Just the Smile: Rory Gallagher's 1971 Solo Debut Expanded as 50th Anniversary Box Set

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2020 saw a number of releases from late Irish guitar god Rory Gallagher including a blazing 1977 live set and a career-spanning anthology. Now, the celebration of all things Gallagher continues with a 50th anniversary edition of his 1971 solo debut. On September 3, UMC (in the U.K.) and UMe (in the U.S.) will reissue the eponymous Rory Gallagher as a 4CD/1DVD set containing a new mix of the original album, 30 previously unreleased outtakes and alternates, a six-song BBC Radio John Peel Sunday Concert, and four BBC Radio Sounds of the Seventies performances - all freshly mastered at Abbey Road Studios. The DVD will contain a previously unreleased, 50-minute film of Gallagher's first solo concert which was filmed in Paris for the Pop Deux television program.

Rory Gallagher struck out on his own following the breakup of the band Taste. He tapped bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Wilgar Campbell to round out his power trio. Recording at London's Advision Studios, producer-artist Gallagher, McAvoy, and Campbell were all ready to showcase their versatility on Rory's debut LP. It would feature blistering blues-rock workouts alongside and folk- and jazz-inspired cuts. In addition to guitar, Gallagher played mandolin, harmonica, and saxophone, while Vincent Crane added piano to two songs.

Gerry McAvoy would remain Gallagher's trusted musical ally for the next 20 years; Campbell would stick around for two more albums before departing the band in June 1972. Rory Gallagher captures the moment in time when all three were playing on the same wavelength, finding new paths within the blues idiom. Among the outtakes in this new package are the previously released outtake renditions of Muddy Waters' "Gypsy Woman" and Otis Rush's "It Takes Time;" alternates of the songs on Rory Gallagher; the previously unreleased "At the Bottom" (which Rory would re-record for 1975's Against the Grain); and the spontaneous "Advision Jam."

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The box set features a 32-page hardback book with rare and previously unpublished photographs from British rock photographer Barrie Wentzell, plus liner notes and memorabilia including Gallagher's handwritten song lyrics, and a poster. Notes have been provided by Rory's brother/manager Donal Gallagher, Gerry McAvoy, and Barrie Wentzell, while a 1971 interview with Rory by Roy Eldridge has been reprinted.

If 5 discs is too much Rory Gallagher for you, UMC and UMe are also offering highlights versions on 2 CDs or 3 LPs. The uDiscoverMusic.com and Sound of Vinyl online stores will also offer an exclusive neon orange LP of the John Peel Sunday Concert show, and a digital version will offer 23 tracks culled from the box set.

The 50th anniversary editions of Rory Gallagher are due on September 3. You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below.

Rory Gallagher, Rory Gallagher (Polydor (U.K.) LP 2383-044, 1971 - reissued UMC/UMe, 2021)

4CD/1DVD Super Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

CD 1: Original Album Remix