Rory Gallagher - Live in Europe (Original recording 1972)

Live in Europe is considered by many critics to be a landmark live recording, as it carefully blends the musicians with the crowd to create a gig-like atmosphere so craved by those who enjoy or produce live albums. Gallagher always insisted that his studio albums failed to capture the raw energy of his live acts and as a result released a number of live albums, many of which contain what are considered the “definitive versions” of some of his better known songs. Bob Dylan requested to record the song Going to my hometown that features on this album with Gallagher, but this recording never happened. Live In Europe broke into the Top 10 of the UK albums chart, consolidating the success of his first two studio offerings. Rory's high-octane blues-rock was well suited for the stage, a fact to which anyone who saw him in concert or has heard this or other live albums like Irish Tour '74 and Stage Struck can attest. The set kicks off with two rockers, Junior Wells' "Messin' With the Kid" and the original "Laundromat," before Gallagher slows down for "I Could've Had Religion" and Blind Boy Fuller's "Pistol Slapper Blues." The pace quickens for "Going to My Home Town," a showcase for some fierce acoustic guitar playing with enthusiastic audience participation, and the rocking boogie of "In Your Town." "Bullfrog Blues" provides the finale during which the other two thirds of the power trio--bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Wilgar Campbell get to solo for the appreciative crowd.
Live In Europe became Rory's first gold album, and his second chart album success in the States.

Track listing:
1. "Messin' With the Kid" (London) (6:25)
2. "Laundromat" (Gallagher) (5:12)
3. "I Could've Had Religion" (Trad. Arr. Gallagher) (8:35)
4. "Pistol Slapper Blues" (Blind Boy Fuller) (2:54)
5. "Going to My Hometown" (Gallagher) (5:46)
6. "In Your Town" (Gallagher) (10:03)
7. "Bullfrog Blues" (Trad. Arr. Gallagher) (6:47)