When it comes to iconic Bluesmen, Rory Gallager sits next to the Gods, if you wanted to choose a current one you would probably look no further than Blues Master Bonamassa. That is exactly what the Gallagher family did when they contacted him with their proposal and invitation to come to Cork. Bonamassa must have been nervous as to how to perform and interpret Rory’s music. A meeting and small gig were arranged for family and friends, the emotion that was created led to something much bigger. With three sold-out concerts in 2025, Bonamassa chose to stick closely to the spirit that Rory created, knowing he had to capture the essence and feel of the Irishman’s blueprint.
This resulting tribute CD, DVD and Blu-ray are a thing of beauty and spine-chilling reverence. Bonamassa is in incredible form as he and his band pour pure passion and energy into the likes of ‘Calling Card ’, ’ Bull Frog Blues’ and ‘Bad Penny ’. The basslines are perfect, the drums strike the right beat, but the keyboards/organ from Lachy Doley’s fingers create the interplay and dynamics for our guitarist to embellish with freewheeling solos and feels. When we get to ‘As The Crow Flies’ Bonamassa introduces it as the one of the first songs he learned to play on his acoustic, he hopes he does it justice, he borrows Gallagher’s 1930 National Triolian Resonator Guitar from the Cork Museum and delivers an extraordinary performance. Throughout, the vocals are delivered with clarity and purpose.
The modern Bluesman doesn’t try to imitate Rory; he adds his own flourishes and style to the performance, creating something totally honest and engaging that captivates the listener and those present. ‘Cradle Rock’ cackles with raw energy as the show begins; from here to set closer ‘Back On My Stompin’ Ground’, it is a performance of magical music that leaves you gasping for air. This album is quite possibly, no, definitely the finest tribute and legacy ever recorded. It is both wonderful and exceptional.
Review: Paul Mace
“Walk on Hot Coals”
“Tattoo’d Lady” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku1OIdS480E&list=RDku1OIdS480E&start_radio=1
“Bad Penny” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o0UXiJV__s&list=RD3o0UXiJV__s&start_radio=1
“Bullfrog Blues” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARPtm48Vf-c&list=RDARPtm48Vf-c&start_radio=1
“Who’s That Coming” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59M5p8-HLaY&list=RD59M5p8-HLaY&start_radio=1
Available Digitally, on CD/DVD, CD/Blu-ray
& Double 180 Gram Red Marble Vinyl
Pre-Order the album from UK & Europe HERE
Pre-Order the album from North America HERE
Arrives June 19 via J&R Adventures
CD Track Listing
- Cradle Rock (Live)
2. Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
3. Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
4. I Wonder Who (Live)
5. Calling Card (Live)
6. Who’s That Coming? (Live)
7. Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
8. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
9. Treat Her Right (Live)
10. Bad Penny (Live)
11. I Fall Apart (Live)
12. A Million Miles Away (Live)
13. As The Crow Flies (Live)
14. Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
DVD / Blu-ray
- The Spirit Of Rory (Opening Scene)
2. Cradle Rock
3. Walk On Hot Coals
4. Tattoo’d Lady
5. I Wonder Who
6. Calling Card
7. Who’s That Coming?
8. Messin’ With The Kid
9. Band Introductions
10. Bullfrog Blues
11. Treat Her Right
12. Bad Penny
13. I Fall Apart
14. A Million Miles Away
15. As The Crow Flies
16. Back On My Stompin’ Ground
17. Ballycotton (End Credits)
DVD / Blu-ray Bonus Features:
- Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away
● Rory’s Acoustic Guitar
● The Inspiration of Rory (A Conversation with Brian May & Slash)
Vinyl (180 gram Red Marble Double LP)
Side A
1. Cradle Rock (Live)
2. Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
3. Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
4. I Wonder Who (Live)
Side B
5. Calling Card (Live)
6. Who’s That Coming? (Live)
7. Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
8. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
Side C
9. Treat Her Right (Live)
10. Bad Penny (Live)
11. I Fall Apart (Live)
Side D
12. A Million Miles Away (Live)
13. As The Crow Flies (Live)
14. Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
U.S. SUMMER TOUR 2026
June 26 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts w/ JJ Grey & Mofro & D.K. Harrell
June 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort
June 28 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center
July 29 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap w/ Gov’t Mule
July 31 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater w/ Gov’t Mule
August 1 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule
August 3 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent
August 5 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater w/ JJ Grey & Mofro
August 7 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion
August 8 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule
August 9 – Youngstown, OH – The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre w/ Gov’t Mule
August 12 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival
August 14 – Interlochen, MI – Kresge Auditorium
August 15 – Welch, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino w/ Gov’t Mule
August 16 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Theater w/ Gov’t Mule
August 19 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic Center
August 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater
August 23 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
EU FALL TOUR 2026
October 21 – Helsinki, FL – Veikkaus Arena
October 23 – Stockholm, SE – Stockholm Avicii Arena
October 24 – Oslo, NO – Oslo Spektrum
October 25 – Gothenburg, SE – Göteborg Partille Arena
October 27 – Copenhagen, DK – K.B. Hallen København
October 29 – Rostock, DE – Stadthalle Rostock
October 30 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena
October 31 – Dortmund, DE – Westfalenhalle
November 3 – Basel, CH – Baloise Session
November 4 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum
JOE BONAMASSA
