Rating : - Wrong Region, Wrong Time
Let me start by saying that over the past few months I purchased 8 CDs and 3 DVDs of Rory's music. Most everything is stellar, and I was looking forward to watching Live at the Cork Opera House. The DVD arrived several weeks after ordering and I could not wait to give it a listen. The packaging looked nice, but when I inserted the DVD it would not play (wrong region...I assume this was a European DVD). I had to settle for the computer to check it out. It was immediately clear that Rory was not on top of his form this night. He was beginning to show the effects of pills and drinking by this time (1987), and his energy and focus are low for most of the show. Even so, the playing is still brilliant at times, especially towards the end. Maybe because he was relieved to be putting it behind him, because I had the feeling that he was a bit embarrassed about his condition and knew that he was not as sharp as years past. That said, there is still some great music and the band holds up their end of the bargain with some particularly excellent harmonica work from Mark Feltham. But I have to say that this was not the Rory that I was hoping to see. I am spoiled on Irish Tour '74, and do not enjoy watching watching him deteriorate during the late 80s. I would also have liked to hear some commentary from the other band members, but none was provided.