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An essential album to fully understand Rory Gallagher's musical style is undoubtedly this "Blueprint" released in early 1973, which indeed represents one of the so-called must-have albums of the ingenious Irish artist.
Its genesis is, however, somewhat peculiar: after the success of "Live! In Europe" in 1972, the band around Rory underwent a transformation, as Wilgar Campbell's place on drums was taken by the ambidextrous Rod de'Ath, and Lou Martin from Belfast, a bandmate of de'Ath from their "Killing Floor" days, a small Rock/Blues band they both initially played in, was added to keyboards.
The direct consequence of this little revolution within the "Rory Gallagher Band" is especially felt on a stylistic level, as the already powerful and recognizable sound of Rory is enriched with new elements, extending towards other musical styles, as we will see shortly.
The debut is a memorable one, entrusted to the beautiful "Walk On The Hot Coals," which already demonstrates this substantial change: Rory's always impeccable guitar wails and improvises, standing out against an enveloping sonic backdrop represented not only by the high-level McAvoy-de'Ath rhythm section but also by Martin's keyboards, which lend the piece an unprecedented yet absolutely original funky imprint.
"Daughter Of The Everglades" is an imaginative ballad that magically evokes even medieval-style atmospheres, thanks especially to Rory's always excellent work on (acoustic and electric) guitars.
With "Banker's Blues," however, we return to the more classic Blues, inspired by the figure of bluesman "Big" Bill Bronzy, where both Rory and Martin equally share the (beautiful) solo parts.
"Hands Off" is a Rock/Blues piece of great impact and power, where the usual Irishman's "slide guitar" is very much present, as is the case with the equally beautiful "Race The Breeze," where the rhythm seems to emulate that of the always fascinating steam locomotives, to which it seems the genius from Ballyshannon was inspired in creating such a brilliant piece.
With "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son," we even venture into almost psychedelic territories in the style of The Doors, as evident from the initial intro that almost seems to reference a "The End" track, for a total of almost 8 and a half minutes where Martin unfurls another excellent keyboard performance and Rory caps it off with a sharp solo about halfway through the song.
The instrumental "Unmilitary Two-Step" shows, conversely, Rory's Folk/Rock side, where for about 2 and a half minutes he entertains the listener with this acoustic song that, through some arpeggios, might even remind one of some acoustic pieces by Led Zeppelin, especially "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp," if you listen closely to some passages of it.
The finale is one marked by a very dreamy Country style and is represented by the magnetic "If I Had A Reason," which perfectly closes another album that every true Rock lover should have in their collection, especially to understand the greatness of the late Rory Gallagher.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Walk on Hot Coals (07:03)
Well I lost my shirt at a card game in which I never had a chance
Well I lost my shirt at a card game in which I never had a chance
The deck was marked, the game was rigged,
You could not tell at a glance.
Well, Lost my job on the weekend and I was back out on the street
Well, I lost my job on the weekend and I was back out on the streets
No way to get a dollar, but I spent it at the roulette wheel
Well I walk on hot coals, sleep on a bed of nails
Walk on thin ice, skate on razor blades
Got my little girl beside me no matter what else fails.
Well I spent it all down at the race track
All the way my horsre led the field
Well I spent it all down at the race track
All the way my horse led the field
But it was a hoax, the mare was doped,
a length to win she fell down on her knees
Gonna throw away my lucky penny, rabbit's foot and gypsy ring
Gonna throw away my lucky penny, rabbit's foot and gypsy ring
not gonna gamble on my baby,
on this loosing streak I might not win
Well I walk on hot coals, sleep on a bed of nails
Walk on thin ice, skate on razor blades
Got my little girl beside me no matter what else fails
Well I walk on hot coals, sleep on a bed of nails
Walk on thin ice, skate on razor blades
Got my little girl beside me no matter what else fails
02 Daughter of the Everglades (06:13)
Were you were raised by the river
Down in the low, low land
Where the air is dark and sinister
In the night there's no safe place to stand
In the reeds there are eyes that peek
Voices I can't understand
Flamingos flying endlessly
Into the silent sky
Daughter of the everglades
You never made it clear
Child of the river
If you wanted to be here
Daughter of the everglades
I never saw your tears
Well you looked like your mama
Before you walked, you swam
Learned to make that snake tail stew
From your daddy
Crazy talking fisherman
In this place there is no law
The river makes all the rules
What they are, I found out
When I came to look for you
Daughter of the everglades
Why did you bring me here?
Daughter of the everglades
My love has turned to fear
Daughter of the everglades
Let me feel you near
Well you laughed in the city
But I knew after a year
That you'd cry in the city
I should not have brought you here
So far from the bayou
Down in the low, low land
Don't know why you left me
But now I think I understand
04 Hands Off (04:31)
Anyone can tell you, lies like one and one is two,
And then call 'round and tell that I'm not right for you.
Hands off, . You're gonna hear me saying,
Hands off, . Things sure need some changing,
Hands off, . We'd all be much better of then.
Anyone can tell you, lies like one and two is three,
And then call 'round and tell that you were'nt made for me.
Hands off, . Do you need persuading?
Hands off, . I've had enough interrogation,
Hands off, . Do you hear what I say?
Hands off, . Now do you need persuading?
Hands off, . I've had enough interrogation.
Hands off, . Do you hear what I say?
Yeah...
You know that I'm a peaceful man, now as a general rule,
That's the way I'd like to keep it, if I had to choose.
Hands off, . Now here's the situation,
Hands off, . My girl needs consideration,
Hands off, . Did you hear what I say?
There's people letter-writing until the ink turns green,
Trying to ruin my reputation, sell it to a magazine.
Hands off, . Now here's the situation,
Hands off, . My girl needs consideration,
Hands off, . We'd all be better off then.
Hands off, . Now here's the situation,
Hands off, . My girl needs consideration,
Hands off, . Did you hear what I say?
Hands off, . Now here's the situation,
Hands off, . Needs some consideration,
Hands off, . Did you hear what I say?
Hands off,.... Off..hey..
Hands off, . Now here's the situation,
Hands off, . Did you hear what I say.
05 Race the Breeze (06:54)
Well that sounds like the night train, blowin' its stack
Spreading its wings on homeward track
Arrived here this morning, won't be here for long
As fast as a shooting star, that's' what them eight wheels are for
Come on baby lets jump aboard
It's a mean piece of transport baby
You know that's no joke
On board the aging gamble smiles as he peels
The seal off a new deck, then he quietly deals
Hands round the table from the bottom he slips three
Watch yourself if you play this game the fastest card game on wheels
Come on, won't you be there when it leaves
Can't you hear them talkin' about it together we could race the breeze
It shines out a light, in the darkest night
To make us feel alright
To make us feel alright
I've prayed every night
That you will wanna go there too
Come on darlin', let's go
Night is over as the dawn begins to crack
Sounds like a hen hatching in a chicken shack
Late last night I think I heard a lonely cry
Heard the blind owl howling in a moonless sky
Come on
Won't you be there when it leaves
Can't ya hear me talkin'
Together we could race the breeze
Old engine driver never stepped on the ground
Got no degree in geography but he's been around
Knows all the back lines, eyes can hardly see
Don't tell this man to slow down
'Cause he don't know what you mean
Come on
Won't you be there when it leaves
Can't you hear me talkin baby
Together we can race the breeze
It shines out a light, in the darkest night
To make us feel alright
To make us feel alright
I've prayed every night
That you will wanna go there too
Alright
Well that sounds like the night train, blowin' its stack
Spreading its wheels on homeward track
Arrived here this morning, won't be here for long
As fast as a shooting star, that's' what them eight wheels are for
Won't you be there when it leaves
Can't you hear me talkin' baby
Together we can race the breeze
Can't you hear me talkin' baby
Together we can race the breeze
Can't you hear me talkin' baby
Together we can race the breeze
08 If I Had a Reason (04:30)
If I had a reason I'd tell you what it is,
Must I explain how I feel
I've tried and I've tried to make it so clear
But my time is just wasted I fear
Well it's only an old song but it serves it's purpose so well
By the cry in your voice Im can tell
When you sing there's a feeling behind the words
That brings it all back again
I'm reaching, I'm reaching, while you slip away
I'm searching for words I can say
I'm listening, I'm listening, tryin' not to hear
You say that we might met one day
There's a picture that's faded and curling from it's frame
Of a face that smiles patiently,
It might smile forever to make me feel better
But I might just bust it and see.
Oh I'm reaching, I'm reaching while you slip away,
I'm searching for words I can't say.
I'm listening, I'm listening tryin' not to hear
You say that we might meet some day
There's answers to questions that we both wanna know
But those answers keep evading me
There's rhymes and there's reasons,
There's rights and there's wrongs
For being what you are to me.
If I had a a reason I'd tell you what it is
Would you do the same thing for ne?
"Cause the minute you go there's one thing I know,
That day will mean nothing to me.
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