Phil Lynott
Philip Lynott was the singer and bassist for Thin Lizzy. He also put out two fabulous solo albums that departed from the heavy metal sounds of Thin Lizzy. After his untimely death, several compilations of other material has also shown up. Both these discs have been out of print for quite a while.

Philip Lynott - Solo in Soho (Vertigo) 1980

1. "Dear Miss Lonely Hearts" (4:10)
2. "King's Call" (3:38)
3. "Child's Lullaby" (2:42)
4. "Tattoo (Giving It All up for Love)" (3:19)
5. "Solo in Soho" (4:13)
6. "Girls" (3:59)
7. "Yellow Pearl" (4:04)
8. "Ode to a Black Man" (4:04)
9. "Jamaican Rum" (2:42)
10. "Talk in 79" (2:56)

This is a fabulous album, although nothing like his band Thin Lizzy. Jimmy Bain (Rainbow, Dio) plays bass on much of the album and co-wrote "Dear Miss Lonely Hearts." Brian Robertson, Huey Lewis, Scott Gorham, Snowey White, all who have had connections with Thin Lizzy at one time or another, also make guest appearances on "Solo in Soho."

Philip Lynott - The Philip Lynott Album (Vertigo) 1982

1. "Fatalistic Attitude" (4:37)
2. "Man's a Fool" (2:59)
3. "Old Town" (3:28)
4. "Cathleen" (3:34)
5. "Growing Up" (5:01)
6. "Yellow Pearl" (2:58)
7. "Together" (3:40)
8. "Little Bit of Water" (3:35)
9. "Ode to Liberty (Protest Song)" (5:48)
10. "Gino" (4:10)
11. "Don't Talk About Me Baby" (4:30)

On both solo albums, Phil Lynott strays far from the Thin Lizzy formula and writes rock and pop songs that strive for memorable hooks and are related to growing up in the rough end of Ireland. Of particular interest is that ex-Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain has some writing credits on the album as well as "Solo in Soho." The Phil Lynott Album did generate a European hit in a remodeled version of techno-dance song "Yellow Pearl" (co-written by Midge Ure of Ultravox). Other guest musicians include: Brian Downey and Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy, Huey Lewis, and several other studio musicians.

Phil Lynott - Live in Sweden 1983 (Zoom Club) 2001

1. "Yellow Pearl" (4:38)
2. "Old Town" (4:19)
3. "Sarah" (3:32)
4. "A Night In the Life of a Blues Singer" (6:52)
5. "Look In These Eyes" (7:31)
6. "Parisienne Walkways" (6:20)
7. "Solo in Soho" (5:56)
8. "King's Call" (5:31)
9. "Baby Drives Me Crazy" (7:30)
10. "The Boys Are Back In Town" (5:52)
11. "Still In Love With You" (9:45)

Now this is a killer show. Phil Lynott and John Sykes together performing material from Thin Lizzy and Phil's solo discs. This disc is, of course, much mellower than a Thin Lizzy gig. Still, hearing these songs performed live is quite enjoyable. "King's Call" is a great Thin Lizzy song and one that is rarely heard live. This particular disc was released officially in 2002. I also have the limited edition double disc, box version. See below.

Phil Lynott - Live in Sweden 1983 (Zoom Club) 2001

The limited edition double disc, box version of "Live in Sweden". Disc one was recorded live in Orebro, Sweeden, August 15, 1983. Disc two was recorded on the very next night in Avesta, Sweden. From what I know, this double disc set was only printed in quantities of 500 making this one of the gems of my cd collection. (Thanks Olaf)

Phil Lynott's Grand Slam - Twilight's Last Gleaming (Majestic Rock) 2003

DISC ONE
1. "Yellow Pearl" (5:08)
2. "Nineteen" (5:07)
3. "Sister's of Mercy" (7:40)
4. "Harlem" (6:09)
5. "Breakdown" (8:10)
6. "Here We Go" (3:08)
7. "Cold Sweat" (3:33)
8. "Gay Boys" (6:25)
9. "Can't Get Away" (7:59)
10. "Dedication" (5:22)
11. "Parisienne Walkways" (5:21)
12. "Military Man" (7:23)

DISC TWO
1. Crime Rate" (6:10)
2. Military Man" (7:09)
3. Dedication" (5:15)

Limited digipak edition of 2003 compilation culled from their very last live performances of Phil's Grand Slam. A majority of the material here is from London's Marquee Club on Dec 4th 1984. The sound isn't pristine but isn't bad either. Phil actually sounds pretty bright eyed on this compilation, playfully chatting with the audience between songs. This collector's CD is wrapped in a gatefold digipak and comes with an 8-page insert.

Phil Lynott - The Lost Recordings (HotPress) 2006

1. "Mama and Papa" (2:25)
2. "Saga of the Ageing Orphan" (3:00)
3. "It's Really Worthwhile" (3:22)
4. "Dublin" (2:50)
5. "The Friendly Ranger at Clontarf Castle" (2:31)

While labeled as Phil Lynott, this is essentially a Thin Lizzy EP as Eric Bell is the guitarist on these tracks, and this was an early incarnation of Thin Lizzy. "The Lost Recordings" features five songs that were recorded in early 1970.. There are different versions of 'Saga Of The Ageing Orphan' and 'The Friendly Ranger At Clontarf Castle' both of which appeared on the album Thin Lizzy (1971). There is also a different recording of 'Dublin' which appeared on the New Day EP (1971). The remaining two songs - 'Mama And Papa' and 'It's Really Worthwhile' - are effectively 'new' and 'unreleased' as they were never otherwise recorded. Apparently the tapes for these tracks were securly locked up at Trend Studios in Dublin for all these years. All five tracks are far removed from the twin guitar attack that Lizzy would be known for. Rather, these tracks are acoustic based and are more Irish folk than rock. The CD comes out to coinicide with Lynott's birthday on August 20, which is also the first anniversary of the unveiling of his statue, beside Bruxelles in Dublin. The EP was only released through the local music magazine HotPress and will not be reissued in any form making this an instant collector's item. (extra special thanks to my good friend Kieran for hooking me up with this!)

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