34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally A Box Set From Underrated Irish Rockers, January 27, 2002
This review is from: Vagabonds Kings Warriors (Audio CD)
This is an import 4 cd box set anthology of Irish twin guitar rockers Thin Lizzy. I have been eagerly awaiting a comprehensive anthology of one of my favorite bands for some time. The guitarists in the band at one time or another have included the likes of Eric Bell, Gary Moore, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson, Snowy White, and John Sykes. The original band was a trio consisting of Eric Bell (guitar), Phil Lynott (bass & vocals), and Brian Downey (drums). This early edition of the band is spotlighted on the first disk of this set. This edition of the band was not as hard rocking as the later editions of the band. Highlights of this disk include their first hit "Whiskey In The Jar" and "Rocker". The version of "Rocker" is a longer version than the one on the 2 cd "Wild One" compilation. The long solo by Eric Bell is edited out of that version. The first disk contains a few rarities such as single b-sides, and songs from the "New Day" ep. I was disappointed that "Gonna Creep Up On You" one of the better songs from this period was not included.
The second disk begins with another non-lp b side from the Eric Bell edition of the band and then features a couple of tracks from Gary Moore's first tenure with the band. Then the classic twin guitar line up of the band is featured when Moore left as was replaced by the non Irish guitar duo of Scott Gorham from the U.S. and Brian Robertson from Scotland. This was my own personal favorite edition of the band. Highlights of the second disk include their biggest hit "The Boys Are Back In Town", a cover of Bob Segar's "Rosalie", "Cowboy Song" And "Emerald". Rarities include non-lp tracks like "Half Caste" and the "Fighting" lp outtake "Try A Little Harder".
The third disk continues with the Gorham/Robertson twin guitar line up through the departure of Robertson and his replacement with Gary Moore (again). Highlights of this disk include "Don't Believe A Word", and the hits "Dancing In Moonlight", "Waiting For An Alibi" and "Do Anything You Want To". Other notable cuts include "Parisienne Walkways" from Gary Moore's solo lp "Back On The Streets" which features Lynott and Downey, "Me And The Boys", a live single b-side from the Robertson/Gorham edition of the band, and "Just The Two Of Us" a non-lp b-side from the "Black Rose" sessions with Gary Moore. Their are also 3 live cuts from their essential "Live And Dangerous" lp.
The fourth disk features the Snowy White and John Sykes editions of the band and the addition of Darren Wharton on keyboards. The last disk also includes material from Phil Lynott's solo albums and singles like "Dear Miss Lonely Hearts", "King's Call", "Old Town", "Nineteen", and "A Night In The Life Of A Blues Singer". Highlights of this disk include "Killer On The Loose", "Chinatown", "Renegade" and "The Sun Goes Down". There are a number of rarities on this disk including a live version of "Sugar Blues" with Snowy White, "Don't Play Around" a non-lp b-side from the "Chinatown" sessions, "Song For Jimi", a reunion with Eric Bell which was given away with a magazine, and "Sisters Of Mercy" an unissued cut from Lynott's post Thin Lizzy band Grand Slam.
This set provides a good overview of an influential band and even though I rated this set 5 stars, there are a few changes I would have made. First, a couple of non-lp single sides "Trouble Boys" and "Memory Pain" were not included. Second, the Eric Bell period of the band could have been cut down to allow for material like "Sha-La-La", "Ballad Of A Hard Man", "Opium Trail", "Southbound", "Get Out Of Here", "Hey You", "Holy War" and "Baby Please Don't Go" from the twin guitar line ups of the band. Fourth no material from the "Life Live" album was included and for matter with the exception of "Me And The Boys" and "Sugar Blues" no live rarities were included from a band that was at their best in concert. In a perfect world a complete disk of live material would be included like on the great Wishbone Ash set "Distillation". A number of outtakes from the "Live And Dangerous" lp exist such as "Opium Trail" and "Bad Reputation" as well as live outtakes from the Snowy White era of the band which are included as a bonus disk on the import 2 cd version of the "Wild One" compilation. However, unfortunately not much live material was included. Despite these shortcomings this is the most representative anthology of one of great rock songwriters (Lynott) and the dual guitar attack of Thin Lizzy.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fans have most of this but, a great set for the new fan!!!, January 24, 2002
This review is from: Vagabonds Kings Warriors (Audio CD)
Title says it all: First of all if your collection of Thin Lizzy is limited then this is the box set for you...wonderful selection and great sound (the songs were re-mastered for this set and they sound "cleaner" then my old CD's (yes, I listened and compared)...For those of you who are fans THERE ARE SOME GEMS HERE...many B-sides are found throughout the set including: Dublin,Randolph's Tango, Here I go Again,Cruising In the Lizzy Mobile, Sitamoia,Halfcaste,Me and the Boys, Sugar Blues (Live),Song For Jimi,Sisters Of Mercy...now of course many of you may already have this stuff as it has long been avaialble on "unoffical" releases. These selections "sound" much better though. Over all this set has a good flow and most of the selections I think tell the story of the evolution of this band throughout the years...a wonderful essay with lots of rare pictures accompanies this set...very professional and a great tribute to a great band....nothing like them anymore.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
LONG LIVE LYNOTT, April 23, 2002
This review is from: Vagabonds Kings Warriors (Audio CD)
Hi,I must say this is one amazin box set.I mean anything with Thin Lizzy is amazin, but this just takes the cake. Perfect song selection and the rare tracks/Demos are awsome too. The box set is also like a book to , so u get a box set and a book, wut else could u ask for. The best rare track is Sisters of Mercy beautiful song, almost brings tears to my eyes. Old Town is amazin too, in that song Phil is asking for help, but no one heard him.My fav songs are CowBoy Song,Rosisle,Renegade,FoolsGold,Fighting,Lizzy Mobile,. Also like I stated before the box set is like a book and it tells you the whole bands history,all the former band memebers,and discgorophy,realse of songs and there dates.SO PLEASE BUY THIS BOX SET YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED.....PHIL LYNOTT GOD BLESS HIM.....WHERE EVER HE IS :)
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