BLUE NOTES

The Irish singer-songwriter Rory Gallagher, who died at the age of only 47 in 1995, had a short but prolific career, releasing six studio and live albums with his early band Taste, and a further 14 under his own name. On the latter records he was regularly accompanied by bassist Gerry McAvoy, who recalls the experience with BP, as a new, 50th anniversary box set of Gallagher’s eponymous 1971 debut album is released, including liner notes by McAvoy.

The new box set must stir up some great memories for you, Gerry.

Absolutely. I was a kid—I was only 19—so to get the chance to play on that album was beyond my wildest dreams. I was a fan of Rory’s, having seen his band Taste in Belfast when they played the local clubs. Rory was a bit of a star around town—he had this aura about him. People would