Joe Bonamassa celebrates Rory Gallagher’s legacy on 'The Spirit Of Rory - Live From Cork'
Releases 'Walk On Hot Coals'
15-04-2026
Joe Bonamassa has announced the upcoming release of The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork, a powerful live album and film capturing his deeply personal tribute to Irish blues guitar legend Rory Gallagher, recorded during a series of sold-out performances in Gallagher’s hometown of Cork, Ireland last summer. The album will be released June 19th via Bonamassa’s own J&R Adventures, with pre-orders starting today. Listen to the first three live singles: Walk On Hot Coals (Live)”, “Bullfrog Blues (Live)”, and “Who’s That Coming (Live).” A video for the live performance for “Walk On Hot Coals” is now available.
Watch “Walk On Hot Coals” below.
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Across 14 hand picked songs, The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork moves through the many sides of Gallagher’s catalog – from the blistering attack of “Walk On Hot Coals” and “Bullfrog Blues” to the emotional sweep of “A Million Miles Away,” which will serve as the album’s focus track upon release. Other highlights include “Tattoo’d Lady,” “Bad Penny,” “I Fall Apart,” “Calling Card,” and “Cradle Rock,” each delivered with fire and conviction while honoring the shape and soul of the originals.
The release also captures several moments that carried special meaning across the Cork run, including Bonamassa’s performance of “As The Crow Flies” on Gallagher’s own 1930 National Triolian resonator guitar, loaned by the Cork Public Museum. It was a tangible connection to the artist whose presence still looms so large over the city and over generations of guitar players who followed him.
Additional footage, included on DVD and Blu-ray editions, expands the story with bonus material including The Inspiration of Rory, featuring conversations with Brian May and Slash, along with Rory’s Acoustic Guitar and Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away. Together, the audio and visual components offer a fuller picture of what these performances meant to Bonamassa, to Gallagher’s family, and to the fans who packed the room night after night.
In the end, Bonamassa sees the album as an offering – his band’s best attempt to honor a musician whose work helped shape his own. “What you hear on these recordings is our best effort to pay tribute to Rory Gallagher, a man I never met, but admire so deeply,” he writes. “His music is part of me and I’m grateful that we were able to contribute in some small way to his ongoing legacy.”
CD Track Listing
- Cradle Rock (Live)
- Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
- Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
- I Wonder Who (Live)
- Calling Card (Live)
- Who’s That Coming? (Live)
- Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
- Bullfrog Blues (Live)
- Treat Her Right (Live)
- Bad Penny (Live)
- I Fall Apart (Live)
- A Million Miles Away (Live)
- As The Crow Flies (Live)
- Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
DVD / Blu-Ray
1. The Spirit Of Rory (Opening Scene)
2. Cradle Rock
3. Walk On Hot Coals
4. Tattoo’d Lady
5. I Wonder Who
6. Calling Card
7. Who’s That Coming?
8. Messin’ With The Kid
9. Band Introductions
10. Bullfrog Blues
11. Treat Her Right
12. Bad Penny
13. I Fall Apart
14. A Million Miles Away
15. As The Crow Flies
16. Back On My Stompin’ Ground
17. Ballycotton (End Credits)
DVD / Blu-Ray Bonus Features:
- Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away
- Rory’s Acoustic Guitar
- The Inspiration of Rory (A Conversation with Brian May & Slash)
Vinyl (180 gram Red Marble Double LP)
Side A
1. Cradle Rock (Live)
2. Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
3. Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
4. I Wonder Who (Live)
Side B
5. Calling Card (Live)
6. Who’s That Coming? (Live)
7. Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
8. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
Side C
9. Treat Her Right (Live)
10. Bad Penny (Live)
11. I Fall Apart (Live)
Side D
12. A Million Miles Away (Live)
13. As The Crow Flies (Live)
14. Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
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