A year after the huge success of ‘Photo-Finish’ Rory returned to Dieter Dierks studio in Germany to record Top Priority, his fourth album for Chrysalis.

The year in-between saw Rory touring extensively in the States and receiving great press both at home and abroad. Chrysalis was keen to keep this momentum going and promised to make this new album their ‘top priority’. In typical Rory style he named the album after their promise so that no one at the record company would be able to forget their guarantee.

The driving urgency of Follow Me sets the tone for this energetic and exciting album. This song quickly became a live standard.

In Philby Rory draws parallels between his transitory life on the road to that of arch spy Kim Philby. For this track Rory plays a rare 60s Coral Electric Sitar hired from Pete Townsend, which embellishes the tracks ‘eastern block’ feel.

Wayward Child is a straight up rock track with the sort of infectious hook that Rory can deliver.

Keychain is a great blues number with a lyric describing a man looking to escape his past.

From the first lick of At The Depot you can feel Rory’s exuberance and energy in this jumping rock ‘n’ roll track.

No live performance was complete without Bad Penny, this big southern rock number. Again Rory uses a sitar to add texture to the song.

At the time of Top Priority’s release Rory’s fear of flying was worsening, whilst touring commitments around the World were increasing. Just Hit Town is Rory talking of his fears but declaring he has no intention to change his lifestyle to hide from them.