RORY GALLAGHER – Top Priority. Universal Music UMC 7732. Netherlands release. FACTORY SEALED NEW VINYL RECORD ALBUM. Originally issued in 1979 on Chrysalis Records. This edition issued in 2018 and has been re-mastered from the original tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl, hype sticker front, on outside cellophane wrap, includes download card. MUSICIANS:  Rory Gallagher (vocals, guitars, harmonica, dulcimer), Garry McAvoy (bass), and Ted McKenna (drums).

 

TRACKS:

 

SIDE ONE:

 

01)    Follow Me (4:51)

02)    Philby (3:48)

03)    Wayward Child (3:28)

04)    Keychain (4:20)

05)    At The Depot (3:20)

 

SIDE TWO:

 

06)    Bad Penny (4:04)

07)    Just Hit Town (3:36)

08)    Off The Handle (5:38)

09)    Public Enemy No. 1 (3:48)

 

DESCRIPTION:  The following was written by Jamie Twort with a touch of editing and a few additional comments by me (probably more then you need to know, but worth the read non the less):  The late 1970’s was an interesting if somewhat turbulent period for the blues-rock scene; punk, post-punk, and new wave were getting major label support at this point, the old guard was arguably and commercially on the ropes at this point. The ‘original’ Whitesnake had just emerged from the ashes of Deep Purple only to be told by their record label that they weren’t sure if there was even a market for a "hard-rocking blues band”. Guitarist Gary Moore was becoming further and further detached from his blues roots and would almost abandon them completely throughout the next decade. And the few remaining bands to come out of the so-called ‘British blues boom’ were either attempting to re-invent themselves (such as Savoy Brown’s Kim Simmonds adding a younger backing band and playing a slicker brand of AOR rock sans blues) or were on the cusp of breaking up. However, one blues-rock musician, namely Rory Gallagher, was enjoying arguably the most successful period of his career. With the success of his 1978 album, Photo Finish, and sell out shows on the US tour in support of its release, his current record label, Chrysalis, had promised to make the guitarist’s next album their “top priority”, hence the album’s title and a reminder to his label of their commitment. The album was released less than a year after Photo Finish, which given his busy touring schedule, was quite remarkable considering the quality of the music on offer (Rory is/was an incredible musician who consistently produced albums of high artistic quality throughout his career:  there is no such thing as a bad, or even mediocre, Rory Gallagher album). The tone of the album is set right from the get-go with the opening riff of the heavy rocker, Follow Me, which with it’s hook-laden chorus and powerful solo, harks back to Derek and the Dominos era Clapton except with a harder edge to it. Following track, Philby is another rocker and is one of Gallagher’s catchiest compositions and has since become a favorite among fans. The song is notable for featuring a rare 60’s Coral electric sitar, which Gallagher hired from Pete Townshend. The instrument gives the song a certain eastern flavor and shows that the guitarist was still willing to try different things more than a decade into his career. Songs like Keychain and Off The Handle have a more pure blues sound than is heard on the rest of the album but they still maintain that hard rock edge due to Rory’s energetic vocals and the intensity of his guitar playing. One thing that Top Priority lacks is diversity (which is a minor point because he is such a consummate performer), there are no acoustic-based numbers nor are there any lengthy slow-blues songs like Fuel To The Fire from Gallagher’s previous album, Photo Finish. The album is primarily made up of average length heavy blues-rock tracks, each of which show the singer/guitarist’s talent in the song writing department as well as his brilliant musicianship. The quality of the songs on Top Priority combined with the album’s consistency (there’s not one track that could be considered filler) more than make up for the lack of variation in style. One of the album’s most memorable songs is the brilliant southern rocker, Bad Penny, which soon became a live favorite and is considered by fans as one of Rory’s finest songs. It’s songs like this that make Top Priority such an enjoyable listen, not only will it leave you in awe of his technical ability as a guitar player but it also shows just how good a song writer he was. Overall Top Priority is easily one of Rory Gallagher’s best albums and for someone looking to explore his back catalog it should indeed be a ‘top priority’. Essential listening and deserves a place in any decent album collection.  

THIS ITEM IS NEW AND UNPLAYED. Used items will include condition details for the cover, disc, inserts, etc.

 

NOTE TO POTENTIAL BUYERS:  If the jacket or disc (unless sealed) is punched, marked, or cut in any manner, denoting a promotional/review copy, I will state that as part of the item description. Also if an issue is a "music club" edition, that will be noted in the item description.

 

If you have any questions or if you have additional information, especially corrections, to the description, please e-mail me. I particularly enjoy when an artist, band member, or someone who has personal background knowledge of a particular album/artist and offers their insight/information of that recording, which I will include with the description for future listings of that release. As a collector of many years, part of the hobby side for me is to learn about the background of the artists and music that I collect. Hopefully, sharing some of this information in my descriptions will help educate and enhance your listening experience.     

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TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS:

 

SS or SLD:  Still Sealed or Sealed (or some variation of sealed depending on how many characters I have left in the title line). This item is new and unplayed. Also appears in the listing description as Sealed LP or Factory Sealed LP.

 

NEW LP:  This item is new and unplayed, but was received from a supplier without being shrink wrapped or cellophane wrapped; more common on imports but also many of the smaller independent US labels do not seal their LPs. These items are placed inside of a clear poly outer sleeve upon their receipt by me

 

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