Rory Gallagher - Top Priority [Germany Bonus Tracks]
Rory Gallagher's fourth and final studio set for Chrysalis finds the
Irish blues-rocker in prime form. Arriving only a year after
Photo-Finish, when he spent much of his time on the road, it's
remarkable that Gallagher could continue to churn out the hook-heavy,
high-quality tunes he wrote for this album. Playing larger arenas
toughened his songs and attack, almost all of which here are
high-octane, sweaty rockers. While that makes for some thrilling,
intense music, the nonstop vibrant energy rush is never balanced out
with a ballad or even the rootsy, swampy blues that Gallagher always
performed with such authority. So even though the opening charging riff
of "Follow Me," the slower, urging groove of "Keychain," and the
melodic, relatively subtle hard rock of "Bad Penny" were notable
inclusions to the Gallagher catalog and his concerts, the lack of
acoustic tunes or less aggressive music gives the album a one-note
feel. This isn't helped by the two additional tracks added for the '99
reissue, both of which stay locked in the same basic hard-edged format.
That said, Gallagher and his backing duo are in top form, churning
through the songs with remarkably crisp energy. Gallagher is starting
to shout more than sing, but his voice was still powerfully expressive,
and when he gets excited on the double-time, cranked up "Just Hit Town"
as he overdubs his patented guitar lines, the blues-rocker's guttural
screams make it sound like he's on fire. Gallagher also blows some
snarling, overdriven harp for the first time in a while on "Off the
Handle," one of the album's moodier tracks, and sounds enthusiastic
throughout. Except for the lack of diversity, this remains a strong set
from the Irishman, and is highly recommended, especially to his less
blues-oriented fans. [BMG International re-released Top Priority in
2005 with German-only bonus material.] ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
1. Follow Me
2. Philby
3. Wayward Child
4. Keychain
5. At the Depot
6. Bad Penny
7. Just Hit Town
8. Off the Handle
9. Public Enemy No. 1
10. Hell Cat [*]
11. The The Watcher [*]
* tracks 10,11 excl. to the German 2005 release
@320kbps
http://rapidshare.com/files/51545328/Top_Priority.part1.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/51552291/Top_Priority.part2.rar