Wheels Within Wheels
Wheels within Wheelsfulfils at least one of the lost ambitions of the late Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher. On each of his electric albums, Gallagher featured a rootsy acoustic track and he'd hoped to release a complete album of unplugged performances. Collecting and tidying up a selection of outtakes and lost recordings from 1974 to 1994, his brother, Donal, reveals Gallagher's taste for blues, skiffle, and folk, and his love of collaborating with great musicians. The instrumental "Bratacha Dubha" features folk heroesMartin CarthyandMaire Ni Chathasaigh, whileBert Janschturns up in "She Moves Through the Fair." TheDubliners,Bela Fleck, and the lateLonnie Doneganalso put in appearances. Of course, given Rory's prodigious abilities, the playing is exceptionally fine, but there's a rare warmth here. Donal has succeeded in capturing the respectful, dignified, and wild qualities of a gifted musician. Gallagher fans will be delighted.--Dominic Wills