Nightlife

Many years ago I had this album on tape and not having heard it since, I wondered if it really was as good as I thought at the time, all those years ago. The answer is 'yes' - it really is that good. Perhaps if you only know Thin Lizzy for their most famous songs which portray them as an out and out rock band, you may be surprized by this album. Quite a mixture of different styles, but more of a subtle, polished approach here. Can you imagine Thin Lizzy with a string section? You will hear strings on the title track. I would say is it is a great album with every track offering in my opinion something of merit. Go on, buy it !

Arrived safely

1st Lizzy album as 4 piece line up gets the deluxe edition treatment.For such an underrated album thats often overlooked it features the live staples,Still in Love with you (featuring Robert GARY Moore on lead guitar & Frankie Miller on co-lead vocals) & Sha-la-la-la & early classics Showdown & She Knows & Its only money,so thats half your album of real quality stuff!Whilst not the finished article,the album highlights Phillips fabulous singing & points at the dual guitar sound ,there are real hints at what was to come in the near future. The material is quite varied & not all out rock, strings & keyboards & acoustic guitars feature,so you maybe generally suprised.As for the bonus disc 6 of the album tracks in session version are available elsewhere; PEEL sessions/live at the BBC c.d 's & boxset ,so be aware before you part with your cash!However there are some gems in the form of demos featuring Gary Moore on 3 tracks ,& a demo of Frankie Miller doing S.T.I.L.W.Y. where he can clearly be heard,er' enquiring about further liquid refreshment,shall we say!In the booklet,Robbo & Brian Downey share their views & respected rock writer Malc Dome chips in too!Of all the deluxe releases I still think Chinatown offers most in terms of varied bonus disc & value for money,this is good ,but if you only like Lizzy for the well known chart hits then there may not be a great deal here for you!

Excellent CD, definitely not aged

This was a great buy. The live version of Still In Love With You is a well known classic, but the studio version has a funky appeal of it own. I like it more every time I hear it.

one of the few albums where lynot got together with the late great gary moore you can distinkly recognise his signiture on the lead guiter well worth investing in a copy shame they didnt work together on more of the lizzy albums a classic real gem.

Great album and exellent sound.

Disc One is the original 1974 release 'Nightlife', which shows the many different facets of Lynott as an artist, something that no subsequent Lizzy album would achieve to such an extent. His songwriting, his singing and his often overlooked bass-playing all stand out on this record. From the Hendrixy funk-rock of 'It's Only Money' through the Van Morrison blues of the title track and the Motown-tinged 'Showdown' right up to the Lizzy-esque 'She Knows' and the heavier rock of 'Sha-la-la', this is Lynott at his unfettered best, experimenting, giving his creativity and imagination total freedom. The Hank Marvin-sounding, almost Country Rock of 'Banshee', the Celtic Rock of 'Philomena' with its Irish fiddle tucked in behind the guitars, the introspective pop/soul of 'Dear Heart' and the Tom Waits folksy 'Frankie Carroll' all show Lynott as an artist still finding his feet, willing to try out new (and old) ideas, sketching on diverse canvases. Brian Downey shows himself to be an adaptable skinsman on this album and his drumming goes from rhythm n blues swing to tight hard rocking to a strange mix of marching band meets celtic bodhrán on 'Philomena', highlighting his importance to Lynott when it came to switching styles. With a lush string section on some tracks, an organ on others and even a female backing chorus line on 'Showdown', alongside the two new band members still finding their space, this was as near as we can get to an early Lynott solo album. By the time Lizzy hit the big time two years later, very little of this diversity was left. The bluesy love ballad 'Still In Love With You' is obviously a stand-out track here and went on to become one of the band's most requested live songs right up to their demise in 1983. As an experimental album then, it's only fitting that Lynott shared the spotlight on this classic song with guitarist Gary Moore and singer Frankie Miller, both stars in their own right. Disc Two is a mixed bag of out-takes and alternative versions, some of which feature rough mixes of Gary Moore's guitar parts, most of which were subsequently substituted with the new guitarists' contributions for the finished album release. As a fan, I found these interesting, but as with most rough mixes and out-takes, they are for collectors and fans mainly. If you think that Thin Lizzy started and finished with The Boys Are Back In Town, well you're in for a surprise with this album. A very challenging one.