While you could make an argument that in hindsight guitarist Eric Bell's decision to leave Thin Lizzy at the beginning of 1974 perhaps wasn't a good one. However the fact of the matter is that after slogging it out on the road for four years their first three albums had failed to make much of impact. By the time Thin Lizzy's third album Vagabonds of the Western World was released in the fall of 1973 Bell was becoming more and more disillusioned with the business side of the record industry, and to make matters worse he was also battling his own personal demons as well. Eric realized that if he didn't get out right then and there that the chances were pretty good he would end up another rock 'n roll casualty. When you see how bandleader Phillip Lynott handled the ensuing fame, the endless grind on the road and how the years of drinking and drugging eventually pulled the rug out from under him in 1986, it's hard to imagine Eric made the wrong decision all those years ago.
After toiling in relative obscurity for much of the remainder of the 70's and practically all of the 80's it appeared that Bell was perhaps destined to live out the rest of his life in the tall shadows of his former band. His output has been somewhat sporadic over the years but it's important not to lose sight of the fact that what's really important here is that he's still alive and giving us new music when he can. His long awaited new album Lonely Nights In London which has just been released by Angel Air is his first studio record in over ten years
Featuring ten tracks Lonely Nights In London finds Eric, who is now in his early sixties, comfortably settling into his role as an elder statesman of the blues. There's a fantastic live off the floor feeling to this recording as Eric and his band, rounded out by bassist Brian Bethell and drummer Romek Parol keeps things pretty loose here. While never a particularly strong vocalist, Bell doesn't tackle anything outside of his range on this mixed set of original compositions and cover versions. His guitar chops are still intact and he serves up some greasy sounding licks on his cover of the blues standard "Hoochie Coochie Man", as well as a fairly spirited romp through "Shake Your Moneymaker". The old steel guitar and slide are dug out for a superb unaccompanied interpretation of Johnny Winter's "Dallas". Other highlights here include the wah-wah drenched "On The Road Blues", the acoustic, autobiographical "Belfast Blues", and the sizzling title track in which he fires off a series of crisp and tasteful solos that unlike many of today's younger players, emphasizes quality over quantity. The disc concludes fittingly enough with his stirring rendition of a traditional Gaelic ballad entitled "Taimse Im Chodladh".
If you're looking for flash and guitar pyrotechnics then you've come to the wrong place and Eric Bell is not the guitar player for you. However if you want to experience a seasoned musician who has not only gotten better with age, but one who pours his very heart and soul into every carefully selected note then pick up Lonely Nights In London because you will not be disappointed. Good on ya Eric! More please!
Track Listing
1) You're My Only Woman
2) Hoochie Coochie Man
3) Dallas
4) On The Road Blues
5) Lonely Nights In London
6) Me And Technology
7) Nitrous Oxide
8) Belfast Blues
9) Shake Your Moneymaker
10) Taimse Im Chodladh
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