Stage Truck (Live & Remastered)

In a curious marketing move (perhaps not so curious given Gallagher was leaving for a new label), 1980's 'Stage Struck' saw Chrysalis reaching into the archives to pull material from a 1979/80 world tour (material was drawn from Australian, French, Irish and American dates). Given there were already two live sets (1972's 'Rory Gallagher Live!' and 1974's 'Irish Tour '74'), you couldn't exactly claim this release was a necessity. On the other hand the self-produced set was interesting for switching the focus from blues to Gallagher's rock and boogie catalogs. Backed by bassist McAvoy and drummer McKenna, material such as 'Wayward Child', 'Brute Force And Arrogance', 'Moonchild' and 'Floow Me' made it clear Gallagher had all the talents required to take on his more successful 'guitar god' contemporaries. (Any Whitesnake fans out there? This simply shreds those imitators to shreds). Once again, Gallagher proved a surprisingly accomplished vocalist. In the meantime, tired of the constant touring, McKenna quit. He was quickly replaced by Brendan O'Neill.