Rory Gallagher "Against The Grain" 1975***

If this album is often overlooked it's probably because it was recorded between my (and, I suspect, everyone's) favourite Gallagher albums, "Tattoo" and "Calling Card". A bit like the shortest guy in a basketball team who doesn't look all that short when you meet him on the street, "Against the Grain" is actually a very good, well produced, blues rock album. The band's playing is impressive, there's a nice variation in tempos and styles and there aren't any weak songs - but neither are there any real classics. "Let Me In" opens the album with some hard rock riffing, while "Cross Me Off Your List" is more jazzy with playful guitar solos. Rory displays his softer side in the, relatively more commercial, ballad "Ain't Too Good" before embarking on a slide guitar extravaganza on "Souped-Up Ford". Lou Martin provides some nimble accompaniment - his piano is generally very upfront and his interaction with Rory's guitar provides some of the album's highlights. "I Take What I Want" is a lively soul cover (from Sam and Dave) that evolved into a live favourite, while "Lost at Sea" strays from the blues into almost prog territory. It's followed by the most typical blues here "All Around Man" and another cover, Leadbelly's "Out On The Western Plain".  The latter is, surprisingly as it's a stark country-tinged number, the record's highlight with Gallagher playing acoustic with aplomb and sounding delighted to delve into the Wild West mythology. The original LP used to close with "At The Bottom", a very well-written and played Southern rocker but this reissue adds two nice bonus tracks: short blues instrumental "Cluney Blues" and jaunty boogie "My Baby, Sure". Confusingly, each CD version has a different cover, all featuring a photo of Rory's beat-up old Sratocaster (this one is from the 2011 U.S. edition). Definitely an enjoyable album, so just crank it up and get your air guitar ready...

***** for Out on the Western Plain

**** for Let Me In, Cross Me Off Your List, Ain't Too Good, At the Bottom

*** for Souped-Up Ford, Bought and Sold, I Take What I Want, Lost at Sea, All Around Man, Cluney Blues, My Baby Sure