Rory Gallagher - Tattoo [Remastered] (CD 2000)

For anyone new coming to Rory Gallagher's music, Tattoo ISN'T typical Gallagher - for a more immediate introduction try Top Priority or the live Stagestuck album, but for experienced Roryites, this Remastered CD is a revelation. Tattoo is Roray at his most experimental, moving well away from his blues roots with some (dare I say it) TASTE-ful playing and a wide range of styles. It's probably my favourite Gallagher album - certainly one that bears repeated listenings.
The re-mastering has been done sensitively, unlike with many that try to polish or even re-define the source material, this just cleans up the original tapes, retaining the period sound - it's still unashamedly a child of the 70s, valve amps, pokey keyboards and all.
Also, happliy, it is tsill the same cover image, unlike some of the other Gallgher re-releases with unimaginative photo covers replacing the originals. There are some new sleeve notes with some nice little insight though. The two extra tracks don't add anything and really are just for completeists.

All in all, well worth your time.