It does seem ironic to review this new release, Still Dangerous, from Thin Lizzy considering that I recently reviewed The Answer’s latest album, Everyday Demons which is a band from Ireland like Thin Lizzy and highly influenced. I believe that the bass player from The Answer plays Phil Lynott’s bass. Nevertheless, I think Still Dangerous warrants a review, because not only is Thin Lizzy an important rock band, but this album is excellent and contains historical recording of a rock band in top form. It isn’t lost on me that the Irish are known for their drinking and the Drunken Bastard is also known for his drinking.
Thin Lizzy is a bit of an anomaly in hard rock music. First, Phil Lynott, the singer/bass player/song writer for the band is not your average run of the mill song writer. His songs were very literate pulling from the vastness of Irish literary tradition like most song writers from Ireland. He incorporated everyday dramas into his songs much like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, but he had a twin guitar attack to back him up. Lynott was also a black man in a hard rock genre that is dominated by those with fairer skin. He brought his soulful voice and outsider attitude to his songs with a remarkable effect.
Still Dangerous is a culmination of all good things that is Thin Lizzy live in concert. Thin Lizzy is considered one of the greatest live bands of all time and we have the proof on this little silver platter. I’ll have to say that this album stands out for its production and not just for the songs. These recordings were rescued from a dark place and brought to the light by Scott Gorham, the bands primary guitarist. Upon rescue, Gorham set out to restore the recordings and bring them to all Thin Lizzy fans. The production is remarkable and might stand as the best Thin Lizzy live recording. Many new releases suffer from over compression as record labels battle in the loudness wars leaving the consumers as victims. Still Dangerous doesn’t suffer from this. Cymbals sound like cymbals and not hisses, bass notes don’t sound like they are being played on a cardboard box, and I can even find all the instruments at any given time. Thank you!
The songs that you would expect on this CD, “Boys Are Back in Town” and “Jailbreak” are performed flawlessly. We also get, “Massacre” and “Opium Trail.” These two are among my favorite Thin Lizzy tunes. Not to mention, “Soldier of Fortune” and “Cowboy Song.” The only thing that I wish is that there were more songs, but I understand that these recording were restored and sometimes less is more when the goal is to produce the best product possible. Often times with rescued recordings, the quality is subpar and of interest to only the hard core fans. This recording is recommended for the fans of rock n’ roll and Thin Lizzy, it’s almost a masterpiece.
Think this rocks? Check out this:
|
| 
| Site Map | A Do Follow blog
RSS Feed
Twitter
Good to hear some classic Thin Lizzy, an experience unmatched.
Most welcome. I saw them on the UK leg,of this, the Bad Reputation tour in October / November ‘77 at the Birmingham Odeon and was dissappointed to buggery when the opener “Soldier Of Fortune” was sliced off the front of “Live and Dangerous” . “Me And The Boys” was the encore and Phil was struggling with a throat infection. Brilliant night though , miss them..