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Irish blues guitarist Rory Gallagher grew up in County Cork. (That happens to be where the Kidney Clan comes from, but that's not why I like this new CD.) Gallagher passed away seven years ago. He had long talked of doing an all acoustic album. He was in the habit of including an acoustic song on his albums, and long-time fans appreciated these tidbits! His brother Donal, searched through boxes of old tapes to come up with a new collection of unplugged blues and guitar workouts. And it's a Corker!

Wheels Within Wheels kicks off with the title track, a beautiful song, with a slightly awkward guitar riff. It sets the tone for what is to come. The next track is "Flight to Paradise" which came from a short acoustic guitar tour, which featured David Lindley, Richard Thompson, Juan Martin and Rory. Martin and Gallagher combine for a flamenco flavoured tour de force. "As The Crow Flies" is a Tony Joe White tune which Rory plays on slide guitar. Very tasty.

"Lonesome Highway" is from 1975, it has an acoustic feel although it utilizes electric guitar. Rory was adamant that "acoustic" not limit the use of "electric." He plays two guitar duets, on English folk material with two master guitarists. "Bratacha Dubha" ("Black Flags") finds him head to head with Martin Carthy. And "She Moved Thro' the Fair/Ann Cran Ull" features Bert Jansch. Rory more than holds his own in such fine company. "Barley & Grape Rag" is a fun turn fronting Ronnie Drew and the Dubliners. Sounds like they had a good time in the studio that night.

The next two cuts are "The Cuckoo" and "Deep Elm Blues" recorded with Belgian folk musician Roland van Campenhout. There's a real American traditional sound to these tracks. Then follows three tracks from the 1994 Montreux Jazz Festival. Bela Fleck on banjo, Mark Feltham on harmonica and Rory on guitar. Slide guitar solo on "Amazing Grace," then driving rhythm on "Walkin' Blues," and finally "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Fleck is tremendous. Blues banjo!

"Goin' to My Hometown" finds Rory playing mandolin with skiffle great Lonnie Donegan. Recorded in the early '80s, the rendition has so much life it's hard to believe that both participants are gone! Outstanding drums and bass too, by Ted McKenna and Gerry McAvoy. The album concludes with a brief solo rendition of a riff Rory had used in "It's Only Raining/Lonesome Highway," as it was untitled on the tape they called it "Lonesome Highway Refraining." It's a suitable, meditative, sad finale for a fine uplifting album.