The beggining of exellence
The 70s never been better. Duel leads, great back beat and Lynotts fantastic lyrics. Well not until Johnny the Fox maybe.
Not Lizzy's Best
" But, for the most part, it doesn't live up to the rest of the Lizzy catalog. A largely subdued album, and a bit of a dropoff between Vagabonds of the Western World and the creation of the traditional Lizzy sound on Fighting, Night Life finds its best moment in the mournful blues of "Still in Love With You.
Thin Lizzy's best anomoly
Probably more 4. Thin Lizzy - Night Life, 1974. 5 stars than 5.
To start out, by looking at any of the reviews for this album and then subsequently reading reviews for the rest of the band's output, it will be immediately obvious that this album is quite different from all the rest. This however, does not have to be a bad thing. The subdued nature of the entire album helps to bring out a romantic quality that is not touched upon in other recordings. Smooth, yet sensual, without being overly soft or cute; this is a record, that while it does certainly have its moments of intensity, is also one that a person who prefers to 'rock out' on occasion will not feel ashamed of listening to.
From the ever catchy lead-off track, 'She Knows', to the light funk of 'Night Life', to a healthy dose of swagger in 'It's Only Money', there's a bit of something offered up in each track to keep you interest going throughout. It should also be noted that the interplay between the band is quite superb. Everyone seems to mention the twin guitar attack that is self-evident, but there is also a very capable rhythm section to back the guitarists, courtesy of Phil Lynott and Brian Downey.
So if you're ever in the mood for the softer side of rock while avoiding the cheesy or sappy, and are already a fan of this band's more well-known records, I would not hesitate to give this one a shot.
the first with Robertson/Gorham
Gorham said, we were like a cocktail band, here the sound of the band is different, but you will listen still in love with you with Gary Moore, but I like more the live version, Night life is a good song, my favorite It's only money, great hard rock!.
Tell her I'm keeping foine...
Brief salvation came in the form of Gary Moore, legendary Irish blues guitarist and off again on again running mate of Philip Lynott. Thin Lizzy went through their first major personnel upheaval at the end of 1973 and times seemed dark for the band. As one single was owed to Decca, Gary played on "Little Darlin'", a fantastic yet rare song that only became available on compliations. Moore also contributed to "Still in Love with You" which would later become the centerpiece for Lizzy's Vertigo debut 'Nightlife', released in October 1974. As Gary proved only a temporary fit, Philip and Brian recruited not one but two guitarists to broaden out the sound and make the band even more unique than they already were. Eighteen year old Scotsman Brian Robertson and Santa Monica native Scott Gorham came to complete THE classic lineup of Thin Lizzy and 'Nightlife' was THIS band's first. Curiously the record is not indicative of future Robertson/Gorham classics (very little of their trademark harmonies) and therefore is not up to the standard of their future efforts. The album is also one of Lizzy's most stylistically diverse as funk, R&B, folk and hard rock come together as if Philip wanted to expand people's opinions of what this new band could do. My favorites are of course the rock numbers including the opener "She Knows", which seems to be the self-confession of a heroin addict who needs help from "Mother Mary". "Sha-La-La" which features Brian Downey flexing his muscles, later became a concert staple for that very reason, but it also allows the new boys to let it rip in dueling solos. "Philomena" I have always loved, Phil's tribute to his mom and how he misses her while he's on the road. "It's Only Money" rocks very convincingly as well with Phil being the tough guy again. "Still in Love" is great but I think the studio version is overrated. "Night Life" is kind cool as is "Showdown", two examples of the R&B influences that Philip put in his writing. Worth it for the Lizzy fan but others may want to buy their later classics as 'Nightlife' may not contain as much rock for the heavy rock fans. .
You can see a complete list of all Thin Lizzy discography, or go back to the Thin Lizzy tabs
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