"Big Guns - The Very Best Of Rory Gallagher" to Be Released June 13, 2005

Classic Tracks from one of the World's Most Influential Blues Rock Guitarists

Re-mastered in 5.1 Surround
2-Disc CD/SACD

To mark the 10th anniversary of his untimely death, SonyBMG Entertainment are pleased to announce the June 13th 2005 release of Big Guns - The Very Best Of Rory Gallagher - the stunning new 24-track 2-disc album from Ireland's most influential blues rock guitarist, Rory Gallagher. Now, for the first time, the original multi-tracks of some of Rory's best known recordings have been remixed, digitally re-mastered and upgraded in 5.1 Surround Sound on CD/SACD.

Following the release of the 2003's critically acclaimed acoustic album, Wheels, Within, Wheels (Album Of The Year - Guitar Magazine), this highly anticipated anthology, meticulously compiled by Rory's brother and longstanding manager, Dónal Gallagher, represents the crème de la crème of the legendary guitarist's most significant recordings spanning an illustrious 28-year recording career.

Rory Gallagher is an undisputed guitar legend to blues enthusiasts around the globe. Not only will the anthology delight fans; it will appeal to a broader audience through the timeless qualities of the music and the unique approach of this much-missed authentic guitar virtuoso. His contribution to rock music has had a significant impact on both musicians and music fans around the world, despite his untimely death on June 14, 1995 at the age of 47 (from complications following liver transplant surgery).

The package includes a comprehensive booklet with sleeve notes penned by the highly esteemed Times newspaper rock correspondent, David Sinclair, himself an avid Rory admirer. A second set of essays is provided by Michael Molenda, Editor-In-Chief of GUITAR PLAYER magazine in the U.S.

The anthology features rare tracks from his formative years with his first band, Taste, who quickly attracted global critical acclaim and listed John Lennon among their fans. In the tradition of Hendrix, Cream, etc. their contemporaries at the time, Taste were not only a trio who played blues rock, but they also crossed over into folk and jazz, led to the fore by Rory's impeccable guitar playing and song-writing.

They went on to record two studio albums before they split up in 1970, after which a further two 'live' albums were issued; the same year Gallagher released his debut solo album, Rory Gallagher.

In those early days, Gallagher single-handedly spearheaded the Irish rock movement, and in the process, pushed the envelope, blazed a trail for other Irish rock bands including Thin Lizzy and U2 (Gallagher's influence on U2's Rattle and Hum album is uncanny). At an age of seven, he became fascinated with American blues and folk singers he listened to on the radio. An avid record collector, his musical influences were diverse and included Leadbelly, Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Lonnie Donegan, Chris Barber, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, etc.

Gallagher has often been highly regarded by music critics and fans as one of the finest blues musicians treading the boards: a guitar virtuoso and among the finest slide players in the world. Gallagher has received the rare accolade of being invited to play with legendary musicians including the great blues virtuoso Muddy Waters, who invited him to record on his London Sessions album (1972, Chess Records), and Albert King, who invited him to play on his 1977 Live album (Utopia/RCA Records). Gallagher also recorded on albums for Jerry Lee Lewis (London Sessions, 1973, Mercury), British skiffle-king Lonnie Donegan (Puttin' On The Style, 1976, Chrysalis), and the Chris Barber Band (Frat That Fraddle Rat).

During 1991, in a rare interview with American music journalist, Richard Skelly, Gallagher said, "I try to sit down and write a Rory Gallagher song, which generally happens to be quite bluesy. I try to find different issues, different themes and different topics that haven't been covered before. I've done things in all different styles... train blues, drinking blues, economic blues. I try to find a slightly different angle on all these things. The music can be very traditional, but you can sort of creep into the future with the lyrics."

All trademark musical genres, from grassroots blues and R&B, rock'n'roll and country music are evident on the songs carefully selected for this timely retrospective. If anything, it's Gallagher's distinctive guitar playing style, self-taught technique and unadulterated passion for the blues that makes this long overdue anthology an essential addition any serious record collection.

With Rory Gallagher's most memorable recordings upgraded in 5.1 Surround Sound for the first time, experience vintage blues guitar just as if the man himself is playing his heart out in the privacy of your front room. Crank it up because it doesn't get any better than this.

"Big Guns - The Very Best Of Rory Gallagher"

Tracks to include:

Big Guns - from the album "Jinx" (1982)
Tatoo'd Lady - from the album "Tattoo" (1972)
Sinnerboy - from the album "Taste: Live At The Isle Of Wight" (1968)
What's Going on - from the album "Taste: On The Boards" (1970)
Calling Card - from the album "Calling Card" (1976)
Lonesome Highway - from the album "Wheels Within Wheels" (2003)

Full tracklisting to be revealed during May 2005