Thin Lizzy

YYYYuuuuuuuuuuuuCCCCCCCCCCCkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. ......................

The most over-rated band in the Brutish musical press

Not bad musicians (Robertson, Lynott, Moore and Gorham are all apt, but Downey is rather sub-par IMHO) , but there stule of journeyman of rock'n roll is completely uninventive, but the rebellious touch should've made them almost punk.

All about live (they were good on stage, mostly because of Lynott) reputation and a few correct tracks (the trouble was that they tried to hard to sell and it affected their songwriting to appear more commercial than they should've been), but album-wise , there is not one single to stand above the average of average.

Thin Lizzy were a great band in the 70s and early 80s but their studio albums were very uneven.I always stated that their best album would always be a "Best Of" and that they were best seen live.Live And Dangerous fits that bill on both counts and delivers great hard rock in spades. One of the greatest live albums of all time and all self-respecting rock fans should own a copy.

Of the albums above I would vote for Black Rose just ahead of Jailbreak. The title track is my favourite Lizzy track ahead of Emerald,Still In Love With You and the ubiquitous Boys Are Back In Town.

Regular guitarist in the 70s Brian Robertson was a talented young star,whilst Scott Gorham was more of a week link. Legend had it that his parts on Black Rose (the title track from the eponymous album) had to be played by Gary Moore who was with the band at that time (and indeed was an on-off member throughout their career) because the fast bits (Irish folk medleys played at incredible speed by Moore) were too difficult for him.Its a brilliant track and the likes of Petrucci and Malmsteen should take note that you can play a tune and play at breakneck speed if you are good enough! Moore was certainly that and is very under-rated on this site.

I know it's not a studio album (obviously), but "Live and Dangerous" is the only album by them I listen to regularly.

My claim to fame, Brian Robertson was in my year at school.

Jailbreak is the only one I'm really familiar with. As others have said, "Live and Dangerous" is their best  - I feel a lot of their studio stuff didn't really capture their power. They recorded some of the best harmony guitar work ever - just listen to "Southbound", "Still in love with you", "Boys are back" etc etc.

Seems a shame that Scott Gorham's wife thinks he's only quite a nice bloke though.

Syzygy wrote: Of the studio albums, Jailbreak is my favourite, but as Tony, Chopper, Easy Livin and other rock fans of discerning taste know, Live and Dangerous is the only essential Lizzy album, and I have fond memories of seeing them live in the late 70s.

Me too. Actually they were the first band I ever saw, supporting Bachman Turner Overdrive at the Hammersmith Odeon. I was probably about 14 at the time and they were too loud for my young and sensitive ears, so I had to go and stand right at the back!