Thin Lizzy
Still Dangerous-Live At The Tower Theater Philadelphia 1977
Review By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
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  Thin Lizzy... G-ds of 70s rock ‘n' roll. They one of many that populated our lives during this brilliant period of music we now call Classic Rock. Lead singer and bass player Phil Lynot was the ultimate bad boy and then paid the price by shortening his life due to alcoholism. Some people never learn their lessons in life. We did learn one thing for the short time that Phil graced our presence, his band Thin Lizzy created some of the greatest guitar rock ever recorded. I had the pleasure of witnessing it with my own two eyes back around the time Still Dangerous- Live At The Tower Theater Philadelphia 1977 was recorded. I saw them open for Queen. It is one of the concerts that remain clear as day in my mind, as if it happened yesterday. I cannot say that about all the concerts I attended back in those days.

I had the pleasure of hearing the CD then receiving the special vinyl LP version of this live recording. The gatefold sleeves are filled with colorful live shots of the band during that time period and in the second sleeve is a bonus, a quality pressed 45 housed in a striking black sleeve with "Bad Reputation" b/w a rousing version of "Emerald." The LP has the identical 10 tracks as the CD but contains that distinct vinyl sound. You can hear the difference once the digital pressing of the CD is removed. It sounds richer in tones and gives you that throwback feeling if you happen to like to collect vinyl or grew up on it like yours truly. This is not to say that CD is subpar by any means, it rocks, and the sound is incredibly good.

Live and Dangerous (1978) is one of the greatest live albums of all time; ranking right up there with classics like Uriah Heep Live and Deep Purple's Made In Japan. Now we have another classic that falls right in line with the rest and is a direct extension of the original that came out in 1978.

Original member and lead guitar player Scott Gorham (guitar) unearthed the original source tapes and famed producer Glyn Johns (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones) came out of retirement to remix and remaster it. The recording sounds exceptionally good while rocking with the vibrancy of a true rock spirit that this band had and it catches them at their very peak of performance.

One listen to "Baby Drives Me Crazy", a call and answer with Phil and the audience, is one example of how they could captivate their audiences for an entire performance. The following track "Me and the Boys" crystallizes the entire evening while showcasing the band's talents as musicians and the cohesive rock juggernaut they where when firing on all cylinders. Gorham and Brian Robertson were a formidable one-two lead guitar punch that many bands would emulate long after their demise.

Still Dangerous-Live At The Tower Theater Philadelphia 1977 is testament to Thin Lizzy the band, the power of their live performances during their peak, and the brilliant mastering and remixing techniques of Glyn Johns. I would highly recommend getting both versions of this classic rock live recording.

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