Rory Gallagher - Kickback City (2013) 3CD

Kickback City is a new compilation of crime noir inspired music from Rory Gallagher that is a perfect marriage of content and presentation.

Three CDs come packaged in a glossy bookset, featuring The Lie Factory, an exclusive new ‘novella’ by Ian Rankin. The story comes stunningly illustrated in full graphic novel style by Timothy Truman. The first disc here features a selection of 14 studio recordings from the late rock-blues guitarist, with a second CD offering a selection of live performances. The third disc has actor Aidan Quinn narrating Ian Rankin’s story. The set also includes four glossy Lie Factory postcards.

The presentation is truly fantastic, and the whole crime novel concept works beautifully. In an age of cost-cutting and budget reissues, you have to admire conviction with which this set has been produced. It’s sure to attract a new audience to the talents of the Irish musician, and we it is a commercial success, in the hope that it encourages record labels to match these high standards with their reissues.