Tattoo

iTunes Review

Some songwriters prove to be most prolific while tangled up in touring. Such was the case with Irish blues-rock champion Rory Gallagher when he penned the nine tunes for 1973’s Tattoo during a 1971 tour. “Tatoo'd Lady” opens, sounding like fellow Irish rockers Thin Lizzy (sans guitar harmonies) before the much more aggressive “Cradle Rock” pushes the boundaries of the blues with a ferocious attack on the riffs and some of the best lead guitar work of Gallagher’s recording career. “20:20 Vision” quiets down with acoustic guitars and piano alongside brushed drums. Gallagher doubles his leads on the swanky “They Don't Make Them Like You Anymore” before romanticizing the life of a big-rig operator on the chugging “Livin’ Like a Trucker” (where his wah-wah pedal makes a rare appearance). The hard-driving “Admit It” closes, with a heavy rock edge that hinted at the direction of 1976’s Calling Card. Bonus tracks include a countrified cover of Link Wray’s “Tucson, Arizona” and a nearly eight-minute jam on Rosco Gordon’s “Just a Little Bit.”