Cataloguing any legendary artists’ output is an onerous task. When the band in question spans 13 years and had a prolific lead singer whose solo ventures achieved comparable success, it makes the undertaking even more daunting.
Hats off then to Universal for this tantalising assortment of Lizzy anthems, underrated gems, Lynott classics and live fare.
The 36 songs gathered here run the gamut of styles reminding us how diverse an artist Philip Lynott was and how versatile the great Lizzy were in their many guises.
In addition to the usual hits, we’re treated to oft-overlooked nuggets such as the funk/lounge shimmer of ‘Showdown’ and the upbeat folk-pop of ‘She Knows’ from the Nightlife album, plus the ballsy rock of ‘Fighting My Way Back’ culled from Fighting. Another treat is the inclusion of the studio version of the achingly beautiful ‘Still In Love With You’ complete with additional vocals by Frankie Miller and sublime Gary Moore solo.
The Lizzy and Lynott ‘greatest’ tracks are all present and correct (apart from the strange ommission of ‘Old Town’) and each era of the band is well represented. The collection also provides a timely opportunity to revisit Lynott’s two successful collaborations with the late Gary Moore, ‘Out In The Fields’ and ‘Parisienne Walkways’.
Other successful partnerships in his solo period are represented here in the form of ‘King’s Call’ (Mark Knopfler) and ‘Dear Miss Loney Hearts’ (written with ‘Old Town’ co-author Jimmy Bain).
Additional noteworthy entries include Lynott’s nod to pub rock, Billy Bremner’s ‘Trouble Boys’; posthumous Lizzy single, the Lynott/Laurence Archer composition ‘Dedication’; and two previously unreleased tracks from the 1979 Sydney Opera House Show, ‘Cowboy Song’ and ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’.
Sublime.