Calling Card

Calling Card is the sixth studio release by Irish singer/guitarist Rory Gallagher. A 1976 release, it was his second of four albums released on Chrysalis Records in the 1970s. Deep Purple/Rainbow bass guitarist Roger Glover co-produced with Gallagher: it was the only time that Gallagher worked with a “name” producer. It also marked the final appearances of longtime Gallagher bandmates Rod de’Ath (drums) and Lou Martin (keyboards); Gallagher would revamp the band after the ensuing tour, retaining only his long time bass guitarist Gerry McAvoy.

Recording

The sessions for the album bagan at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, in the summer of 1976. Glover came onboard as co-producer after having met Gallagher when the latter opened for Deep Purple on an American tour. The choice of Glover signified a shift in the direction of straight hard rock for Gallagher. Nevertheless, Calling Card is one of his most diverse albums, containing straight hard rock (“Moonchild”, “Secret Agent”), jazz (the title track), acoustic ballads (“I’ll Admit You’re Gone”, “Edged In Blue”) and traditional irish folk (“Barley And Grape Rag”) among other genres.

Reaction

The album is often considered one of Gallagher’s finest studio offerings with AllMusicGuide giving the album 4.5 stars out of 5. In its August 2005 issue, Guitar Player’s “Oeuvre Easy” feature on Gallagher praised its “brilliant songs” and “rockin’ edge” and listed it in the “Inspired” section of his catalogue. Irish folk group The Dubliners later covered “Barley And Grape Rag” on their 1992 release, 30 Years A-Grayin’.