Joe Bonamassa has announced the release of The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork, a live album and film in which he pays a personal tribute to the Irish blues legend Rory Gallagher. The recordings were made during a series of sold-out concerts in Cork, Gallagher’s hometown, last summer. The album will be released on June 19 via Bonamassa‘s own label J&R Adventures and is available for pre-order now. The first three live tracks are already available to listen to: “Walk On Hot Coals (Live)”, “Bullfrog Blues (Live)”, and “Who’s That Coming (Live)”.
For Bonamassa, this project was no simple tribute. Gallagher’s music has played a major role in his life since his youth. Performing in Cork, with the family’s permission and for an audience so deeply connected to Gallagher, made a lasting impression. In the foreword to the release, he writes: “I never met him, but his music and playing style are very important to me. When I first heard Irish Tour ’74, I was immediately struck by the intensity and energy.”
That influence began early. “I remember his voice and unique guitar sound from when I was very young,” says Bonamassa. “My father introduced me to many great guitarists and encouraged me to listen to Rory as well.”
What started as an invitation from the Gallagher family grew into something larger. “Just the idea of it made me nervous,” he writes. “But it was also a tremendous honor that his family thought I was capable of doing this.” Instead of reinventing the music, he chose to approach it with respect and humility.
That attitude defined the entire project. In 2024, Bonamassa traveled to Cork for an initial announcement featuring a small performance for family, friends, and the press. The response was so overwhelming that a single show quickly turned into three sold-out concerts. “I felt there was a lot at stake with the Irish audience, but the reaction was fantastic.”
When the band returned in 2025, the atmosphere was even more intense. “This is Rory’s city and his audience. We didn’t want to let them down,” says Bonamassa. The result is a live recording full of energy and emotion, carried by the band, the audience, and the place itself.
The album contains 14 carefully chosen songs from Gallagher’s repertoire, ranging from energetic tracks like “Walk On Hot Coals” and “Bullfrog Blues” to the more sensitive “A Million Miles Away,” which stands as the focal track of the release. Other highlights include “Tattoo’d Lady,” “Bad Penny,” “I Fall Apart,” “Calling Card,” and “Cradle Rock.”
Also special is the performance of “As The Crow Flies,” played on Gallagher’s own 1930 guitar, borrowed from the Cork Public Museum. This provided an extra tangible connection to the artist and his legacy.
The DVD and Blu-ray versions contain additional material, such as The Inspiration of Rory, featuring conversations with Brian May and Slash, alongside other behind-the-scenes footage. Together, the audio and video give a complete picture of what these performances meant to Bonamassa, the Gallagher family, and the fans.
Ultimately, Bonamassa sees this album as a tribute: “What you hear is our best attempt to honor Rory Gallagher, someone I never met but admire immensely. His music is in me, and I am grateful that we were able to contribute to his legacy in our own way.”
CD Track Listing
1. Cradle Rock (Live)
2. Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
3. Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
4. I Wonder Who (Live)
5. Calling Card (Live)
6. Who’s That Coming? (Live)
7. Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
8. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
9. Treat Her Right (Live)
10. Bad Penny (Live)
11. I Fall Apart (Live)
12. A Million Miles Away (Live)
13. As The Crow Flies (Live)
14.Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
DVD / Blu-Ray
1. The Spirit Of Rory (Opening Scene)
2. Cradle Rock
3. Walk On Hot Coals
4. Tattoo’d Lady
5. I Wonder Who
6. Calling Card
7. Who’s That Coming?
8. Messin’ With The Kid
9. Band Introductions
10. Bullfrog Blues
11. Treat Her Right
12. Bad Penny
13. I Fall Apart
14. A Million Miles Away
15. As The Crow Flies
16. Back On My Stompin’ Ground
17. Ballycotton (End Credits)
DVD / Blu-Ray Bonus Features:
- Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away
- Rory’s Acoustic Guitar
- The Inspiration of Rory (A Conversation with Brian May & Slash)
Vinyl (180 gram Red Marble Double LP)
Side A
1. Cradle Rock (Live)
2. Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
3. Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
4. I Wonder Who (Live)
Side B
5. Calling Card (Live)
6. Who’s That Coming? (Live)
7. Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
8. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
Side C
9. Treat Her Right (Live)
10. Bad Penny (Live)
11. I Fall Apart (Live)
Side D
12. A Million Miles Away (Live)
13. As The Crow Flies (Live)
14. Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
EU/UK SPRING TOUR 2026
April 22 – Hamburg, DE – Barclays Arena
April 24 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotterdam Rtm Stage
April 25 – Paris, FR – La Seine Musicale
April 27 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU – Luxembourg Rockhal
April 29 – Mannheim, DE – SAP Arena
May 1 – Chemnitz, DE – Stadthalle Chemnitz
May 2 – Nürnberg, DE – Psd Bank Nürnberg Arena
May 3 – Zürich, CH – Hallenstadion
May 6 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall
May 7 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall
EU FALL TOUR 2026
October 21 – Helsinki, FL – Veikkaus Arena
October 23 – Stockholm, SE – Stockholm Avicii Arena
October 24 – Oslo, NO – Oslo Spektrum
October 25 – Gothenburg, SE – Göteborg Partille Arena
October 27 – Copenhagen, DK – K.B. Hallen København
October 29 – Rostock, DE – Stadthalle Rostock
October 30 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena
October 31 – Dortmund, DE – Westfalenhalle
November 3 – Basel, CH – Baloise Session
November 4 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum
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