Superstar blues guitarist JOE BONAMASSA has announced the release of “The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork.” This live album and accompanying film captures the American music-maker’s moving tribute to Irish blues icon Rory Gallagher, and was recorded live in Cork, Ireland, Gallagher’s birthplace, during last summer’s sell-out shows.
The release date for the album, out via Bonamassa’s J&R Adventures, is June 19th 2026.
Joe Bonamassa didn’t treat the project as a simple tribute: Rory’s music has been a lifelong passion, so he felt the burden of artistic responsibility when he performed the music in Cork, with Rory’s family’s approval, and in front of an audience who were so deeply connected to Rory’s legacy. “I never had the honour to meet him, but his music and musicianship loom large in my life,” Bonamassa said.
“From my first time hearing Irish Tour ’74 I was captivated by the sheer intensity of the man and the ferocity of his approach to the electric blues.”
“I remember that voice and a singular guitar tone slicing through the walls of my bedroom at a very young age… My father, who exposed me to so many of the great guitarists of his era, was quick to encourage me to listen to Rory and glean what I could.”
“The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork” features fourteen carefully chosen songs, to showcase the breadth of Gallagher’s artistic range, from the intense energy of “Walk On Hot Coals” and “Bullfrog Blues” to the passionate depth of “A Million Miles Away,” which will be the album’s main single. Among the other notable songs on the tour, were “Tattoo’d Lady,” “Bad Penny,” “I Fall Apart,” “Calling Card,” and “Cradle Rock,” with each song performed with great energy and authenticity, to respect the spirit and form of the original work.
Among the special moments captured in this new release is Bonamassa’s rendition of “As The Crow Flies” played on Gallagher’s 1930 National Triolian resonator guitar, a loan from the Cork Public Museum. This provided a concrete link to the artist, whose impact on the city and guitarists for years to come is undeniable.
The DVD and Blu-ray editions feature additional footage to broaden the narrative, including “The Inspiration of Rory” with Brian May and Slash, “Rory’s Acoustic Guitar,” and “Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away.” The audio and visual elements combine to provide a deeper understanding of the significance of these performances for Bonamassa, Gallagher’s family, and the devoted fans.
“Walk On Hot Coals” taken from the album (video shared below) is an enthusiastic rock ‘n’ roll celebration, featuring a prominent emerald guitar melody that brightly interlaces with landscaping sounds. Bonamassa’s vocal performance, with its woody, juniper-like quality, serves to enhance the coherence and sincerity of the overall piece. And the uninhibited, rhythmic sway soars beyond upland clouds and towards an endless and ever golden sunset. Superlative!
Pre-order link: https://lnk.to/JoeBonamassa
Main photo: © Marcus Bird
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