Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan boxed-set announcements are cause for celebration

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      It's been a wonderful week for fans of blues-rockin' Strat masters Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

      First off came the announcement on Tuesday that on October 20 Sony Music/Legacy Recordings will release the 40th-anniversary expanded deluxe-edition of Gallagher's Irish Tour '74 album. That was the double-album recorded in late December '73/early January of '74 in Belfast, Dublin, and Cork that featured the Irish guitar legend ripping it up on originals like "Tattoo'd Lady" and "Walk on Hot Coals" and covers of J.B. Hutto ("Too Much Alcohol") and Tony Joe White ("As the Crow Flies").

      The new box set will feature, for the first time ever, all three shows packaged in an 8-disc set that includes no less than 43 previously unreleased tracks and the feature-length documentary directed by Tony Palmer.

      Did I mention how the news of this package made me holler "fuckin'-AAA"?

      Then--as if a massive box set of Rory Gallagher live weren't enough to get any red-blooded rock-guitar freak foamin' at the mouth--on Wednesday came word that on October 28 Epic Records/Legacy Recordings will issue a whopping 12-disc package titled Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: The Complete Epic Recordings Collection.

      This riff-riddled collection isn't quite as thrilling as the Gallagher set because it doesn't include any previously unreleased selections, but it does feature--as well as the brunt of Vaughan's live and studio albums--A Legend in the Making: Live at the El Mocambo, which was originally released for promotional purposes only in 1983.

      So if you're a Vaughan fanatic who wasn't in the biz back then and didn't score a free copy, there's one good reason to splurge. Hey, I'm a Vaughan fanatic who was in the biz back in '83. Where the fuck was my free copy!?

      Anyway, I hate to end this celebratory blog on a sour note, but I'm hoping the hockey pucks down at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame score themselves these two sets and play them nonstop until they finally realize that without both Rory and Stevie in their hallowed hall it ain't really rock and roll at all.

      Comments

      11 Comments

      John Ganjamie

      Aug 30, 2014 at 1:08pm

      Steve
      Thanks for your continued support of Rory!
      John Ganjamie
      http://www.roryon.com

      Blues_Ken

      Aug 30, 2014 at 1:47pm

      So pumped for the Rory box. Don't care about the SRV since I have it all on vinyl, CDs, remastered CDs, Legacy Edition CDs, VHS and DVDs.

      William Higgins

      Aug 30, 2014 at 3:20pm

      I can't wait for this new music from my favorite neck-choker,Rory Gallagher.I grew up listening to and emulating Rory.Irish Tour '74 and Calling Card were literally worn out with over playing, a teenage obsession that has only abated slightly over time.As for those turds who make up the committee to nominate individuals for the Hall of Fame should be ashamed.Even though

      William Higgins

      Aug 30, 2014 at 11:53pm

      My battery died out on my last comment,what I wanted to say was that I didn't think Rory being Rory if he were still alive really wouldn't have cared about being inducted into the"hall of fame". He truly only cared about the music first and foremost and his legions of Rory fans.Truly a humbler man you would never find.

      Frank Clarke

      Aug 31, 2014 at 3:31pm

      Hall of Fame omission is a mystery, but don't worry and keep on rockin' to Rory's music. As William said he would not have been bothered by it as all he wanted was that the fans enjoyed his music,which we did. Regards from Cork City home of Rory.

      bruce barrett

      Aug 31, 2014 at 3:52pm

      Right! Rory was about the music and not into the rock star status.

      Dave Guild

      Aug 31, 2014 at 8:22pm

      Both Rory and Johnny Winter should go in together...Two of the best of all time, as well as two of the most deserving of the recognition.It sucks neither of them can be here to enjoy the honor in person. I
      dont know if they ever shared a stage but what a show that would have been!

      Jimmy Comandatore

      Sep 1, 2014 at 11:15am

      Seen Rory at winter land one of the best eye ever seen best show god bless that man and thank you!!!!!

      Mark Grasso

      Sep 2, 2014 at 11:20am

      I guess if the hall of fame put everyone in at once they would have nothing to do for the next ten years. Maybe, they have to stretch it out to justify their existence? That said, there are plenty of less deserving inductees that went in sooner than some all time greats. Who knows what they are thinking (or not thinking.)I have all of SRV's stuff but look forward to picking up the Rory boxed set.

      Ange

      Sep 3, 2014 at 8:37pm

      Beautifully said Steve.! x