RORY GALLAGHER — Live at Montreaux

Much adored figure in the U. K. and his native Ireland, the late Rory Gallagher made his name as a fearsome guitar player specializing in high-octane, no-frills blues and rock & roll. While his albums are certainly worth investigating, it's in the live setting that Gallagher really cut loose. Live At Montreux nicely captures the singer-guitarist in full-tilt boogie, showcasing his deft fingerpicking abilities ("Out on the Western Plain"), his mastery of the blues ("Tore Down"), and the fiery enthusiasm that made him such a beloved performer ("Last of the Independents"). While the sound quality is occasionally rough, it only adds to the charm of these grittily explosive performances.