Thin Lizzy: Still Dangerous

By: Dennis Cook

Refined warrior-musicians, Thin Lizzy blazed a hard rock trail in the ’70s that still stands as one of the finest, sturdiest legacies ever. Pumping out dead solid studio albums, Lizzy was also a monstrous, lovingly possessed live act that left blood on the stage and didn’t hesitate a moment if they needed a few pints from the throng on the other side of the rail. It would be enough to play with such intensity and purpose but what they played was a winning mix of epic tales and street corner ruminations. Rock, as an ideal and lifestyle, always sat firmly on their shoulder, a devil or angel (depending on the day) that whispered strange secrets that kept their mixture true and potent. One of music’s greatest losses was the early death of bassist-songwriter-singer-all-round-fucking marvel Phil Lynott in 1986, his body ravaged by drugs and hard living, giving up the ghost at only 36.

In many ways the Thin Lizzy story ends there. Yes, there’s a shadow band still touring under that name but Lizzy without Lynott is like The Beatles without John – it simply makes no sense and does a disservice to their legacy. So, it is with handclapping, unrestrained glee one greets Still Dangerous (released March 2 on VH1 Classic Records), a long rumored live set captured in 1977 at the start of a U.S. tour. Perhaps Lizzy’s most beloved album is 1978’s Live and Dangerous, a double vinyl concert assault drawn from the tours for Bad Reputation and Johnny The Fox. Thing is, Still Dangerous is better. Gone is the post-production fussing, addition of extra instruments, etc. What the new set offers is pure, uncut Thin Lizzy at their fighting peak, a band that on a good night could go toe-to-toe with Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Deep Purple and any of their other better known peers. In many ways, Lizzy has evolved into a musician’s band, beloved by guys (and let’s be honest, the vast majority of serious fans are dudes…) who actually make music or somehow revolve in that sphere (present company included). This may be because every basic joy of rock is here, blasting forth with such conviction, skill and charisma that Thin Lizzy remind us over & over why we sold our souls to rock ‘n’ roll in the first place.

Unlike its predecessor, Still Dangerous is a single show, a blindingly together night at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia, where Lynott, guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson and drummer Brian Downey drew molten power from the very bowels of the genre and burned the motherfucking house down. You may find yourself creeping the volume up as this goes, grabbing at the echoes of that evening’s furious intensity, bobbing with uncontrolled pleasure as “Jailbreak,” “Massacre” “Cowboy Song” and “Me And The Boys” sear away falseness and pose, revealing rock’s real superpowers dressed in leather and studs. Lynott wields his bass like a weapon on the cover, teeth gritted, eyes ablaze. Before one’s heard a lick they know what they’re in for, and trust me kiddies, you are in for it if you slip on Still Dangerous. The bar has been set for best live album of 2009.

A nice take on “Don’t Believe A Word” from a later lineup that included guitar hero Gary Moore and go-to drummer Cozy Powell playing with Gorham and Lynott.

And a quick jump back to 1973 for the original trio configuration doing one of Lizzy’s best cuts.

JamBase | Breakin’ Loose
Go See Live Music!