Thin Lizzy – Vagabonds Of The Western World 4LP Super Deluxe Edition

Thin Lizzy – Vagabonds Of The Western World 

2023 sees the 50th anniversary of what is widely regarded as Thin Lizzy’s breakthrough album ‘Vagabonds Of The Western World’ featuring their first UK top ten single ‘Whiskey In The Jar’ and ‘The Rocker’ which would go on to be one of the band’s signature tunes, so much so that it was the last song they ever performed at their final show in 1983.

To celebrate the album’s golden anniversary, deluxe CD and LP sets featuring rarities, radio sessions, unreleased music, rare photos, extensive sleevenotes by Mark Blake, and memorabilia will be released on 17th November. The reissue suite also includes the album remixed in Dolby Atmos, a first for any Thin Lizzy record.

‘Vagabonds Of The Western World’ was Thin Lizzy’s third studio album and was initially released on the 21st of September 1973. It was the first to feature artwork by Jim Fitzpatrick, the creator of the famous red and black portrait of Che Guevara, who would go on to work with the band on classic albums such as Nightlife, Jailbreak, Johnny The Fox, Black Rose and Chinatown. 

The album was the band’s last roll of the dice, as they had been working for two years with limited success. After the band moved to London from Dublin, they played every gig they could to keep themselves afloat. While messing around in their rehearsal studio, Phil Lynott started busking the old Irish folk song ‘Whiskey In The Jar’, which dates back to the 1700s. Their then manager remarked upon it and insisted that the band recorded, against their gut instincts. The single was released in November 1972 and rose to number 6 on the UK singles chart. However, the song didn’t sit well with the band, and despite its success, they left it off their forthcoming album. 

Since then, the song, in arrangements influenced by The Lizzy version, has gone on to be covered by artists such as U2, Metallica, Belle & Sebastian, The Pogues, Pulp, Bryan Adams, Gary Moore and Simple Minds.

After a two-year struggle for recognition, Thin Lizzy had finally scored a breakthrough hit. It paved the way for the 'Vagabonds Of The Western World' album, but it would be their last with original guitarist Eric Bell. After an unsuccessful New Year's Eve show in Belfast, Bell was no longer in the band, which paved the way for Lynott's idea about having twin lead guitarists. After a short spell with very young Gary Moore filling in, Phil & Brian recruited American Scott Gorham and 18-year-old Glaswegian Brian Robertson, and a new adventure started.

The 50th anniversary of ‘Vagabonds Of The Western World’ is the sound of nascent Lizzy finally finding their feet and starting on their journey to be one of the greatest rock bands of the 70s and for Philip to be recognised as one of the best songwriters of his generation.

Tracklist:
SIDE A
1. Mama Nature Said
2. The Hero And The Madman
3. Slow Blues
4. The Rocker – Album Version
 
SIDE B
1. Vagabond Of The Western World – Album Version
2. Little Girl In Bloom
3. Gonna Creep Up On You
4. A Song For While I’m Away
 
SIDE C
1. Whiskey In The Jar – John Peel Session / 28th November 1972
2. Suicide – John Peel Session / 28thNovember 1972
3. Black Boys On The Corner – John Peel Session / 28th November 1972
 
SIDE D
1. Vagabond Of The Western World – John Peel Session / 7th August 1973
2. Gonna Creep Up On You – John Peel Session / 7th August 1973
3. Little Girl In Bloom – John Peel Session / 7th August 1973
 
SIDE E
1. Randolph’s Tango – John Peel Session / 16th August 1973
2. The Rocker – John Peel Session / 16thAugust 1973
3. Slow Blues – John Peel Session / 16thAugust 1973
 
SIDE F
1. Randolph’s Tango – Bob Harris Session / 17th September 1973
2. Little Girl In Bloom – Bob Harris Session / 17th September 1973
3. The Rocker – Bob Harris Session / 17thSeptember 1973
 
SIDE G
1. The Rocker – Radio One In Concert / 26th July 1973
2. Things Ain’t Working Out Down At The Farm – Radio One In Concert / 26th July 1973
 
SIDE H
1. Slow Blues – Radio One In Concert / 26thJuly 1973
2. Gonna Creep Up On You – Radio One In Concert / 26th July 1973
3. Suicide – Radio One In Concert / 26thJuly 1973

Label: Universal Music
Released: 1973/2023