Thin Lizzy-Live in London 2011

Four Worlds Media
2011

The question is can you have Thin Lizzy without Philip Lynott? While founding member Brian Downey has every right to use the name it just doesn't seem right. Hell you don't even have the excellent guitar playing of John Sykes on this live disc. Ok, so joining Brian Downey are Scott Gorham and Darren Wharton (who did play in Thin Lizzy with Phil Lynott at one point) along with Def Leppard's Viv Campbell (guitar), bassist Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake/Ted Nugent) and The Almighty's Ricky Warwick on vocals and guitar. The problem is that even with all these heavy hitters "Live In London 2011" doesn't sound like a Thin Lizzy album. Instead these 20 tracks here sound more like a glorified cover band than anything. I wanted to like this and I gave it a chance. Without Phil though it sounds hollow and the magic is gone. If your a casual Thin Lizzy fan you might enjoy this. If your more of a die hard fan though you'll want to pass this one over. And finally if your reading about Thin Lizzy for the first time and have never heard them other than their "hits" I'd suggest working your way through their back catalog. It's well worth your time and money. Thin Lizzy are so much more than just "The Boys Are Back In Town" and "Jailbreak". They are a classic hard rock band who should have been laid to rest after Phil's passing. He was the heart and soul of Thin Lizzy and playing without him is like having the Rolling Stones play without Mick Jagger or Led Zeppelin playing without Robert Plant. It simply does not work. Don't even get me started on The Doors playing without Jim Morrison or Queen carrying on without Freddie Mercury. Some things just shouldn't happen.