Live in Europe

Orpheus Listening Challenge 2023: #34 An album with the name of a country or continent in its title (40th Album)

At first, it was for this category, but the length put me off, so we'll have to settle with this one.

This is my first time experiencing a live set from Rory, whom I've heard on studio discs before. I've loved him in the studio, but this live album is something else. A rocking album that showcases his immense talent as a showman and as a good guitarist. The status as one of the best is backed up here.

The thing that's understated here is just how bloody loud and full of music this thing is. Just listen to "Laundromat" to know what I'm talking about, but even past that, in the quieter, more folk oriented parts, you can still feel the tension and the loudness of the sparse moments of silence. It's a testament to Rory's command over not just volume but also the ability to captivate in quieter interludes, and move the crowd at any moment. Also worth mentioning is the double entendre of the production being slick, but sounding rough around the edges to give the feel of a true blueser of an album.