Joe Bonamassa has released two new live singles, ‘Bad Penny (Live)‘ and ‘Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)‘ from his upcoming album and concert film ‘The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork‘, arriving June 19th via J&R Adventures. Recorded during Bonamassa’s sold-out tribute performances in Cork, Ireland, the songs continue to capture the emotional weight, electricity, and deep personal connection that shaped the entire project.
The setlist for ‘The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork‘ was also shaped in part by Gallagher’s legendary Irish Tour ’74 era and the raw live energy that defined that chapter of his career. While songs like “Bad Penny” came from later periods of Gallagher’s catalogue, tracks such as ‘Back On My Stompin’ Ground‘ connected more directly to the spirit of the original Irish Tour performances – rooted in place, identity, and the uniquely visceral relationship Gallagher had with Irish audiences. That influence carried through the Cork performances, where Bonamassa and the band approached the material with the same sense of immediacy and emotional honesty that made Gallagher’s live recordings so enduring.
Originally released in 1979 on Gallagher’s ‘Top Priority‘ album, ‘Bad Penny‘ became one of Rory Gallagher’s signature songs – a tough, swaggering blues-rock track built around the idea that trouble always has a way of finding its way back around. Over the years, the song became a staple of Gallagher’s live shows, fuelled by its punchy groove, sharp guitar attack, and defiant spirit.
Bonamassa’s version taps directly into that energy. Rather than smooth out the rough edges, the performance leans into the tension and drive that made the original such a fan favorite, with the Cork crowd responding to every turn. The result feels loose, loud, and deeply connected to the spirit of Gallagher’s live performances without slipping into imitation.
The release of ‘Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)‘ offers a very different side of Gallagher’s catalogue. Originally appearing on his 1973 album ‘Blueprint‘, the song blended blues, folk, and rock influences into something deeply rooted in place and identity. Written during a period when Gallagher was re-establishing himself creatively after the breakup of Taste, the track carries a strong sense of return and belonging, themes that took on even greater resonance during Bonamassa’s performances in Cork.
That emotional connection comes through clearly in the live recording. Performed in Gallagher’s hometown, the song became one of the most personal moments of the entire set, with Bonamassa and the band allowing the arrangement room to breathe while the audience carried much of the emotional weight alongside them. In many ways, it reflects the larger spirit of the project itself: musicians returning to the music and legacy that shaped them.
Early response to the project has reflected that same spirit, with Guitarist Magazine noting that “Joe does his hero proud,” calling the performance “a very fitting affectionate tribute to one of the notable blues guitarists of our age.”
‘The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork‘ documents Bonamassa’s full tribute set, performed with the blessing of Gallagher’s family and recorded across a three-night stand that grew out of an initially planned one-off concert. The overwhelming local response quickly transformed the event into something much larger, with fans travelling from around the world to celebrate Gallagher’s music in the city most closely tied to his legacy.
Across 14 songs, the album captures the many dimensions of Gallagher’s catalogue, from the explosive intensity of ‘Walk On Hot Coals‘ and ‘Bullfrog Blues‘ to more reflective performances like ‘Tattoo’d Lady‘, and ‘I Fall Apart‘. Additional footage included on the DVD and Blu-ray editions expands the story further with bonus features including The Inspiration of Rory, featuring conversations with Brian May and Slash, alongside behind-the-scenes moments from Cork and a closer look at the instruments and history surrounding Gallagher’s music.
As the release date approaches, ‘Bad Penny (Live)‘ and ‘Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)‘ continue to highlight the balance at the center of ‘The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork‘ – honouring Gallagher’s songs faithfully while capturing the raw, communal energy that made them endure in the first place.
Pre-Order the album from UK & Europe – here
Pre-Order the album from North America – here
CD Track Listing:
- Cradle Rock (Live)
- Walk On Hot Coals (Live)
- Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
- I Wonder Who (Live)
- Calling Card (Live)
- Who’s That Coming? (Live)
- Messin’ With The Kid (Live)
- Bullfrog Blues (Live)
- Treat Her Right (Live)
- Bad Penny (Live)
- I Fall Apart (Live)
- A Million Miles Away (Live)
- As The Crow Flies (Live)
- Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
DVD / Blu-ray
- The Spirit Of Rory (Opening Scene)
- Cradle Rock
- Walk On Hot Coals
- Tattoo’d Lady
- I Wonder Who
- Calling Card
- Who’s That Coming?
- Messin’ With The Kid
- Band Introductions
- Bullfrog Blues
- Treat Her Right
- Bad Penny
- I Fall Apart
- A Million Miles Away
- As The Crow Flies
- Back On My Stompin’ Ground
- 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)
inyl (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 w/ JJ Grey & Mofro & D.K. Harrell
June 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort
June 28 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center
July 29 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap w/ Gov’t Mule
July 31 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater w/ Gov’t Mule
August 1 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule
August 3 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent
August 5 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater w/ JJ Grey & Mofro
August 7 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion
August 8 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule
August 9 – Youngstown, OH – The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre w/ Gov’t Mule
August 12 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival
August 14 – Interlochen, MI – Kresge Auditorium
August 15 – Welch, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino w/ Gov’t Mule
August 16 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Theater w/ Gov’t Mule
August 19 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic Center
August 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater
August 23 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
EU Autumn Tour 2026
October 21 – Helsinki, FL – Veikkaus Arena
October 23 – Stockholm, SE – Stockholm Avicii Arena
October 24 – Oslo, NO – Oslo Spektrum
October 25 – Gothenburg, SE – Göteborg Partille Arena
October 27 – Copenhagen, DK – K.B. Hallen København
October 29 – Rostock, DE – Stadthalle Rostock
October 30 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena
October 31 – Dortmund, DE – Westfalenhalle
November 3 – Basel, CH – Baloise Session
November 4 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum
About Joe Bonamassa:
Blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performing musicians of today. As a four-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and 15x Blues Music Award Nominee (4-time winner), he achieved his 29th No.1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart with his most recent studio album ‘Breakthrough‘. Only in his mid-40s, Bonamassa is a living legend with an astounding multi-genre catalogue. He has released more than 51 albums, including studio and live recordings, as well as collaborative albums with his adventurous side projects: Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party.
A prolific writer who is always on the hunt to expand his eclectic musical horizons, Bonamassa has a limitless work ethic whether it’s in the studio, on the road, or working with other artists to spur new music. In recent years, he has produced an immense number of albums including Joanne Shaw Taylor, Marc Broussard, Larry McCray, Jimmy Hall, and others for his independent labels Journeyman Records and KTBA Records, and has also launched Journeyman LLC, a full-service artist management, record label, concert promotion, and marketing company that builds awareness for independent artists worldwide. Visit http://www.jbonamassa.com for more information.
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