Thin Lizzy - Vagabonds of the Western World
by Dan MacIntosh
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Vagabonds of the Western World finds Thin Lizzy in its early incarnation. This was back in 1973, when Eric Bell was guitarist in the power trio. It was before Gary Moore joined the band. Most probably didn't board the Thin Lizzy train until Jailbreak and The Boys Are Back in Town. Yet there are plenty of good reasons to get hip to Thin Lizzy's beginnings.
The best song on this collection, which also includes an extra disc of mostly BBC Radio recordings, is The Rocker. It sounds a little clich�d now � what, bragging about being tough, riding motorcycles and enticing females to go with the cool guy � but it's still effective. Phil Lynott had that Irish gift of being a storyteller, even though he told his stories with hard rock. Bell was also able to stretch out and really show what he could do with a guitar. You also have to love the way Lynott turned Mother Nature into Mama Nature in Mama Nature Said.
One called The Hero and the Madman is one of the album's few missteps. It's a rock & roll fairytale, which tries to be fun and silly, but just comes off silly. However, the most of this CD contains great playing and Lynott's always-compelling singing. You're left with the impression that Lynott was the real deal when it came to being a rocker. He didn't just play rock & roll; he was rock & roll.
Bands like U2 have pointed to Thin Lizzy as an influence and inspiration. These two bands don't sound alike at all. Nevertheless, these two acts are responsible for making some of the best Irish music ever. It's because they're real. Thin Lizzy was never a group of posers, nor is U2 now. Thin Lizzy is one of those great bands that sometimes overlooked when it comes to considering the best of the best. With this reissue, here's your chance to give the group the attention they so rightfully deserve.
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