Joe Bonamassa review: US guitarist puts Rory Gallagher back centre stage at Marquee in Cork
Joe Bonamassa tore up the Marquee in Cork on Tuesday night with his renditions of Rory Gallagher classics. And the top-class band included a guest appearance from Rory's own bassist, Gerry McAvoy. Pictures: Darragh Kane
Awesome and yet eerie at the same time, Joe Bonamassa’s adoring homage to Rory Gallagher’s epic double live album, Irish Tour ’74, is a spine-chilling experience that takes music to a higher spiritual plane.
Everyone who was in Cork’s Marquee for night one on Tuesday had the same thought: How can I get tickets to nights two and three?
And another shared thought: If Joe Bonamassa is this good, then on what plane did Rory Gallagher exist?
As Cork pays tribute to Rory to mark 30 years since his untimely passing, it seemed apt that Rory Gallagher Avenue should be located at Cork Airport. Did his feet touch the ground or did he only ever walk on air?
Ahead of the gig, walking around the grounds at Live at the Marquee, you’re hit by all the international accents. They’ve flown in from all over to be here. Hushed tones in anticipation. This must be what it’s like at Mount Everest base camp ahead of a climb, or indeed Croagh Patrick.
This is no ordinary show, it’s a pilgrimage. And Bonamassa is no tribute act, he’s a pilgrim.
January 5th in Rory history:
— Rory Gallagher (@rorygallagher) January 5, 2025
1974 Cork IRL City Hall
1976 Belfast IRL Grosvenor Hall
1977 Belfast IRL Ulster Hall
1979 Belfast IRL Ulster Hall
1984 Belfast IRL Ulster TV-Studio
1984 Belfast IRL Ulster Hall (BBC Rory at Midnight)
1995 Geleen NL De Hanenhofhttps://t.co/b0Gr4F5edi
He’s one of the world’s leading blues stars, with 16 studio albums, 20 live albums, Grammy awards, and a long train of celebrity fans of his own. Even his side projects such as the band Black Country Communion are big box office.
This is not business for Joe; it’s pure love.
“Well, good evening Cork,” Joe says, a few songs in.
A man of few words, he lets his Fenders do the talking — vintage Fender Stats in green, brown, and red, each with a black fringe.
Onstage at 8.15pm sharp, the band had been rehearsing in Cork this past week.
Fans will have seen Insta pics of pints of porter, notably the pint of Beamish, proof positive these gunslingers were holed up in the Deep South
Bonamassa put together an incredible band for these shows: UK percussionist Jeremy Stacey (Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, King Crimson); Australian keyboardist Lachy Doley; local Cork guitarist Conor Brady; and Aongus Ralston of The Waterboys on bass.
And then Joe says: "Please give a big welcome to Gerry McAvoy on the next two songs."
So Joe says by way of introducing Rory’s bass player on so many epic tours and albums, including . “You’ll know him from Rory’s band.”
A huge volley of approval greets the entry onstage of McAvoy for and .
“About a year and a half ago, Peter Aiken asked me if I’d play the Marquee. Without hesitating, I said ‘Fuck yeah’. But then there was a twist. We met my friend Donal Gallagher and his son Daniel; the twist was that it was a night of Rory’s song. I said ‘Fuck Yeah’.”
was recorded in Belfast, Dublin, and Cork, and was the centrepiece of Tuesday night's gig: , , , , , , , , and .
It also featured other Rory favourites, including , , , , and .
In his own right, Bonamassa impresses as a singer. But all 100% of this show is a pure ode to one of humanity’s all-time greatest axemen, adored by everyone from Slash and Johnny Marr to, of course, Joe Bonamassa.
The encore of features Joe playing solo on one of Gallagher's own acoustic guitars. Rory had picked up the 1930 National Triolian Resonator for about £100 while on tour in the USA in 1973, and it was bought by a fan last year at auction for £95,650. Thank you, fan. Joe said:
“I’m trying my best with this one. I’m trying my best with all these songs.”
What a show. Apologies to Castlebar, but roll over Joe Dolan: the phrase ‘There’s no show like a Joe Show’ has a new hero; he’s Joe Bonamassa, and this generation’s undisputed king of the Blues.
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