Eagle Rock Entertainment has set an April 12 release date for Rory Gallagher's Irish Tour '74 on CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, and 2LP vinyl.
The April 12 multi-format release triggers a 2011 bonanza for the legion of Gallagher fans worldwide. Eagle Rock Entertainment plans a busy year for the restoration, re-release and re-mastering of Gallagher's entire catalog.

Rory Gallagher's Irish Tour '74 is a stunning document of extraordinary blues-rock power from one of the world's greatest guitarists of all-time.

Captured at a time when Gallagher was voted the #1 guitar player by Melody Maker Magazine, Irish Tour is a brilliant showcase of his musical prowess. Award-winning filmmaker Tony Palmer followed Gallagher around Ireland as audiences went wild night after night. The film—which enjoyed a successful run in theaters—has been beautifully restored and remastered from the original footage, and is making its Blu-Ray debut.

The two-hour DVD/Blu-Ray features nine jams—"Walk On Hot Coals," "Tattoo'd Lady," "Who's That Coming," "A Million Miles Away," "Going To My Home Town," "Cradle Rock," "As The Crow Flies," "Hands Off" and "Bullfrog Blues"—as well as bonus home movie footage from Gallagher's Japanese tour of the same year. Also on the DVD/Blu-ray is the 1972 RTE (Irish television network) half-hour documentary "Rory Gallagher: Music Makers." Highlights on this rare gem include "Toredown," "Laundromat," "Pistol Slapper Blues," and "Don't Know Where I'm Going."

Regarded as one of the greatest live albums of all time, the Irish Tour CD/vinyl captures Rory's exceptional playing, sans overdubs and studio fixes. The sound is raw, real Rory. The CD's 10 tracks are "Cradle Rock," "I Wonder Who," "Tattoo'd Lady," "Too Much Alcohol," "As The Crow Flies," "A Million Miles Away," "Walk On Hot Coals," "Who's That Comin'," "Back On My Stompin' Ground" and "Maritime." The vinyl is a double-album. Side A has "Cradle Rock," "I Wonder Who" and "Tattoo'd Lady." Side B has "Too Much Alcohol," "As The Crow Flies" and "A Million Miles Away." Side C has ""Walk On Hot Coals" and "Who's That Comin'." Side D has "Back On My Stompin' Ground" and "Maritime."

Rory Gallagher (1948-1995) is as popular now 16 years after his death as he ever was. His original band, Taste, in 1967, was a power trio that stretched the limits of what electricity could do to the blues. From his first solo album in 1970 throughout the rest of his tragically shortened life at age 47 due to complications of a liver transplant, his music has inspired millions with its refusal to pander to trends or even radio.

Turning down an offer to join The Rolling Stones, Gallagher was passionately, religiously dedicated to his craft and his singular style. Artists as diverse as Slash, Brian May, The Edge, Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest), Janick Gers (Iron Maiden) and many others have cited him as a major influence. A feature documentary, Ghost Blues (2010 – Eagle Rock Entertainment), created even more interest in his legendary career.

CD:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NDVK1I/?tag=imwan-20

DVD:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NDJXO4/?tag=imwan-20

Blu-ray:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NDJXTY/?tag=imwan-20

I was fine with the previous remasters although I know Geff did not like them. I'd like to know who is doing these this time around. Doesn't look like any bonus material here.
I'd also like to know the plans for the rest of the catalogue.
Not sure if there's any need for me to buy these again, but I will if there's a reason to. Irish Tour '74 is one of the best live albums ever hands down though!

Looks like the new DVD is the same as the past one.
I have all Rory's DVDs etc
I'll pass on this.

I received the Blu ray from Amazon but it wouldn't play[my player kept making weird noises then I kept getting a"This disc cannot be played message"]so i'm going to throw the disc out[only cost me $6 after using a $14 gift card]and buy a new one from Barnes & Noble[returning anything from Amazon's too much of a hassle imho]......i'm hoping the next disc'll play.[is this disc really region free?]......I picked up a 2nd copy today[4/18] which did eventually play but still had a glitch or 2.

It appears that there isn't a thread for the entire 2011 Eagle reissue campaign so I'll comment here.

I had the chance today to compare the 2000 Tatoo vs the 2011.

Strange results. per the booklets, both were mastered by "Tony Arnold At Courthouse".

Both also have identical running times to the second.

And finally the advertising campaign for Irish Tour enclosed with this states "Remastered video & Reissued audio".

With all that said, I didn't find the 2011 to be quite a bright as the 2000. It's not a huge difference, but it is a difference. I found it most noticeable on
Cradle Rock. On the 2000 the cymbals on CR are so bright they turn into pure distortion. it's not as bad on the 2011.

Caveat: Even in the days of vinyl, i don't remember Tattoo ever sounding good, but my memory says it was muddy, not bright!

When I compared them today, I was thinking that if the original LP had been as bright as the 2000 cd, I would have never fallen in love with this album.

I am guessing they took the 2000 master & dialed 3-5k down a bit. I would be curious to know the facts, though.

This edition does sound a LITTLE better, but I am really hesitant to replace the entire catalog again.

The cover shows Rory at a later time, 1990s ??

Been listening to the Blu. On my computer, it sounds pretty good, though it is compressed (main program DR9, Doc #2 DR7 (brickwalled), oddly the one lossy dolby doc #1 is a DR11!) Only Eagle would compress (main movie) & brickwall (doc #2) hi rez audio & not Dolby..............

I haven't played it on my main system yet. It is quite different then the CD, I'll be keeping both.

I take back my earlier comment; the main movie sounds pretty ratty even at 24/48 on my pc.

Edit: I just played a bit of it on my main system. Do NOT buy the b-r for the sound. The picture is fine; the sound is amongst the worst 24 bit i have ever heard.