Recorded on their 1975 UK tour promoting the album Fighting, this archival live release from Thin Lizzy is a perfect complement to the famous Live and Dangerous album which was recorded on their 1978 tour, a few years after this show at the Derby College of Technology in Derby, England. Though Uk Tour 75 is not nearly as slick as Live and Dangerous and certainly more raw, it shows the classic line-up of Phil Lynott, Brian Robertson, Scott Gorham, and Brian Downey fully starting to come into their own. Those into the earlier Thin Lizzy albums will appreciate the set list here, as the more popular numbers that came later like "The Boys Are Back In Town" and "Jailbreak" had yet to permeate their stage show, and instead you get some really strong tracks like "Fighting My Way Back", "Wild One", "For Those Who Love to Live", and "Little Darling" mixed in with old favorites "Suicide", "Rosalie", "The Rocker", and "Sha La La".
As there were no overdubs added to this radio release, you get Thin Lizzy warts and all, and that's just fine. Robertson and Gorham are surely one of the best guitar duos of all time, and their playing on an extended "Still In Love With You" or the scorching numbers "Showdown" or "Me and the Boys" is worth the price of admission. Leader Phil Lynnot is in fine voice throughout (great hearing him interact with the audience) and his muscular bass playing was always underrated in my book. There's also an early version of "Cowboy Song" included here, as the band started to preview some of the material that would wind up on the Jailbreak album. In addition to the 14 classic tracks included here, this release also features at the end a short soundcheck blues jam (which was recorded just before the band went on), which is a brief yet welcome plus for loyal fans.
UK Tour 75 was put out by MLP Productions, who also put out the excellent Gentle Giant Live in Stockholm 1975 release recently. This one also comes in a similar cardboard mini-LP package, including a wonderful booklet jam-packed with live photos of the band and an essay from Brian Downey as he looks back on the gig. Sound- wise, like I mentioned earlier, it's not as glossy as Live and Dangerous, but it's pretty good overall, and the band were on fire and really rocking hard.
if you are a fan of Thin Lizzy this is an absolutely essential purchase.
Track Listing
1. Fighting My Way Back 3:51
2. It's Only Money 3:34
3. Wild One 4:24
4. For Those Who Love To Live 5:06
5. Still In Love With You 9:22
6. Showdown 5:32
7. Suicide 5:07
8. Rosalie 3:59
9. The Rocker 3:55
10. Sha La La 7:09
11. Baby Drives Me Crazy 6:24
12. Me And The Boys 6:43
13. Cowboy Song (Derby Blues) 6:49
14. Little Darling 3:13
15. Sound Check Jam 2:47
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