Taste: Taste (Vinyl LP)

Before embarking on a highly successful solo career, Rory Gallagher fronted Taste - a highly influential Irish blues rock power trio that sound-wise had many things in common with contemporaries Cream.

Besides Gallagher, Taste consisted of Charlie McCracken on bass (who jammed with Steve Winwood and Spencer Davis Group just prior to their breakthrough) and John Wilson, who played with Them before their popularity soared. Charlie and John lay out perfect rhythms for a very young Gallagher in his pre-twenties, who showed heaps of talent for making his guitar sing the way only Rory can.

Taste's eponymous debut album from 1969 contains harder edged rock jams like "Blister On The Moon" but also blues traditionals like Leadbelly's "Leaving Blues" and "Catfish". Crucial material for any blues or rock fan.

1. Blister On The Moon
2. Leaving Blues
3. Sugar Mama
4. Hail
5. Born On The Wrong Side Of Time
6. Dual Carriageway Pain
7. Same Old Story
8. Catfish
9. I'm Moving On