Amidst the flood of Thin Lizzy concert videos bubbling to the surface in recent
years, it’s hard to know which ones are worthwhile. The short answer?
All of them as long Phil Lynott is at front and center. Recent live CDs and
DVDs have focused almost exclusively on the classic mid 70s lineup of Lynott,
drummer Brian Downey, and guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. Are
You Ready?, filmed in Germany in 1981 for the Rockpalast cameras,
is the latest offering that captures a latter-day version of a band that always
packed a vicious punch to the soul.
During the 70s and early 80s, Thin Lizzy went through a number personnel changes,
but the lineup of Lynott, Downey, Gorham and Robertson is probably considered
the most vibrant, having been the muscle behind four of the group’s most
celebrated albums — Jailbreak, Johnny The Fox,
Bad Reputation and the ripping double live set, Live
And Dangerous. After Robertson left for the final time, Gary Moore
returned to the fold briefly, but was eventually replaced by guitarist Snowy
White, who appears with Lynott, Gorham, Downey and keyboardist Darren Wharton
on Are You Ready?. Both loyal followers and casual fans alike
of Thin Lizzy may be intrigued to see how well things meshed within this short-lived
lineup.
Even as he was battling his own demons, Lynott was still a captivating player
live as well as in the studio in 1981. His take-charge temperament kicks in
the minute the band opens with “Are You Ready?” and stays on high
alert through hits like “Jailbreak,” “The Boys Are Back In
Town” and “Rosalie.” The double-lead guitar assault for which
the group became known is still rapid fire and sticky between Gorham and White,
although the newer guitarist is much more restrained than his predecessors (due,
quite likely, to the fact that he backed David Gilmour on two Pink Floyd tours).
Nevertheless, the band sounds like they’re hitting their stride as a sturdy,
hard rockin’unit primed and ready to stay the course.
To truly appreciate this combination of musicians at their mightiest, check
out “Waiting For An Alibi,” from the highly underrated 1979 album,
Black Rose: A Rock Legend, which finds Gorham and White locking
in between dashes of Lynott’s arresting melody and assured vocal. “Memory
Pain” builds on the momentum and “Hollywood” keeps the band
on their tinkling toes. “Cowboy Song” taps into a more introspective
side of Lynott’s psyche, allowing the band to explore a wider dimension
of sound and dynamics. And though it’s difficult to imagine a set without
“Bad Reputation,” heavy tomes like “Suicide,” from 1975’s
Fighting album, along with “Sugar Blues” (there’s that incomparable
drumming from Downey!) and “Baby Drives Me Crazy,” are strong enough
to keep the energy up and lively.
Before breaking into a smooth, evenly paced “Chinatown,” Lynott
jokingly attributes a cough he has to alcohol, drugs and sex. What a shame that
five years later, excess would contribute to his demise. Over 20 years later,
any document of the man, video horizontal rolls notwithstanding, is something
to be cherished. Add Are You Ready? on to the pile and witness
how Thin Lizzy straddled the cusp of greatness, even right up to the last note.
~ Shawn Perry
