collection is top notch, and there is a nice booklet included with plenty of photos and some essays. Though there's much to choose from if you are new to the world of the late Irish guitar legend Rory Gallagher, this is a great first step to begin exploring his musical output. If you like what you hear on this set, then check out his Irish Tour 1974, Live in London, and Live at Montreux live albums to really experience what he was all about. Then, be prepared to dip into the studio catalog for a more in-depth look at this greatly missed rock musician.
Track Listing
Disc: 1
1. Follow Me
2. Shinkicker
3. Do You Read Me
4. Bought & Sold
5. Loanshark Blues
6. In Your Town
7. Calling Card
8. Million Miles Away
9. Walk on Hot Coals
10. I Fall Apart
11. Tattoo'd Lady
12. Crest of a Wave
Disc: 2
1. Bad Penny
2. Overnight Bag
3. Philby
4. Shadow Play
5. Moonchild
6. They Don't Make Them Like You Anymore
7. Edged in Blue
8. Wheels Within Wheels
9. Out on the Western Plain
10. Out of My Mind
11. Barley and Grape Rag
12. Lonesome Highway
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