Joe Bonamassa Releases New Live Singles
“Bad Penny” & “Back On My Stompin’ Ground”
From Upcoming Album The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork
Out Now – Listen HERE
WATCH “Bad Penny (Live)” Video
The Spirit of Rory Live From Cork
CD/DVD, CD/Blu-ray & Vinyl Arrive June 19th via J&R Adventures
Pre-Order the album from UK & Europe HERE
Pre-Order the album from North America HERE
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.
