Customer Reviews
One of the finest Gallagher albums around... - By: Ben, 05 Feb 2008 
Posthumous releases aren't normally regardedin a particularly favourable light. The argument often being that maybe the artist wouldn't have wanted it releasedin such a way during their life time. As such they end up being either a grab-bag of tunes recorded over a long period, rough sketches, very badly produced - or, at worse, all three! Without being a fully realised musical 'statement', endorsed & crafted by the artist themselves, invariably accusations are levelled that it's more a greedy record company cashingin on the devotion of fans, keen to hear more from their much-missed heros.
Perhaps you could argue "Wheels Within Wheels" flirts with all of the accusations above, but I feel its strengths as an album rises above any accusations - with the result being it is probably one of Rory Gallagher's most diverse & interesting releases.
Regardless of whether an album such as this would have seen the light of day had Rory been around today is probably a moot point. His brother Donal, who has done a sterling job on the wave of Rory reissues, clearly saw there was scope to release a collection of Rory's more eclectic, acoustic moments. I'm glad he did.
As much as I love Rory's records, from around-about 1979 onwards I felt his albums became increasingly straight-up "rock" affairs. That probably suited a lot of fans, but I felt the blues, jazz & numerous other influences of his early work were replaced with more direct, louder, driving blues/rock riffs. Okay - granted, there are exceptions on each album - but a record made of his more delicate folk based acoustic work? Sadly one never happened, but this release does a great job of filling the gap.
This record is an interesting blend of superb acoustic songs (the title track, The Cuckoo), pretty & diverse instrumentals (Flight to Paradise) & finally a collection of rousing folk-infused live songs towards the end. There's no mistaking this is very much a collection (the sound quality of the live tracks, for example, aren't quite as strong as the songs on the first half of the album), but it's Rory passion (for both his instrument & the music he loved to play) & his considerable energy that really shines through.
Basically, this is a great Rory album. A fine, fitting release - buy with confidence!
desert island disc - By: F. stowe, 22 Mar 2007 
This is one of my favourite cd's ever, it demonstrates the versatility &
virtuosity of Rorys playing, containing some great blues. Personally I also find this album very poignant & a fitting tribute to Rory, a master guitarist.
God rest you man.
Rory Lives On... - By: Dave K, 05 Jul 2003 I already own all Rorys previous albums on CD & bought this new CD today with more than a little trepidation, hoping it wouldn't be disappointingin the way that many posthumous collections are. I needn't have worried - it is superb. I can't really add much to the earlier reviews other than to endorse them wholeheartedly & recommend that you treat yourself to this excellent album. I've been an ardent fan of Rory for over 30 years & treasure the memory of the times I saw him livein concert (I still have the tickets & programmes!) I went to Ireland for the first time last year & visited Rory's birthplace & his grave to pay my respects to someone who, imho, represents everything that is good bothin music &in a man. Thanks, Donal, for sharing with us more great music & at the same time upholding Rory's memory with dignity & respect.
Rory Gallagher music - By: Simon Youl, 08 Apr 2003 Rory was everything that a rock star should be - & a whole lot more besides. Despite being lumpedin with the early '70s guitar virtuosos on the strength of his spirited & prop-free live shows ( check out Livein Europe & Live Irish, not to mention the Taste power trio ), he was an extremely sensitive as well as exciting musician of the highest order who liked to mix light & shadein his recordings.
Here is a beautiful set of acoustic Rory which reveal the more eclectic side of The Man, sometimes neglected during his highly successful careerin favour of ( some very special ) Stratocaster & slide pyrotechnics.
He himself always reckoned that his live performances were a kind of antidote to the more melancholic, personal materialin his songwriting ( check out Rory Gallagher 1 ) & vice versa. Here you get a very satisfying blend of the two. Marvellous. Rory Gallagher music. Brings a twinkle - & a tear - to my eye. Cheers mate.
Honest, fresh music from an unpretentious musician - By: , 29 Mar 2003 The only criticism I ever had of Rory Gallagher was that some of his albums felt over-produced; losing the drive & excitement that he powered through all his live shows with. This series of recordings suffer none of this: the tracks have a fresh, loose feel which I cannot fault. It should be required listening for anyone interestedin rock, blues or folk - it reminded me why I loved those forms of musicin the first place, & made me realise how much I miss Rory Gallagher gigs.
Before listening to the cd I worried that this was another example of cashingin on a dead musician - a worry not helped by the death-mask style album cover (the only part of the package I would readily lose) - but this fear was completely unfounded.
