Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Nightlife
Company: Vertigo
Catalog: VEL-2002
Year: 1974
Country/State: Dublin, Ireland
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: minor ring wear
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5806
Price: $15.00
Co-produced by Phil Lynott and Ron Nevison, 1974's "Nightlife" tends to get labeled as an 'also ran' effort released before the band had jelled and made the big time. I'd beg to disagree. With the addition of guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson (the latter was 17 at the time), the album sounded incredibly fresh and energetic; far tougher than their earlier releases and far better than some of the stuff Lynott and company would start to phone-in after the band became successful. True, the quartet occasionally sounded a bit tentative as they dipped their collective toes into a variety of genres including blues (Night Life'') and even a jazzy groove ('Showdown'). Regardless, at least in part due to the fact the album was so different from what was to come, the results were almost uniformly impressive.
- The album opened with the most commercial offering - the glistening 'She Knows'. Kicked along Lynott's instantly recognizable voice, chirpy guitars, and the simple, but irresistible chorus, it was a near perfect single. Hard to believe the song didn't provide the band with a massive international hit. rating: ***** stars
- 'Night Life' was a nice, swinging blues piece. Employing his patented snarl, Lynott sounded right at home, turning in a reflective performance with a fantastic solo (not sure if it was Gorham or Robertson). If they'd lost the heavy orchestration I would have given it another star. rating: *** stars
- Opening up with some nice fuzz guitar that underpinned the entire song, 'It's Only Money' served to score Thin Lizzy's ability to make hard rock commercial. rating: *** stars
- A collaboration with the great Frankie Miller, 'Still In Love with You' had everything going for it. A wonderful slow, bluesy ballad, the song had a stunning melody and featured two fantastic guitar solos; one apparently from guest guitarist Gary Moore and the other from Gorham or Robertson. Not sure who played what, but the first solo was an amazing display of fluidity and tastefulness while the second solo recalled some of Santana's more melodic moves. Ironically former guitarist Gary Moore apparently wrote most of the song, though he didn't get any of the credit. Simply a classic track that every Thin Lizzy and Frankie Miller fan should hear. rating: ***** stars
- With Lynott kind of talking his way through much of the song, the piano-driven 'Frankie Carroll' was the lone side one disappointment. An overly sentimental story (a recurring flaw with Lynott's writing), the ballad was all but drown by the wall of sound arrangements. rating: ** stars
- For anyone accustom to the hard rockin' Thin Lizzy, 'Showdown' was a major surprise. A low-keyed, almost jazzy number it wasn't the set's best track, but was worth hearing because it was so different, which may have been the reason it was tapped as a single. Nice guitar solo at the end. rating: ** stars
- The album's one throwaway, 'Banshee' was a brief atmospheric instrumental that would have made an okay soundtrack for an aspirin commercial. rating: ** stars
- While it wasn't nearly as commercial as 'She Knows', 'Philomena' recaptured the band's Irish roots. IN spite of Lynott's strange Irish accent (he sounded like someone trying to sound Irish), if you liked 'Whiskey In the Jar' this one was likely to appeal to you as well. Frankly, other than the guitar solo, I found it kind of ponderous. rating: ** stars
- 'Sha-La-La' was easily the standout track. A pounding, snarling rocker, this was a precursor to the band's upcoming commercial breakthrough. Kudos to Downey for his powerhouse drumming and Robertson got credit for the lead on this one. Shame that the song faded out just as he was starting to power-up. rating: ***** stars
- I've always found Lynott's ballads to be either extremely touching, or outright schlock. For me 'Dear Heart' fell into the latter category. The heavy string arrangement didn't help matters. I will admit that once again, the song was somewhat redeemed by a great guitar solo. rating *** stars
In Europe the album was tapped for a pair of singles:
- 1974's 'Philomena' b/w 'Sha-La-La' (catalog number 6059 111)
- 1974's 'Showdown' b/e 'Night Life' (catalog number VEL-2000
A promotional single was also floated in the States:
- 1974's 'Showdown' b/w 'Showdown' (catalog number VE-DG-7)
Not the perfect Thin Lizzy LP, but there were more than enough highlights to make it one of my favorites.
"Nightlife" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) She Knows (Phil Lynott - Scott Gorham) - 5:13
2.) Night Life (Phil Lynott) - 3:35
3.) It's Only Money (Phil Lynott) - 2:47
4.) Still In Love with You (Phil Lynott) - 5:40
5.) Frankie Carroll (Phil Lynott) - 2:02
(side
2)
1.) Showdown (Phil Lynott) - 4:30
2.) Banshee (instrumental) (Phil Lynott) - 1:25
3.) Philomena (Phil Lynott) - 3:47
4.) Sha-La-La (Phil Lynott - Snowy Downey) - 3:47
5.) Dear Heart (Phil Lynott) - 4:50
Credited as Live At The Stadium in Dublin, YouTube has a 1975 performance of 'Showdown'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUSOfo-dzHI
'Sha-La-La' is taken from their "Live and Dangerous" tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F_EJ1o_agk
SRB 10/2009
