Digitally remastered reissue of the late bluesy Irish rock guitarist's 1979 album for Chrysalis with 'Hell Cat' & 'The Watcher' added as bonus tracks, for a total of 11 selections. Also features the original cover art.... more » 1999 release.« less
Digitally remastered reissue of the late bluesy Irish rock guitarist's 1979 album for Chrysalis with 'Hell Cat' & 'The Watcher' added as bonus tracks, for a total of 11 selections. Also features the original cover art. 1999 release.
CD Reviews
Stop reading this review and go buy this CD!!
Rik | Tacoma, WA | 05/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rory Gallagher is THE most underrated blues/rock guitarist in the history of the genre. This collection of songs rocks a little harder than some of his other CDs but that's fine with me. The songs are great and his vocals and guitar are second to none. Know this...there are streets named after Rory Gallagher in France and England!!! America, as usual, seems to have missed the boat on this amazing musician. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. It's great,"
One of his best
Brian W. Diller | Nashville, TN | 09/02/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to Rory Gallagher is a bittersweet experience. He was a tremendous guitar player. His passionate playing easily stands beside Eric Clapton and Peter Green as one of the best Anglo-Blues guitarists. It must have been frustrating for him to watch his peers rise to international stardom while he continuously slogged through tour after tour playing in clubs and smaller venues to his loyal core audience. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. His playing and writing were at their peak at this point in his career. God bless Rory Gallagher. He is sadly missed."
Energy, passion, commitment = Rory Gallagher
Mons | Norrpan | 02/19/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Despite his fiery guitar-playing, his stunning live performances and his single-minded adherence to the true spirit of rock n? roll, Rory Gallagher (from Ballyshannon in Ireland) never made the big league, never getting the full backing of his record comp any. A shame, because here is a guy who liked his blues rough and raw. Add passionate fretboard work; songwriting savvy; a high-octane, souped up Stratocaster to the formula and you have rock heaven. The keyword is energy. It literally oozes out of the speakers. Follow Me is impressive by any standards. When the rhythm section of Gerry Macavoy (bass) and Ted McKenna (drums) kicks in, the energy and power is extraordinary. Keychain, Wayward Child and Bad Penny are other highlights, with Rory laying down the blues as though he invented it, and adding to the blistering blues licks an unmistakable Celtic tone that makes Rory Gallagher a truly unique blues/rock artist. Although not all the songs on the album live up to Follow Me (and points off for the unecessary bonus tracks), and Rory?s vocals are more rough and ready than accomplished, those who want an introduction to one of the world?s top blues/rock Strat-toting guns, who died just a few years ago long before his time was up, should check out Top Priority.."
Full of gems
Gator Carter | Newport OR | 07/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Beginning with the previous year's "Photo Finish", people often refer to this era of Rory's music as his arena rock period, and in turn received some criticism for it. Though not as diverse in styles as his early albums, "Top Priority" is so full of clever hooks and great riffs, it should be appreciated for what it is and not criticised for what it's not.
"Follow Me" is such a great opening track, a real catchy rocker and adrenaline rush that sets the pace for the remainder of the disc. From there Rory launches off with a collection of some of his best rockers, "Key Chain", "Bad Penny", "Philby", the smoldering blues of "Off the Handle" being the highlights. Also found here is the original version of "Public Enemy #1", another really brilliant gem of a rocker, although I personally love the alternate version found on the "Calling Card" CD even more. The bonus cuts are great too, especially "The Watcher" which features Rory playing some surf-style guitar in the tradition of Dick Dale and includes some rare studio experimentation by Rory on his vocals. It may actually be my favorite cut on the entire CD, such a clever and original rocker. "Hell Cat" is one of those tunes by Rory that often is dismissed as being too conventional. Yes, the tune itself is pretty average as far as chord changes go, but if you're familiar with Rory Gallagher, you know that his approach to any song he ever recorded is passionate and sincere. It's a high charged, revved up rocker and delivered with a conviction and a certain element of surprise that only Rory could give it, whether it be a certain way he'll phrase things in his vocals or in his guitar, you'll never catch him going through the motions. An uncompromising brilliant talent, Rory was. "Top Priority" is one of his best."
Rory Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Phillip J. Lavios | Murphys, CA | 05/31/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw rory Gallagher in the early 1980's as a soldier in Europe, and he definitely rocked the house that night!! this allbum is a pure classic! I highly reccomend it to anyone that likes bluesy rock!!!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1