
THIN LIZZY – The Acoustic Sessions
- by J.N.
- Posted on 17-01-2025
BAND URL: https://www.thinlizzyofficial.com
Considering the evocative and heartfelt nature of the first three Thin Lizzy albums from the early seventies, the prospect of immersing oneself in acoustic renditions and re-workings of some of the very best compositions from those exciting days appeared highly intriguing and interesting to this scribe. So how does the great-looking release fare, then?
Being the huge fan of those early LPs that I am, I was naturally curious as to how Phil Lynott’s charismatic vocals – many of which are alternate takes and previously unheard – on top of original Lizzy six-string wizard Eric Bell’s newly recorded acoustic guitars would sound, and I am thrilled to announce that the outcome is a successful one on so many levels. Brian Downey’s drums from that bygone era also make in appearance in all the right places, and the strings and backing vocals certainly make their presence felt too, but it truly is the combination of Philip’s unique singing and the beautiful new arrangements and sweeping melodies that make this disc such a special and memorable little gem. One could easily be led to believe that coupling the old with the new and the way in which the album was assembled would have resulted in something that did not necessarily feel organic or vibrant, but it flows surprisingly well and above all sounds phenomenal. With Phil’s voice being rich in timbre and Eric’s exquisite playing showing class and sophistication from beginning to end, this is an emotive and beguiling journey that perfectly illustrates the depth and quality of their songwriting and perhaps more than anything just how magnificent and moving Lynott’s lyrics were from the outset of Thin Lizzy’s career. The strongest and most remarkable cuts are also the ones that are steeped in melancholy and yearning, namely “Eire,” “Dublin,” “Shades of a Blue Orphanage,” and the touching “Slow Blues (Alt Mix).” Only the stripped down version of “Mama Nature Said” appears slightly superfluous as it feels almost too sparse and lacks a bit of texture compared to the rest.
The warmth and the spirited feel that course through their folk-tinged debut offering (1971), the sprawling but overlooked Shades of a Blue Orphanage (1972), and the deftly executed Vagabonds of the Western World are intact and brought to the fore on The Acoustic Sessions. This is a refreshing and inspired addition to their discography and warrants repeated listens.