Customer Reviews

Vagabonds Kings Warriors

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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 :)

I remember my first exposure to TL while speeding across the Arizona desert when something came on the radio that shook me to my core. If the song astounded me, I later was floored to discover that a black Irishman was "That Voice" and had co-wrote (with his schoolmate-the great drummer Brian Downey) "The Cowboy Song," perhaps the finest rock tune ever written about the American West.

I have a collection of old vinyl Thin Lizzy recordings that I haven't played in years. I picked up this box set and am very pleased with the collection. Yes, I wish some things had been put on and others left off, but still, a great collection. Many fans in North America only know Thin Lizzy from, "The Boys Are Back In Town" or the Jailbreak album and that is a shame. As great as the Jailbreak album was, it only scratched the surface of what this incredible band could produce. Phil Lynott was a masterful songwriter, singer, musician. poet and a fine band leader who guided Thin Lizzy through several guitar lineups with great skill. Every guitar player was allowed to show their stuff and Eric Bell, Brian Roberston, Scott Gorham, Gary Moore, Snowy White, and John Sykes were/are great players who owe a great deal to Phil. The bottom end with Phil on bass and the great and vastly underrated Brian Downey on drums propelled these guitar slingers and the band to amazing performances. He was also a drug addict whose self destructive actions hurt many who loved him and sadly washed away the memory of so much great work. It is time for reflection and to remember Phil and TL as one of the greatest rock bands in history. This package will guide the casual fan to a better appreciation of what TL was all about. For us old timers, this box contains great joy and no little sadness. Oh, Philip, what might have been. One can't help but to be touched by Phil's heartfelt treatment of "Wild One" or the "Freedom Song". Get this package along with the "Live and Dangerous" CD where Phil's voice over the final guitar work at the end of "Southbound" is as emotive as any I have ever heard in any category or song.

I creemed my pants the second I saw this box set on a vendor table at a record show back in 2001. You ever have one of those moments where you see something unexpected and you want it and don't even think or it matters how much it costs. That's what happened...I just bought it. I had many Thin Lizzy cd's at that point like Jailbreak, Live and Dangerous, and Bad Reputation, but this is the motherload. Thin Lizzy are, was, and still is the best band to ever make records or play live. Just dynamite when they performed live whether it was 1975 or 1978 or 1981 or 1983, every line up offered something to the ears. And that's whats on these 4 cds. Something different on each, but each stunning masterful, and beautifully written. Long live the Gods of Rock n Roll...Tin Lizzy

This a great box for newcomers to Thin Lizzy. It covers a nice array of songs from various Lizzy albums. It is packed with hits but even if you are a big fan you should invest the money. You probably have all of Lizzy's popular songs just on different CDs, but here they sound better, with live cuts and rare b-sides included as well. For the newcomer it covers over a decade of hits and moods. It's great to put on and just lose yourself in. I give Vagabonds Kings Warriors Angels five stars for a well rounded attempt. If you are just finding out about Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy then this would be the pinnacle of your collection.

Thank you sooo much for how quickly and professionally my item was shipped... I was able to wrap it and put it under the tree from SANTA... my brother almost cried... We JAMMED THIN LIZZY FOR CHRISTMAS!!!
Thank you again 5 Stars...

This is a superb collection of THIN LIZZY material including the raw early recordings of the three piece band in the early days, the early stiff with Robertson and Gorham, the rich seam they then hit in the mid 70's, Moores addition, snowy white years and the re-invigorated input final album stuff from John sykes. This compilation is well balnaced and includes tracks not on previous albums only released as 'B' sides on the singles and some unreleased tracks which are very good. The compilation covers Lizzy greatest material in addition to the hit singles as I think although they ha some hit songs the better tracks were the album tracks

I'm 28 so Thin Lizzy was around long before I really had heard of them. This review wont be lengthy because there is too much material/songs on this box set to go over. I'll just say this is probably the 8th box set I've purchased (Black Sabbath,Hendrix,Stevie Ray Vaughan,The Eagles,Clapton,ZZ Top,etc_ over the years and not enough words can describe how f-in talented Phillip Lynott was before his tragic passing, Snowy White,Gary Moore,a few other guitarists all shared their time on each album and provide unbelievable solos.

If you want to die peacefully some day or just simply turn a bad day into good, make sure you get this box set and listen to it as much as possible. It's worth every dollar you put into it and then some.

THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE DEDICATION RELEASE. IT'S
A MUST FOR ANY FAN OF THIS GREAT ROCK BAND. THE SONG
SELECTION IS GOOD AND HAS SOME UNRELEASED STUFF IF YOU
NEVER HEARD IT BUT THERE ARE SOME SONGS MISSING. OPIUM
TRAIL, GENOCIDE, WE WILL BE STRONG, ANGEL OF DEATH ALL
CLASSICS? ALSO MISSING DEMOS LIKE BLACKULA, BLACK NIGHT,
HATE, BLACKMAIL AND ARE YOU READY STUDIO VERSION FROM
BLACK ROSE SESSIONS WOULD'VE BEEN NICE FOR THE DEDICATED
FAN WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE HEARD THESE GEMS. ANYWAY I HIGHLY
RECOMMEND THIS TO ANY LIZZY FAN. THE BOX SET BOOKLET IS
REALLY COOL WITH GREAT PICTURES. NICE! CHEERS TO ALL YOU
LIZZY FANS AND TO THE GUITAR PLAYER IN THE DARKNESS FOR
WEARING THAT T-SHIRT TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE BOYS!!!!!!!