rory gallagher
Moving to a new series of artist playing profiles Harrison Marsh looks at the slide work of this much-missed, Irish-born blues rock legend.
Rory Gallagher has been hailed as an influence by many including Brian May and Johnny Marr. Famous for his heavily-worn Strat and aggressive blues sound, songs like Bullfrog Blues display his ability to play fast and rhythmically, mixing slide and fretted notes to great effect.
Gallagher was heavily influenced by Delta and Chicago blues players, including Muddy Waters and Big Bill Broonzy, which is undoubtedly how he first came to slide guitar. He also played and recorded versions of songs by blues artists including Son House’s Empire State Express. Despite a career cut tragically short at the age of 47, the Irish-born blues man was famed for his dynamic live playing from early days with Taste, right through his solo career. His playing is instantly recognisable, being equally at home on electric, acoustic or resonator instruments, specifically his 1932 National Triolian.
Gallagher was a skilled fingerstyle player. However, for his electric slide he favoured a pick-and-fingers approach, regularly using open A, G, D and E tunings and applying a capo for different keys. The examples here all use open A tuning with a capo at the 2nd fret.
There are some interesting chord voicings on offer here. Gallagher would intersperse call-and-response slide melodies with his vocals, often playing chords with first and second fingers then using the slide on his fourth for solos. Unusually for a slide player, he commonly used a plectrum and fingers approach, which needs careful muting with the picking hand, so avoid using too much gain as notes tend to blur into each other. His
gallagher would make use of the whole neck, with impressive speed and a wide range of dynamics and vibrato
fiery spirit lost none of its strength when in open tuning with a slide and he had a natural feel for a wide range of blues styles.
Gallagher would make full use of the whole neck of the guitar, often with impressive speed and a wide range of dynamics and signature vibrato. Start slowly with some of the phrases here to ensure the fundamentals of the notes don’t get lost in vibrato and unwanted string noise. To anyone interested in slide guitar, Rory Gallagher’s playing is every bit as inspiring as any of his work and getting to grips with his style is great fun.
NEXT MONTH Harrison meets one of slide’s most influential figures: the great Duane Allman