Rory Gallagher – The BBC Collection – Vinyl LP

Universal Music will release Rory Gallagher The BBC Collection in October, a 20-disc set (18 CDs & 2 blu-rays) described as “the definitive collection of Rory Gallagher’s recorded performances at the BBC”.

The Irish guitarist and songwriter was one of the most recorded musicians of the 1970s by the BBC and this new box was created from tapes in the Beeb’s archives along with Rory Gallagher’s own transcription discs and off-air cassette recordings. Over three quarters of the audio recordings are previously unreleased.

The BBC Collection takes in 16 years of Gallagher’s career (1971-1986) and highlights include the 1977 television and radio broadcast ‘Sight & Sound’ concert, Rory’s headlining set at the Reading Festival in 1980 and the ‘At Midnight’ concert live from the Ulster Hall in Belfast, 1984. The blu-rays offer BBC TV concerts and studio performances from 1973 to 1984.

In addition to the massive box, there’s ‘highlights’ editions called The Best of Rory Gallagher at the BBC available as 2CD and 3LP variants. The big box includes a booklet with a 5,000+ word essay , written by Colin Harper, featuring new interviews with BBC producer Jeff Griffin, Rory’s long-time bassist Gerry McAvoy, and 70s peers Andy Roberts (Plainsong, Liverpool Scene etc.), Barry Devlin (Horslips), Jake Burns (SLF) and Dave McLarnon (Shock Treatment). The ‘best of’ editions include a 2,000-word edit of that essay.

LP 1
Side A
Cradle Rock – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1973
Back on My Stompin’ Ground – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1974
I Wonder Who – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1974

Side B
Continental Op – BBC Radio 2 Paul Jones Blues Show / 1986
Tattoo’d Lady – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1973
Used to Be – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1971
Bankers Blues – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1973
Can’t Be Satisfied (with Juan Martin) – BBC Radio 1 / 1984

LP 2
Side A
I Could’ve Had Religion – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1972
Walk on Hot Coals – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1973
Messin’ with The Kid – Live on BBC “Sounds of The Seventies” / 1972

Side B
Shin kicker – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
Last of The Independents – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
Keychain – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
Bought and Sold – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979

LP 3
Side A
Wayward Child – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
Mississippi Sheiks – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
Out on the Western Plain – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
As the Crow Flies – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979

Side B
Do You read Me? – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
Philby – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
Hellcat – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979
Cruise on Out – BBC In Concert / Live at The Venue, UK / 20 September 1979*

*previously released