A Band Of Friends – A Nod to Rory Gallagher

A Band Of Friends. . . Reminds me of the phrase “friends of Bill W”. Sadly the former is even more cryptic than the later. Similar deal.

Both deal with loss and celebration. Very different in numerous ways, no doubt. Alcohol does play a role in each.

Enough on that theme. Band of Friends is Davy Knowles, Ted McKenna and Gerry McAvoy. Ted and Gerry were alumni of the Rory Gallagher Band. Hell Gerry must have been there from start to finish and Ted was there several years.

Davy Knowles is a blues guitarist who can more than rock out. So it was a night of Rory Gallagher. Davy covering the vocals and of course all that lovely guitar work one would expect from any tribute to Rory. He more than covered that. He had more than the flannel and well worn Strat. He had that tone and he knew the tunes, the solos, the runs and then some. Just some nice work focused  on the music of Rory Gallagher.

Shin Kicker, Tattoo, Shadow Play, Moonchild, Key Chain, the Last of the Independents. . . It was a lovely trip down memory lane. Wish it was not so far down that lane but it was. It is.

The mates rocked out and sadly we in the audience basically sat there, despite Gerry’s coaxing. He tried. I respect the history of the Iridium, but damn dinner clubs are not for rock n roll. Not blues either. Nice to have seats available but not right up to the stage-no.

What do you want to do? Indulge your burger up close and personal with the band. No. No no no!

Regardless, it was nice seeing and hearing those tunes live. Caught Rory once in the mid 80’s at L’amours none the less! Remember getting home around seven that morning.

Tonight a much smaller quieter more reserved crowd. Ah that is the way it goes. Hate it.

You might be able to momentarily wave the finger to time but in the end it will get the last laugh.