Nightlife (2CD) 3.5/5
Fighting (2CD) 4/5
Universal
Universal continue their excellent reissue campaign with the first two sets for Phonogram, in 1974 and 1975 respectively.
Following the sudden departure of original guitarist Eric Bell, and completing the tour with Gary Moore and later John Du Cann, the band would become a four piece with guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson.
Nightlife kicked off this new lineup, and it’s a bit of a cross over, as there are still touches of the Celtic roots (look at the opening track She Knows) and elements of a picking style reminiscent of Bell’s. The title track has a soft blues feel. Phil Lynott’s vocals are distinctive, his bass work building to what would become his trademark. There are flashes or twin guitar work in “It’s Only Money” that hint of greater things to come.
The highlight of the album is the ballad “Still In Love With You”, which featured lead guitar by Gary Moore which Robertson apparently refused to rerecord. It is very reminiscent of the blues work Moore would undertake in the early 90s and 00s. Here the track also features a duet with Frankie Miller.
The album also features “Philomena”, a track Lynott for his mother.
It is an excellent and overlooked album that was the start of things to come, that suffers with poor production and a lack of conviction in the direction. The songwriting was top quality, but the performance and arrangement was half hearted at times.
The second disc features 6 live BBC sessions and several demos / alternate takes, including three with Gary Moore.
The second album with the Lynnott / Robertson / Gorham / Downey was 75’s Fighting and this really is where the band came into their own. It was harder, heavier, more confident, the band really did come out Fighting. The album opens with the classic “Rosalie”, while “For Those Who Love To Live” is a softer track (great heavy opening) that is just classic Lizzy. The guitar interplay makes the most of the twin guitar setup and it’s what defined the band’s sound.
“Suicide” is another good track with harsh vocals, great guitar work and an occasional nod to boogie in the rhythm. The songwriting and consistency of the music are great throughout.
Both albums come with excellent packaging and will form an integral part of the collection.
Joe Geesin
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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