Joe Bonamassa Releases The Spirit of Rory Live From Cork

Joe Bonamassa has officially released The Spirit of Rory Live From Cork, a powerful live album and concert film celebrating the music and enduring legacy of Irish guitar legend Rory Gallagher. Available now via J&R Adventures, the project captures Bonamassa’s sold-out tribute performances in Cork, Ireland, where Gallagher’s influence remains woven into the fabric of the city itself. Alongside the album release, Bonamassa has also unveiled the epic live performance video for the project’s emotional centerpiece, “A Million Miles Away (Live).”

Recorded with the blessing of Gallagher’s family and performed before passionate hometown audiences, The Spirit of Rory Live From Cork documents what many in attendance described as a once-in-a-lifetime musical event. A lifelong admirer of Gallagher, Bonamassa approached the material with deep reverence, bringing together a band capable of honoring the fire, spontaneity, and emotional honesty that defined Gallagher’s work while allowing the performances to breathe with their own energy.

Rory Gallagher remains one of Ireland’s most beloved musical figures, revered worldwide for a style that fused traditional electric blues with hard-rock intensity, Celtic influences, and fearless improvisation. His distinctive guitar tone, expressive slide work, and deeply emotional performances inspired generations of players, including Bonamassa himself. Together, the album and film capture both the scale of Gallagher’s influence and the deep personal connection his music continues to inspire among musicians and fans around the world.

At the heart of the release is “A Million Miles Away,” one of Gallagher’s most beloved and emotionally resonant compositions. Originally released on 1973’s Tattoo, with a legendary extended rendition appearing on Irish Tour ’74, the song captures themes of loneliness, longing, and emotional distance, pairing poetic imagery with one of Gallagher’s most vulnerable vocal performances. Joe’s DVD bonus features include a special interview with Rory’s brother, Dónal, who recounts the story behind the song’s creation and visits the dramatic Irish cliffs whose rugged beauty helped inspire its emotional power.

Bonamassa’s interpretation embraces that emotional core. Filmed in front of a packed Cork audience, the performance unfolds with patience and restraint before building into a soaring guitar statement that reflects both Gallagher’s influence and Bonamassa’s own musical voice. The result serves as a fitting centerpiece for a project built on admiration, respect, and a shared love of the blues.

What began as a single tribute concert ultimately grew into a three-night sold-out run in Gallagher’s hometown, with fans traveling from around the world to celebrate the music. The atmosphere throughout the performances was electric, creating what Bonamassa describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of his career.

Early praise has already begun to reflect the significance of the project. Guitarist Magazine praised the release, writing, “Joe does his hero proud…a very fitting affectionate tribute to one of the most notable blues guitarists of our age.” Blues Matters hailed The Spirit of Rory as “one of the finest live albums ever produced,” while Powerplay awarded the project a perfect 10/10, writing that “Bonamassa has captured Gallagher’s genre-defining influence and honored it with flawless perfection.”

Joe performing at Live at the Marquee. Photo credit: Marcus Bird.

Across 14 carefully selected songs, The Spirit of Rory Live From Cork explores the full breadth of Gallagher’s catalog, from explosive live staples like “Walk on Hot Coals,” “Bullfrog Blues,” and “Bad Penny” to deeply personal performances including “Tattoo’d Lady” and “I Fall Apart.” The broader setlist was also inspired in part by the spirit of Gallagher’s legendary Irish Tour ’74 era, which first introduced many listeners, including Bonamassa, to Gallagher’s singular live power.

The project also includes several moments of special historical significance, including Bonamassa’s performance of “As the Crow Flies” on Gallagher’s own 1930 National Triolian resonator guitar, generously loaned by the Cork Public Museum. Additional DVD and Blu-ray bonus features include The Inspiration of Rory, featuring conversations with Brian May and Slash, along with Rory’s Acoustic Guitar and Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away.

In celebration of the album’s release, European fans can now enter a special raffle benefiting the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, with the chance to win a one-of-a-kind signed Rory tribute guitar.

Joe Bonamassa with Rory’s brother Dónal Gallagher and Irish promoter Peter Aiken.

The raffle runs from June 19 through July 20, with donations supporting KTBA’s ongoing mission of funding music education and assisting musicians in need. The centerpiece of the raffle is a Classic Series ’60s Fender Stratocaster personally purchased by Bonamassa at Cork’s legendary Crowley’s Music Centre and subsequently signed backstage by Bonamassa, members of the band, Rory Gallagher’s family, and others involved in the historic event. The prize package also includes a Joe-signed copy of the red marble double vinyl, a CD/DVD or CD/Blu-ray package, and a $100 merchandise credit to the Joe Bonamassa online store.

Ultimately, The Spirit of Rory Live From Cork stands as both a celebration and a thank-you letter—from one guitarist to another, from one generation of blues musicians to the next, and from a devoted fan to an artist whose influence continues to resonate decades after his passing.

As Bonamassa wrote in the project’s liner notes: “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. 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

1. Cradle Rock (Live)
2. Walk on Hot Coals (Live)
3. Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
4. I Wonder Who (Live)
5. Calling Card (Live)
6. Who’s That Coming? (Live)
7. Messin’ With the Kid (Live)
8. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
9. Treat Her Right (Live)
10. Bad Penny (Live)
11. I Fall Apart (Live)
12. A Million Miles Away (Live)
13. As the Crow Flies (Live)
14. 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)

U.S. Summer Tour 2026

June 26 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts with JJ Grey & Mofro and D.K. Harrell
June 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort
June 28 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center
July 4 – Sioux City, IA – Saturday in the Park
July 29 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap with Gov’t Mule
July 31 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater with Gov’t Mule
August 1 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion with Gov’t Mule
August 3 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent
August 5 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater with JJ Grey & Mofro
August 7 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion
August 8 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion with Gov’t Mule
August 9 – Youngstown, OH – The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre with Gov’t Mule
August 11 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights
August 12 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival
August 14 – Interlochen, MI – Kresge Auditorium with Gov’t Mule
August 15 – Welch, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino with Gov’t Mule
August 16 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Theater with Gov’t Mule
August 19 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic Center
August 20 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater
August 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Sandia Resort & Casino
August 23 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
September 26–27 – Austin, TX – Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival at Moody Center

European Fall Tour 2026

October 21 – Helsinki, Finland – Veikkaus Arena
October 23 – Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena
October 24 – Oslo, Norway – Oslo Spektrum
October 25 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Partille Arena
October 27 – Copenhagen, Denmark – K.B. Hallen
October 29 – Rostock, Germany – Stadthalle Rostock
October 30 – Berlin, Germany – Uber Arena
October 31 – Dortmund, Germany – Westfalenhalle
November 4 – Milan, Italy – Unipol Forum
November 6 – Toulouse, France – Zénith Toulouse Métropole
November 7 – Barcelona, Spain – Sant Jordi Club
November 8 – Madrid, Spain – Palacio Vistalegre
November 11 – Wrocław, Poland – Ethno Festival