The End of the Early Lizzy Era
" "The Hero and the Madman" follows, and is a very unique track that reminds one of cliffhanger dependent television series, and balances a funky, subdued rock n' roll with a creative vocal approach on the story told by the lyrics. Their last album as a trio, and before the twin guitar attack was born, Vagabonds of the Western World finds Thin Lizzy going for a harder edged sound, immediately noticeable on the twangy blues rock of "Mama Nature Said.
These two hard rockers set the stage for "Slow Blues," which (as the title suggests) slows things down a bit, with some funky guitar and soulful singing, before "The Rocker" picks it back up (Oh, how I do love rock songs ABOUT rockin'!). This is really a great track, and probably the album highlight.
Traditional Irish song "Whisky in the Jar" makes an appearance, given a more rockin' treatment by Lizzy, with some strong guitar work that makes it an easy favorite, and the album closes on a very cool, bluesy number "Broken Dreams," that is yet another highlight.
Overall, it's a strong album that showcases Lizzy's ability to really rock out in a period before their sound became solidified. Good stuff!.
Great Album
I love Thin Lizzy I was introduced to them through jailbreak and since then i just can't get enough I have Fighting Nightlife Johnny The Fox, Live and Dangerous, Bad Reputation and Shades of A Blue Orphanage, Vagabonds features Eric Bell Sole guitarist but he does this record justice plenty of great tunes Whisky in the Jar, Vagabonds, and Little Girl In Bloom (my personal Fav) The Harmonies Are Top Notch as for Phil's Ear For Melody And Lyrics that are Heartfelt but The Riffs are classic,and the songs are timeless .
the end of the first line up
very good record!. This cd is the first famous album, (not the first but the third), you can here Mama nature said with the great slide guitar of Eric Bell, Slow blues, black boys on the corner, and the famous folk song whiskey in the jar.
Sing your lullabying tune...
This driving version of the song was a curious selection for a single, but from its memorable intro to its "here I am in prison" conclusion, the song created a new market for the struggling band. In the fall of 1972, Thin Lizzy gambled on recording an Irish folk and recorded their first major hit, the classic "Whisky in the Jar". With renewed confidence they recorded their album `Vagabonds of the Western World' which was released in September 1973. The record marked a turning point in the band's career for a number of reasons. It was their last record for Decca, the final bow for Eric Bell as their lead guitarist and hence their last as a power trio. `Vagabonds' was supposed to make or break the band but instead it did neither. It did however force Lynott and Downey to regroup before expanding on their legend. The lp is very much a hit or miss affair. While it is marked improvement from the previous album, it is still not one of the classics as a whole that the band would later turn out in abundance. Highlights for me would include "The Rocker", one of the key tracks of Lizzy's career and their future encore number. It is a barnstorming tale of Lynott bravado as only Philip can voice, and revealed one of his most successful characters, the barroom brawler/heartbreaker supreme. "Vagabonds of the Western World" is another play on Celtic mythology that Lynott did so well with its magnificent "tura loora loora loroli" intro and powerhouse "blue eyes" chorus, an absolute stunner!! For me the most memorable highlight of album #3 is "Little Girl in Bloom", one of Philip Lynott' most emotional vocals and quite possibly the man's most beautiful poetic accomplishment, a gifted songwriter at the peak of his powers. "Gonna Creep Up on You" is a great metal track, the music seems to stalk you as well. The rest of `Vagabonds' is fair but not great although I love Eric Bell's solo on "Hero and the Madman" though the song is very odd. Two lame blues tunes and a so so ballad wrap up this good but not great LP. As an added bonus on CD, "Whiskey" is included along with "Randolph's Tango" which was the other non-lp single of 1973. Special note, "Whiskey's" B side, "Black Boys on the Corner", which is an absolutely brilliant hard rock song is here as well. "What you doin' man?" "Teddy boy you got to roll" "Let me tell you the story of a vagabond"!!.
Humble Beginnings
Sure, they may have had one hit, but who really knows anything by this band? In fact, ask the average person who sings, "The Boys Are back In Town" and most of em probably won't even be able to tell you. Thin Lizzy are pretty much an unknown band in America. Those fairly familiar with the band know there was a "classic" period of their career, but even more obscure are the days before they became a dual guitar powerhouse. Vagabonds(their 3rd album) is an excellent look into the early days of their career. Certain critics have mixed reviews of Lizzy's early days, stating that Lizzy had an uneven sound and hadn't "found" themselves yet. Sure, they ended up in a much different place than they started, but they certainly don't sound unsure of themselves on this album. Mixing elements of folk, funk, hard rock, and even psychadelic rock, this album should appeal to fans of stoner rock and trippy hippy rock. Phil's voice isn't quite as smooth as we know it would become(that could be the production too), but there are hints of what Lizzy would become on The Rocker. This is a wonderful album to anyone who appreciates Phil Lynott's style as well as any other curious parties who dig late 60s/early 70s music. This is a surprisingly cool gem to discover. It might even have you wondering why it never made any kind of impact.
You can see a complete list of all Thin Lizzy discography, or go back to the Thin Lizzy tabs
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