"Vagabonds Of The Western World: 50th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set" Edition by THIN LIZZY – Sept 1973 Album Remastered with Three Extra LPs of BBC Radio One Sessions and In Concert Shows from 1972 and 1973 – featuring Phil Lynott, Eric Bell and Brian Downey, Jr. with Gary Moore Guesting on LP4 only (November 2023 UK Universal/Decca '50th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set' Reissue with the 1973 Original Album Remastered in 2023 onto LP1 - LP2, LP3 and LP4 BBC Sessions and In Concert Series First-Time on Vinyl [Initially Released on CD in 2011] – A 60-Page Hardback Book and new 2023 Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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RATING: ***** (Audio, Content and Presentation)

 

"...Gonna Creep Up On You..."

 

Back in October 2010 - Lizzy's third studio album (and final as a Trio with Eric bell on Lead Guitar) "Vagabonds Of The Western World" got the Universal '2CD Deluxe Edition' treatment - and I for one raved about its audio, presentation and extras. Time to re-rave frankly. 

 

You have to say that Universal has done the absolute dog's you-know-what by their 1973 third studio album for its 50th Anniversary Reissue here in 2023. I love these things so much that I've only gone and committed to all three big formats - the 50^th Anniversary 2-LP Purple Vinyl set with a fantastically complimentary Extras LP (which I've reviewed elsewhere) and the 50^th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set (which I'm reviewing here) that has a 60-page book to drool over with the album on LP1 and LPs 2, 3 and 4 being the 'Radio One In Concert/John Peel/Bob Harris Sessions' from 1972 and 1973 that first appeared on "At The BBC" 6CD Box Set in 2011. Those BBC Sessions are first-issue on vinyl in this 4LP Box. The 'Extras' LP on the 2-LP Purple Vinyl Set does not duplicate anything on the 4LP Box. Door number three, the 4-Disc 50^th Anniversary Super Deluxe variant will also be a thing of '3CD/1BLU RAY/DOLBY ATMOS MIXES' lust - but it's been delayed and is due 1 Dec 2023 with the ATMOS Mixes being first-time-ever for any Lizzy release. At this point in time there appears to be no 2023 single LP, single CD or 2CD sets - just the above 3 variants in the 50th Anniversary Reissues Series.

 

Back to LPs - I've bought great reissue vinyl before - David Sylvian on Virgin, Peter Gabriel on Real World and the stunning Paul Blackmore-Mastered expanded 2LP reissue of Terry Callier's 1968 Debut "The New Folk Sound Of..." on Craft Recordings in 2018 - all these sets have tickled the funny bones, touched the heart and are fabulous owns. But this 2LP set and the 4LP Box Set (reviewed elsewhere) are the business too.

 

Originally released as an album 21 September 1973 in the UK on Decca Records SKL 5170 (May 1974 in the USA on London XPS 636 with a slightly edited version of "Little Girl In Bloom") – the LP "Vagabonds Of The Western World" had huge tunes like the manic guitar-fest of "The Rocker", the slide guitar meets environmental statement song "Mama Nature Said" and the deeply touching and melodious "Little Girl In Bloom" - it was a huge song-writing step forward after "Thin Lizzy" of 1971 and "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" in 1972. Hip British DJ of the moment (1973) - David Kid Jensen narrated the story in "The Hero And The Madman", Jan Schelhass plays Organ on "Mother Nature Said" and Fiachra Trench arranged Strings for "A Song For While I'm Away".   

 

1973's "Vagabonds... " was also the first album to feature their trademark look via Jim Fitzpatrick artwork (more of which is thrillingly used in the book and on the three sleeves) and the first LP that pointed towards a commercial Rock future – a hard-won success that would take them three more albums to arrive at via the worldwide breakthroughs of "Jailbreak" and "Johnny The Fox" - both in 1976 (their sixth and seventh studio albums). The ultimate triumph would come in 1978 with the legendary double "Live And Dangerous" which sold in cartloads. But this is where that road really started and arriving here – 50-years down the line at a 2023 four-album VINYL BOX SET of higher heroes and flaming motorcycles. To the details...

 

UK released Friday, 17 November 2023 - "Vagabonds Of The Western World" by THIN LIZZY on Universal/Decca 5587518 (Barcode 602455875181) is a Limited Edition '50^th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set' with the 8-Track Album on LP1 and LPs 2, 3 and 4 being first time issued on Vinyl of Tracks that first appeared on the 6CD-only Box Set "At The BBC" in 2011. This new 2023 LP-Sized 12" x 12" Box Set also comes a 60-Page Hardback Book with New Sleeve Notes by MARK BLAKE (Rare Memorabilia etc) and Unpublished Artwork by JIM FITZPATRICK – an artist intrinsically linked with the band. It plays out as follows:

 

LP1 "Vagabonds Of The Western World"

Side One

1. Mama Nature Said

2. The Hero And The Madman 

3. Slow Blues

4. The Rocker

Side Two

1. Vagabond Of Western World

2. Little Girl In Bloom

3. Gonna Creep Up On You

4. A Song For While I'm Away

 

LP2 "John Peel Sessions 1972 and 1973"

Side Three (Recorded: 14 Nov 1972, Broadcast 28 Nov 1972)

1. Whisky In The Jar (5:50 minutes)

2. Suicide (4:00 minutes)

3. Black Boys On The Corner (3:07 minutes)

Produced by TONY WILSON

Side Four (Recorded 31 July 1973, Broadcast 7 Aug 1973)

1. Vagabond Of The Western World (4:23 minutes)

2. Little Girl In Bloom (4:45 minutes)

3. Gonna Creep Up On You (3:13 minutes)

Produced by JOHN WALTERS

 

LP3 "John Peel and Bob Harris Sessions 1973"

Side Five (John Peel, Recorded 6 August 1973, Broadcast 16 Aug 1973)

1. Randolph's Tango (3:45 minutes)

2. The Rocker (5:10 minutes)

3. Slow Blues (5:31 minutes)

Produced by BERNIE WINTERS

Side Six (Bob Harris, Recorded 28 Aug 1973, Broadcast 17 Sep 1973)

1. Randolph's Tango (3:40 minutes)

2. Little Girl In Bloom (4:41 minutes)

3. The Rocker (5:12 minutes)

Produced by JEFF GRIFFIN

 

THIN LIZZY for LP2 and LP3 was:

PHILIP LYNOTT – Bass and Vocals

ERIC BELL – Guitars

BRIAN DOWNEY, JR. - Drums

 

LP4 "Radio One In Concert 1973"

Side Seven (Recorded 26 July 1973, Paris Theatre, London)

1. The Rocker (6:00 minutes)

2. Thing's Ain't Working Out Down At The Farm (7:52 minutes)

Side Eight (as per Side Seven)

1. Slow Blues (5:03 minutes)

2. Gonna Creep Up On You (3:47 minutes)

3. Suicide (4:50 minutes)

Produced by JEFF GRIFFIN

 

THIN LIZZY for LP4 was:

PHILIP LYNOTT – Bass & Vocals

GARY MOORE – Guitars

BRIAN DOWNEY, JR. – Drums

 

NOTE re LP4:

The 'BBC Radio 1 In Concert' set that appeared on the October 2010 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" is a different gig. Recorded 31 July 1973 at Golders Green Hippodrome in London - it had the same five songs (and in the same order) - but the 31 July 1973 version of "Suicide" did not feature Gary Moore (26 July 1973 only) - but instead introduced the two lead guitarists of the new four-piece Thin Lizzy line-up – Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson.

 

First things first – those who own the October 2010 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" will need to keep it if they only buy the two vinyl sets of the 50^th Anniversary issues. The 2010 digital-only twofer contains Paschal Byrne Remastering and loads of extras and unreleased that isn't on these issues. The 3CD/BLU RAY Box Set of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" due 1 Dec 2023 didn't have them either – worth noting for completists. To the gorgeous packaging for the 4LP Box...

 

LP1 loses its lyrics/pictures insert (transferred to Pages 51 to 56 of the book), the rest of its artwork exactly the same and all LPs have the famous Blue Boxed Decca Logo labels (a nice touch). The artwork on the front of LPs 2, 3 and 4 are of course new – outtakes from Jim Fitzpatrick's archives (no inserts) with the recording dates on the rear sleeves of the BBC Sessions (I've pictured all the LPs and page-samples of the book).

 

The 60-Page Hardback Book will make most Lizzy fans literally weak at the knees – it is a thing of whole-page beauty. Sided by a full-page Black and White outtake artwork of the LP cover by Jim Fitzpatrick – MARK BLAKE begins his seriously indepth study of Thin Lizzy history from Crumlin schoolyards in 1968 to stints with Gary Moore in Skid Row and a contract with Decca for the 'quite green' Irish Rock Trio to record the self-titled debut in January 1971. It weaves its merry way to Page 31 plastered as it goes with badges, posters, singles, memorabilia and all of it given room to shine on big fat glossy black pages.

 

The inner gatefold has the original album artwork from 1973 on the left side (counters the new 'outtake' Jim Fitzpatrick artwork on the front cover of this double) while the right-side flap has a The Picture Pages and Montage are so good - rare pic sleeve 45s like "The Rocker" from Japan, Germany and Denmark with "Whisky In The Jar" from Denmark and loads more. You get promo pictures of the band from Decca (dig the Guinness stage logo behind the band on Page 58) – messages from the band in October 1973 apologising to Irish fans for delays with physical copies of the album arriving in Irish shops due to production hiccups in England - a full page advert for the LP with quotes from British DJs/Fans John Peel and Kid Jensen along with cartoon adverts for "Whisky In The Jar" and "Randolph's Tango" and oodles more space-hopping and motorcycle roaring.

 

The roll call of reissue credits on Page 57 reads like a who's who for Lizzy – Band Managers Ted Carroll of Ace Records and Chris O'Donnell of Morrison O'Donnell Limited (both he and Chris Morrison were closely associated with the band) with contributions from the Belfast Guitarist ERIC BELL and mainman for Lizzy – the Drummer and schoolboy pal of Phil Lynott – BRIAN DOWNEY. Websites are named and the Jim Fitzpatrick artwork outtakes strewn with fantastic punch throughout will make even diehard old farts like me (and many others too) weepy – rekindling our love for this fabulous Rock band. In fact – if this is the 50^th Anniversary effort for 1973 – then we could hope for "Night Life" in 2024, "Fighting" in 2025 and the big boys - "Jailbreak" and "Johnny The Fox" in 2026 - mouth-watering stuff to look forward to.

 

It's all beautifully done and if that isn't enough, the whole shebang is mastered from original tapes by two fave Audio Engineers - ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM. This dynamic duo have handled huge swathes of Universal's Rock and Pop catalogue - Rory Gallagher, Budgie, Free, Spooky Tooth and the DE editions of Thin Lizzy too. The new Remasters are fabulous and GARY MOORE fans will love a chance at getting the 26 July 1973 Radio One In Concert show on vinyl – five songs of that amazing axeman with his childhood friends – all three in blistering form and hammering out material that would leave many a band of the time gasping in awe. The original recording work of great BBC names like Jeff Griffin, Tony Wilson, Bernie Andrews and John Walters ensured that storming singles "Black Boys On The Corner" and "The Rocker" allow stunning warbling guitar solos from Eric Bell while Phil and his Bass sound precise on "Little Girl In Bloom" and confidant on the massively extended EP track "Thing's Ain't Working Out Down At The Farm" stretched out in a live environment to nearly eight minutes. For sure, there is repetition, but bluntly – if the Trio of Thin Lizzy is playing any of this stuff fresh and new – I want it all - again and again.

 

A gorgeous reissue then – cool artwork on LPs 2, 3 and 4 and that book finally affording our heroes the respect and affection they have always warranted and engendered. The single "Whisky In The Jar" from 1972 and the third LP "Vagabonds Of The Western World" from 1973 started the success for real – and this 50^th Anniversary 4LP Box Set Reissue is surely one the best in 2023. I'm going to be canning this on my turntable for months on end.

 

I know this 4LP Box Set is pricey at just over £110 – so those who want "Vagabonds..." without incurring the wrath of the better half and sundry children might opt for the Double Album Reissue Variant on Purple Vinyl which clocks in about £40 or less (see separate review).

 

But then, as this is Thin Lizzy and as an Irishman and Dubliner who once saw Phil Lynott busking on Grafton Street when I was a kid before the first LP was even out – I am a goner. A beautiful thing with great mastering and presentation – buy, treasure and miss our hero/heroes one more time...

"Incident At A Free Festival - Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs Present" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 20 Tracks from 1969 to 1975 by Deep Purple, Manfred Man Chapter Three, Andwella, Hawkwind, Pink Fairies, Atomic Rooster, May Blitz, Paladin, Curved Air, Stack Waddy, BJH, Edgar Broughton Band, Stray, Library Music from Steve Gray, Dave Richmond, Alan Parker and Alan Hawkshaw, Slowload, Leafhound, James Hogg [a band], Jonesy and more (November 2023 UK Ace Records CD Themed Compilation with Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Chasing Shadows..."

 

RATING: ****

SOUND: **** to *****

PRESENTATION: *****

 

On Page 17 of the booklet for this very hip Ace Records compilation (from those hairymen arbitrators of good taste Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs) is a Promo Picture (no less) of the seriously obscure Slowload who managed a few singles on the largely Gilbert O'Sullivan based MAM Records label. Where do Ace get these things from – never mind locate the decidedly un-PC B-side "Big Boobs Boogie" – a flip to a Loving Spoonful cover on the A? The naffly named but very 1971 period B-side by Slowload was presumably put there to spare punters record shop emporium embarrassment (I will do anything for a slide guitar mate – well almost anything).

 

Such is the way with these Stanley/Wiggs themed-compilations – not all of which I have liked I must say. But this November 2023 one is a great listen and the boys have even put it out on a 2LP limited edition such is their hirsute confidence (God bless 'em). Thematically, picture muddy fields and Rock festivals in the country (and on islands) in the afternoon where the second and third tier bands of the day (most only just past debut albums on deeply Avant Garde labels) get to regale the weary mob before the headliners hit the stage that night. Prog Rock, Guitar whig-outs, some Funky rhythms and even Osibisa-type grooves meets with four Library Music slots to provide that eclectic underground scene vibe. And for the main part, it so works. Good song choices, discoveries too, some very cool 45-single sides that have stood the 50-year test of time. To the Meat Pies and the Afghan Guys...

 

UK released Friday, 24 November 2023 - "Incident At A Free Festival - Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs Present" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1619 (Barcode 029667109123) is a 20-Track themed-compilation (on CD and 2LP formats) that plays out as follows (CD, 78:25 minutes):

 

1. Chasing Shadows – DEEP PURPLE (November 1969 UK Third Studio LP "Deep Purple" on Harvest SHVL 759, Lead Vocals by Rod Evans)

 

2. One Way Glass – MANFRED MANN CHAPTER THREE (November 1969 UK LP "Manfred Mann Chapter Three" on Vertigo VO 3, Lead Vocals by Mike Hugg)

 

3. Hold On To Your Mind – ANDWELLA (October 1970 UK 45-single on Reflection R.S. 3, A-side, featuring David Lewis)

 

4. Hot Pants – ALAN PARKER and ALAN HAWKSHAW [Guitarist and Keyboardist with Blue Mink] (1972 UK Music Library LP "Flute For Moderns" on KPM Music KPM 1080)

 

5. Do It – PINK FAIRIES (January 1971 UK 45-single on Polydor 2058 089, B-side of "The Snake")

 

6. Tomorrow Night – ATOMIC ROOSTER (September 1970 UK 45-single on B&C Records CB 131, A-side, featuring Vincent Crane)

 

7. Taken All The Good Things – STRAY (May 1970 UK Debut Album "Stray" on Transatlantic Records TRA 216, featuring Steve Gadd and Del Bromham)

 

8. Out Demons Out – EDGAR BROUGHTON BAND (April 1970 UK Non-Album 45 7" single on Harvest HAR 5015, A-side)

 

9. For Mad Men Only – MAY BLITZ (May 1971 UK Second and Last Studio LP "The 2^nd Of May" on Vertigo 636 0037)

 

10. Back Street Luv – CURVED AIR (June 1971 UK 45-single on Warner Brothers WB 8029, reissued and charted as Warner Brothers K 16092 - featuring Sonja Kristina, Francis Monkman, Darryl Way, Ian Eyre and Florian Pilkington-Miksa)

 

11. Ejection – HAWKWIND (2011 Remastered Version from the Back On Black ROVO13LP reissue of their third studio album "Doremi Fasol Latido" – recorded during those 1972 sessions)

 

12. Meat Pies 'Ave Come But Band's Not 'Ere Yet – STACK WADDY (October 1972 UK second album "Bugger Off" ("Bugger Off! on the artwork) on Dandelion Records 2310 231)

 

13. Lovely Lady Rock – JAMES HOGG [Band name not an individual] (June 1972 UK debut Non-LP 45-single on Regal Zonophone RZ 3054, A-side)

 

14. Third World – PALADIN (May 1971 UK Debut Album "Paladin" on Bronze Records ILPS 9150, featuring Lou Stonebridge, Derek Foley, Peter Solley, Pete Beckett and Keith Webb)

 

15. Taking Some Time On – BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST (June 1970 UK Debut LP "Their First Album" on Harvest SHVL 770)

 

16. Ricochet – JONESY (January 1973 UK 45-single on Dawn DNS 1030, A-side, an abridged edit of a track on their 1972 "No Alternative" LP)

 

17. Led Balloon – STEVE GRAY (1973 Various Artists Library Music LP "Fusion: Contemporary Styles In Electro-Pop" on KPM Music KPM 1121, credited as Steve Grey on the LP)

 

18. Big Boobs Boogie – SLOWLOAD (June 1971 UK Non-LP 45-single on Mam Records MAM 27, B-side of "On The Road Again")

 

19. Freelance Fiend – LEAFHOUND (October 1971 UK Debut LP rarity "Growers Of Mushrooms" on Decca SKL-R 5094, featuring Peter French later with Atomic Rooster)

 

20. Confunktion – DAVE RICHMOND (1975 Various Artists UK Library Music LP "Rock Spectrum" on KPM Music KPM 1163)

 

Across its 20-pages, Bob Stanley explains the choices and history of both the tunes and the bands - "Incident At A Free Festival" being a sort of tribute compilation to mid-afternoon slots by uppercoming combos who needed to win the crowd (unlike most of the headliners). The text as you can imagine is hugely informative and is accompanied on almost every name with photo memorabilia from the period - a Pink Fairies Music Press advert for the stand-alone 7" single "The Snake" b/w "Do It" - cool 45 labels like "Tomorrow Night" by Atomic Rooster on B&C Records abutting with Curved Air giving it some "Back Street Luv" on Warner Brothers (magic both of them). Stack Waddy's "Bugger Off!" LP on Dandelion up to a £2.09 advert by Decca for Leafhound's legendarily rare LP "Growers Of Mushrooms" of which there are said to be less than 500 copies.

 

The listen is very Prog Rock meets Hard Rock meets Funky Rock meets Flute and Synth Library Music on KPM and I must admit I mucked about with the track list's playing order on my CD player (I sequenced 13, 14, 15, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, 10, 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20). There is a truly amazing clarity across the presentation of what amounts to recordings from 1969 right through to 1975 - all of it sounds good, clear, punchy and in the cases of say Paladin and Hawkwind and May Blitz - better than ever (Remasters courtesy of Ace's long-standing Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS - a man with vast experience handling material like this). To the listen...

 

It opens with Deep Purple, Rod Evans as Lead Vocalist not quite convincing like Ian Gillan would do. Better for me is Mike Hugg taking the vocals on Manfred Mann's Chapter Three song ""One Way Glass" - a cool fusion-type tune that Trifle covered on their December 1970 UK LP "First Meeting" (Dawn DNLS 3017) - see my review for the 3CD Grapefruit Box Set from 2017 called  "One Way Glass: Dancefloor Prog, Brit Jazz & Funky Folk 1968-1975". Tremendous Drums and Poptastic Flute fill out a hammering Andwella while Members of Blue Mink - Alan Holdsworth and Alan Parker - moonlight on a Library Music LP with guitars and flute - one of those expensive and rare sets you can never find. 

 

Paul Rudolph of Pink Fairies puts in a blinding guitar solo for their sought-after B-side "Do It" - he who would eventually replace Lemmy in Hawkwind. Normally hard-rocking Stray manage a very swish groove with their "Taken All The Good Things" - teenagers getting it on in 1970. Can't say I'm enamoured with the sheer crazy of Edgar Broughton's "Out Demons Out" (some love it) and the riffage of the May Blitz track "For Mad Men Only" is a little too plodding for my refined pallet. Although it's a staggering 50-years plus since teenagers like me lusted after Sonja Kristina of Curved Air as they synth-trashed our groovy brains in 1971 with "Back Street Luv" - it still thrills and feels like that woman would sort out your lurve-life in a Brompton bike shed in no time at all. 

 

Trashy, grungeing, full of Pre-Punk attitude and snotty holler - the Hawkwind "Ejection" track for appeared as a Bonus on the 2001 EMI CD reissue for the band's 1972 third album "Doremi Fasol Latido" - Bob Calvert living up to his rep for balls-to-the-wall (here they use a 2011 Mix). The Stack Waddy track is fun at best, only OK at worst but the obscure band James Hogg is a brilliant inclusion/choice - their "Lovely Lady Rock" being a died-a-death debut 45 on Regal Zonophone that I must admit in 30 years of collecting seriously - I've never seen. And on it goes to Jonesy and Leafhound blowing our Prog-addled minds with Mellotron tales of Crimson alternatives and freelance mushrooms (yum yum). The four instrumental Library Music pieces give different flavours to the listen and make available on CD for the first time tracks we enthusiasts would rarely get a look in on.

 

Ace (of the UK) have also issued "Incident At A Free Festival" on a 2LP 20-Track Double-Album (no extras) on Ace Records XXQLP2 120 (Barcode 029667022019) – while Rough Trade have an exclusive – 300 Copies only on Denim Blue Vinyl on Ace Records XXQLP2 120RT - both also issued Friday, 24 Nov 2023.

 

I haven't loved-to-worrisome-oblivion every Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs compilation outing they've done for Ace Records, but as an entry in a good series of finally representing the underdogs - "Incident At A Free Festival" rocks. And that gatefold vinyl double is surely gonna make some black-stuff fanatic a very happy (mushroom) bunny indeed. Pass me the Wellingtons boys...I'm goin' in...again...

"Vagabonds Of The Western World: 50th Anniversary 2-LP Purple Vinyl" by THIN LIZZY - September 1973 UK Third Studio Album on Decca - 1974 USA with Phil Lynott, Erib Bell and Brian Downey, Jr. (17 November 2023 UK Universal/Decca '50th Anniversary 2-LP Purple Vinyl' Reissue and Remaster with an LP of Extra Tracks - Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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RATING: ***** (Audio and Presentation)

 

"...A Ride In The Lizzy Mobile..."

 

Back in October 2010 - Lizzy's third studio album (and final as a Trio with Eric bell on Lead Guitar) "Vagabonds Of The Western World" got the Universal '2CD Deluxe Edition' treatment - and I for one raved about its audio, presentation and extras. Time to re-rave frankly. 

 

You have to say that Universal has done the absolute dog's you-know-what by their 1973 third studio album for its 50th Anniversary Reissue here in 2023. I love these things so much that I've only gone and committed to all three big formats - the 50^th Anniversary 2-LP Purple Vinyl set with a fantastically complimentary Extras LP (which I'm reviewing here) and the 50^th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set that has a 60-page book to drool over with the album on LP1 and LPs 2, 3 and 4 being the 'Radio One In Concert/John Peel Sessions' from 1972 and 1973 that first appeared on "At The BBC" 6CD Box Set in 2011. Those BBC Sessions are first-issue on vinyl in the 4LP Box which I've reviewed elsewhere. The 4-Disc 50^th Anniversary Super Deluxe variant will also be a thing of '3CD/1BLU RAY/DOLBY ATMOS MIXES' lust - but it's been delayed and is due 1 Dec 2023 with the ATMOS Mixes being first-time-ever for a Lizzy release. At this point in time there appears to be no 2023 single LP, single CD or 2CD sets - just the above 3 variants in 50th Anniversary Issues. 

 

Back to LPs - I've bought great reissue vinyl before - David Sylvian on Virgin, Peter Gabriel on Real World and the stunning Paul Blackmore-Mastered expanded 2LP reissue of Terry Callier's 1968 Debut "The New Folk Sound Of..." on Craft Recordings in 2018 - all these sets have tickled the funny bones, touched the heart and are fabulous owns. But this 2LP set and the 4LP Box Set (reviewed elsewhere) are the business. Details for then and now...

 

Originally released as an album 21 September 1973 in the UK on Decca Records SKL 5170 (May 1974 in the USA on London XPS 636 with a slightly edited version of "Little Girl In Bloom") – the LP "Vagabonds Of The Western World" had huge tunes like the manic guitar-fest of "The Rocker", the slide guitar meets environmental statement song "Mama Nature Said" and the deeply touching and melodious "Little Girl In Bloom" - it was a huge song-writing step forward after "Thin Lizzy" of 1971 and "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" in 1972. Hip British DJ of the moment (1973) - David Kid Jensen narrates "The Hero And The Madman". It was also the first to feature their trademark look via Jim Fitzpatrick artwork and pointed towards a commercial Rock future that would take three more albums to arrive at "Jailbreak" and "Johnny The Fox" - both in 1976. Back to the first of the November 2023 "Vagabonds..." VINYL reissues - here are the heroes and the madmen...

 

Released Friday, 17 November 2023 - "Vagabonds Of The Western World" by THIN LIZZY on Universal/Decca 5587529 (Barcode 602455875297) is a Limited Edition 2-LP VINYL Set on Purple Vinyl - a 50th Anniversary Reissue with an Extra Album. It comes as a gatefold sleeve with two dedicated inners (the original was a single sleeve with a lyric insert) - LP1 being the original 1973 album of 8-tracks while LP2 has 10-tracks around the original release (Single-Sides, Edits, Outtakes). It plays out as follows:

 

LP1 "Vagabonds Of The Western World"

Side 1

1. Mama Nature Said

2. The Hero And The Madman 

3. Slow Blues

4. The Rocker

Side 2

1. Vagabond Of Western World

2. Little Girl In Bloom

3. Gonna Creep Up On You

4. A Song For While I'm Away

 

LP2 "Vagabonds Of The Western World - Bonuses"

Side 1

1. Whisky In The Jar (Single, A-side)

2. Black Boys On The Corner (Single, B-side)

3. Randolph's Tango (Single, A-side)

4. Broken Dreams (Single, B-side)

5. The Rocker (Single, A-side, Edit)

NOTES:

Tracks 1 and 2 are the A & B-sides of their second UK 7" single released 3 November 1972 on Decca F 13355. "Whisky In The Jar" (spelt with an 'e' only on American issues) was the real starting point for Thin Lizzy's global success. "Whisky" is a traditional Irish air dating as far back as 1729 and was originally only meant to be a jokey B-side dashed off in the studio to accompany "Black Boys On The Corner" on the A (far more representative of their rocking sound). But British DJ's flipped the single and "Whisky" became the hit. It finally charted January 1973 and eventually rose to number 6.

[Note: the version used here is commonly known as the 'Full Single Version' at 5:44 minutes. However a 7" 'edit' of the track was quickly pressed up for BBC Radio play and the US 7" single on London - this 'edit' version at 3:44 minutes is on the October 2010 UK 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" and on the December 2023 '50th Anniversary' Super Deluxe CD Edition

 

Tracks 3 and 4 are their 2nd UK 7" single released May 1973, both tracks on Decca F 13402 were non-album at the time.

[Note: the version of "Randolph's Tango" that is used here is known as the 'Full Version' at 3:49 minutes - the promo-only 7" edit at 2:25 minutes is Track 17 on the 2CD DE version of "Vagabonds..." from October 2010) 

 

Track 5 on Side 1 and Track 1 on Side 2 is their 3rd UK 7" single and the first to feature a track off the album. "The Rocker" (A-side) was issued as a 7" single in the UK in November 1973 on Decca F 13467 and is an edited version (2:41 as opposed to the album's 5:12 minutes). It was backed with another non-album Phil Lynott track, the jaunty "Here I Go Again". 

 

LP2 Side 2

1. Here I Go Again (Single, B-side)

2. A Ride In The Lizzy Mobile (Single, B-side)

3. Whiskey In The Jar (Alternate Mix, Extended Version)

4. Black Boys On The Corner (Alternate Mix)

5. Gonna Creep Up On You (Alternate Mix)

NOTES:

Track 5 on Side 1 and Track 1 on Side 2 is their 3rd UK 7" single and the first to feature a track off the album. "The Rocker" (A-side) was issued as a 7" single in the UK in November 1973 on Decca F 13467 and is an edited version (2:41 as opposed to the album's 5:12 minutes). It was backed with another non-album Phil Lynott track, the jaunty "Here I Go Again". 

 

Track 2 is non-album also. Often called "Cruising In The Lizzymobile" - its correct title "A Ride In The Lizzy Mobile" is used here. It is also a genuine Thin Lizzy vinyl rarity as it was only ever issued on the B-side of the 7" GERMAN release of "The Rocker". Its CD debut first came on the "Vagabonds Kings Warriors Angels" 4CD Box Set in 2001. Its rare picture sleeve is reproduced on the right flap of the inner gatefold (along with three other Euro Pic Sleeves) of this double-album. 

 

Tracks 3, 4 and 5 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 'Alternate Mixes'

 

The inner gatefold has the original album artwork from 1973 on the left side (counters the new 'outtake' Jim Fitzpatrick artwork on the front cover of this double) while the right-side flap has a Picture Sleeve Montage of four rare Euro 45s - "The Rocker" from Japan, Germany and Denmark with "Whisky In The Jar" from Denmark. Both dedicated inner sleeves feature promotional material from Decca in 1973 - a full page advert for the LP with quotes from British DJs and Fans John Peel and Kid Jensen along with cartoon adverts for "Whisky In The Jar" and "Randolph's Tango". 

 

It's all beautifully done and the mastering is by two fave Audio Engineers - ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM - who have handled huge swathes of Universal's Rock and Pop catalogue - Rory Gallagher, Budgie, Free, Spooky Tooth, ELP, Uriah Heep and Thin Lizzy too. The new Remasters are fabulous - loving too the Alternate Mixes. I can see why they were left in the can, but for a diehard like me - they're absolutely fascinating stuff. Apart from not listing playing times on the labels - I'd have to say that this 2LP VINYL reissue is not only a fabulous listen - that 2ND LP plays like the big-ball-brother little-brother "Vagabonds..." has always wanted. I'm going to be canning this on my turntable for months on end. 

 

A gorgeous reissue then and apart from not listing playing times on the labels - I'd have to say that this 2LP VINYL reissue is not only a fabulous listen - that 2ND LP plays like the big-balls-brother little-brother "Vagabonds Of The Western World" has always wanted as a room mate. I'm going to be canning this on my turntable for months on end.

 

The Black Vinyl '50th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set' edition of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" (Issued 17 Nov 2023 on Universal/Decca 5587518 - Barcode 602455875181) are all different too. LP1 is the album remastered with no less than three BBC Sessions (two with John Peel) on the other three LPs (unreleased stuff too). The £110 Box Set is accompanied by a gorgeous 60-Page Book with Rare Memorabilia Pictured and New Notes by Mark Blake. 

 

But back to what we've got - at just under forty-quid, this Double Album 2023 Reissue of "Vagabonds..." is not exactly cheap - but it is the business. But then, as this is Thin Lizzy and as an Irishman and Dubliner who once saw Phil Lynott busking on Grafton Street when I was a kid before the first LP was even out – I am a goner. A truly superb combo set that works - buy and treasure...