Joe Bonamassa’s The Spirit of Rory Live From Cork is a powerful live album and film capturing his deeply personal tribute to Irish blues guitar legend Rory Gallagher and is released by J&R Adventures on Friday June 19th.
The live album celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Rory Gallagher’s passing when Joe performed three sold out concerts in Cork, Ireland on July 1, 2 & 3, 2025.
Pre-order the album from UK and Europe here - https://lnk.to/JoeBonamassa.
Pre-order the album from North America here - https://joeb.me/OrderTheSpiritOfRory.
The live album is available in the following formats –
For Bonamassa, the project was never approached as a casual homage. Gallagher’s music has been part of his life since childhood, and the weight of performing it in Cork, with the blessing of Rory’s family and in front of audiences who carry his legacy so personally, was something he felt immediately.
“From my first time hearing Irish Tour ’74 I was captivated by the sheer intensity of the man and the ferocity of his approach to the electric blues" Joe said.
Brave possibly career endingly foolish to agree to play a tribute to Rory Gallagher in Cork,where he is adored with almost religious ferver .But JBs love of Rory's music was clear from the get go... admitting he instantly regretted saying "Yes" when it dawned on him the scrutiny he would be under.
We were there and it was something like I have never witnessed before when the whole town.. the WHOLE town were talking about it in anticipation ..like a small village if David Bechham was moving into the fancy farmhouse down the lane.The excitement the anticipation and as we stood around at the bars pre show the concern was clear too.
But the second that Fender started ringing out The Cradle Will Rock and as Joe looked out over the crowd as if to say here goes, the concern vanished. The relief was overwhelming and everyone roared their approval of JB's take on Rory not an impersonation but playing them as Rory would if he was Joe Bonamassa.
The crowd were with JB from that instant extra quiet on the quiet bits and extra loud on the loud bits. It had a party feel it was in a big tent after all and songs like Tattoo'd Lady were lapped up us.
Joe was joined by Jeremy Stacey (The Lemon Trees) on drums, Aongus Ralston (The Waterboys) on bass, Conor Brady on guitar and vocals and Lachey Doley on keyboards.
Then came a surprise that raised the volume in the room. After introducing the band, Bonamassa welcomed Rory’s longtime bassist, Gerry McAvoy, to the stage. McAvoy took over for two songs – ‘Bullfrog Blues’ and ‘Treat Her Right’. The latter, though not on the original album, was featured in the 40th anniversary box set and originally recorded in Cork on 4 January 1974.
To close the main set, guest vocalist Jade MacRae joined the band for a stunning version of ‘A Million Miles Away’.
Calls for an encore were answered with something special. As shadows moved across the dim stage, a chair appeared, and Bonamassa re-emerged holding Rory’s 1930s National Triolian Resonator Guitar to play As The Crow Flies . Although the legendary Stratocaster was unavailable – still residing in the Dublin museum – the Cork City Museum had kindly provided the resonator for the three-night run.
After the show the hotel bar was 100% populated by gig goers and I suspect in years to come the whole of Cork will have claimed to have been there on those 3 nights .And on the flight home to the UK 80% of the plane was taken up by JB / Rory t shirt wearers with everyone talking about it despite the other 20% heading to see the final Black Sabbath / Ozzy Osbourne show in Birmingham.
I will leave the final word to Joe “I felt the very best I could hope for was to approach his catalog with humility and reverence.”
Pictures credited to Marcus Bird and used with thanks.
