Thin Lizzy- R1971- 3*
Shades Of A Blue Orphanage- R1972- 2*
Vagabonds Of The Western World- R1973- 3*

Early transmissions from Planet Lynott, remastered with additional tracks
On the evidence of their debut LP, Thin Lizzy seemed destined more for cult status among the Dungeons & Dragons fraternity than rock superstardom. Here, brooding ruminations on Celtic folklore (“Eire”), sit beside bonkers “Stonehenge”-style fantasies (“The Friendly Ranger At Clontarf Castle”) and Hendrix-lite rock-outs (“Ray-Gun”).

But if Shades Of A Blue Orphanage offers only flashes of Lynott’s genius – not least on the seven-minute title track – it’s on Vagabonds… that Lynott really begins to find his muse, and on “The Rocker”, locates the leather-clad lothario persona that would later be his trademark. Not that such a learning curve would be tolerated these days. Perfect examples of artist development in action, these splendid reissues should be played to all inductees on the first day at A&R school.

PAUL MOODY

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