DESCRIPTION:
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 began 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 Deep Purple-like hard rock ("Moonchild", "Secret Agent"), jazz-rock (the title track, "Jacknife Beat"), acoustic ballads ("I'll Admit You're Gone") and traditional Irish folk ("Barley and Grape Rag") among other genres.

Reaction
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 4.5/5 stars [1]

The album is often considered one of Gallagher's finest studio offerings with Allmusic 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-Greying.

1999 remaster

The album was reissued by Buddah Records in 1999 along with the rest of Gallagher's catalogue. As with the rest of the reissues, the album featured remastered sound, newly-written liner notes by Gallagher's brother Donal, and bonus tracks "Rue the Day" and "Public Enemy" (an early version of a track that later appeared on Gallagher's 1979 album Top Priority).

Track listing

All songs composed by Rory Gallagher.

"Do You Read Me" -- 5:20
"Country Mile" -- 3:18
"Moonchild" -- 4:48
"Calling Card" -- 5:24
"I'll Admit You're Gone" -- 4:25
"Secret Agent" -- 5:45
"Jack-Knife Beat" -- 7:04
"Edged in Blue" -- 5:31
"Barley and Grape Rag" -- 3:39
"Rue the Day" -- 4:14 (bonus track)
"Public Enemy" (B-Side Version) -- 4:35 (bonus track)

Musicians

Rory Gallagher -- vocals, guitar and harmonica
Gerry McAvoy -- bass guitar
Lou Martin -- keyboards
Rod de'Ath -- drums