Never thought I’d be typing ‘Thin Lizzy is back’ in an article in 2024. Yet, here we are! You’re only a couple months away from hearing fresh takes on classic tracks – their first release in over four decades! Original vocals from singer Phil Lynott have been put together with brand-new guitar parts from founding member Eric Bell. Very very cool. The album is scheduled for a January 24, 2025 release.
You can hear the first track from the “Acoustic Sessions” below – a reimagined version of “Whiskey In The Jar”!
Eric Bell said, “I remember recording ‘Eire’ from our debut album ‘Thin Lizzy’ in 1971. I wrote the main guitar part first on acoustic and then we built it up from there. I played the 12-string acoustic throughout the track and introduced the electric on top. This was useful in the studio in Belfast recently where we recorded fresh guitar parts to allow us to create new Thin Lizzy acoustic versions of some of our favourite songs by recreating those original acoustic parts and adding the vocals which Philip laid down on the day and those original drum parts which Brian came up with in the original recording sessions.”
Producer / mixer Richard Whittaker added, “Traditionally, songwriters and bands have used acoustic ‘polyrhythmic’ instruments such as piano or guitar to demo or sketch out their ideas. In most cases these parts are replaced as the production process develops but occasionally, these core elements survive and remain intact. I encountered this during the ‘Vagabonds’ project. After sifting through all the Decca recordings, I presented a list of ideas however, in most cases additional development and material was required. So the guys at the label approached Eric (Bell) who was happy to get involved with the project and between us, I think we’ve made something really quite unique and special.”
Drummer Brian Downey, the only member to have played in every iteration of the band alongside Lynott, co-wrote the original version of “Slow Blues”.
Of course “Whiskey In The Jar” isn’t Thin Lizzy’s song – it goes back to the 1700s. But when Phil Lynott started playing the song at rehearsal, their manager told them to record it. And did. They released the song in ’72 and it went to #6 on the U.K. charts! The song has since been covered by U2, Metallica, The Pogues and more!
This album marks the first time since Bell’s exit that he’s recorded under the Thin Lizzy name.
Here’s what you can expect on the ‘new’ acoustic album:
* Mama Nature Said (Acoustic Version)
* A Song For While I’m Away (Acoustic Version)
* Eire (Acoustic Version)
* Slow Blues (Acoustic Version)
* Dublin (Acoustic Version)
* Whiskey In The Jar (Acoustic Version)
* Here I Go Again (Acoustic Version)
* Shades Of A Blue Orphanage (Acoustic Version)
* Remembering Pt. 2 (Acoustic Version)
* Slow Blues G.M. (Gary Moore) (Acoustic Version)
You’ll be able to get the album in both CD and limited-edition marble vinyl formats.
Thin Lizzy has GOT TO BE one of the most underrated rock bands ever! Name a more underrated band. I’ll wait.
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