What does it sound like?:
This is an album that looks back at the earliest years of Thin Lizzy’s career, reimagining some of their most iconic tracks from that period. While scouring the archives for bonus material for a reissue of Vagabonds of the Western World, work in progress versions of a number of songs were unearthed. It’s these pieces, featuring original vocals and instrumentation, that have now been bolstered by Eric Bell’s new acoustic guitar overdubs to form the basis of this album. At first it feels rather strange to hear the music in this format, but familiar songs such as Shades of a Blue Orphanage, A Song For While I’m Away and of course Whiskey in the Jar are given something of a new lease of life, with Phil Lynott’s vocals appearing more sensitive and intimate, a facet which was perhaps rather lost in the hard rock years that were to eventually follow. Overall, the whole project has been created very respectfully, staying true to the band’s roots and, while it’s not essential, if it brings more attention to their often overlooked early recordings and bolsters their overall legacy then that surely can only be a good thing.
What does it all *mean*?
The cover artwork pays homage to that used on the original Vagabonds album.
Goes well with…
Shining new light through old windows.
Release Date:
24 Jan
Might suit people who like…
Think of this as the MTV Unplugged album that never was.
Thanks for reviewing Bargepole. I have this on order and looking forward to hearing it.
I’m a massive Lizzy fan and think the Eric Bell era albums are up there with their best (I probably now play the 1971-1973 albums more than the ‘classic’ line up period) and it will be interesting to hear the selected tracks in this format. Will also hopefully encourage some to listen to the original albums, Eric Bell is a guitarist like no other!
Agree. Those early records have Lynott’s best writing- though maybe they don’t have the same appeal for the later fans.
Who knew that Godley & Creme were in Thin Lizzy?
A statue should be commissioned…
What better way to present an acoustic album, than with a picture of Phil rocking out in full Live and Dangerous mode.
Couldn’t they find a decent comic book artist to do the cover illustration?
This looks like a biro drawing from some 12-year old’s exercise book….