Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
1978
Album Summary
Live and Dangerous is a live double album by the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, released in June 1978. It was recorded in London in 1976, and Philadelphia and Toronto in 1977, with further production in Paris. It was also the last Thin Lizzy album to feature guitarist Brian Robertson, who left the band shortly after its release. The band decided to release a live album after their producer Tony Visconti did not have enough time to work on a full studio session. They listened through various archive recordings from earlier tours and compiled the album from the best versions. Various studio overdubs were made to the live recordings during early 1978 in Paris; exactly how much of the album is overdubbed has been a contentious topic since its release. The album reached No. 2 in the UK album charts, ultimately selling over half a million copies in the UK. It has continued to attract critical acclaim and it has appeared in several lists of the greatest live albums of all time.
WikipediaA live Thin Lizzy album is not high on my list of things I want to listen to. The music is pretty middle of the road and this album lacked the energy of most good live albums. Turns out, that's because Thin Lizzy straight up cheated and overdubbed a bunch of the parts after the fact. So it's only kinda live. The result is a the audio equivalent of flat beer. You can taste what it should be and it'll deliver alcohol... But it's just not enjoyable.
"Is there anyone here with a little Irish in them ?" Crowd screams yeh. "Any of the girls want a little more in Irish in them"
I'm not a fan of this one. There is so much guitar/bass/drums music from the 70s, I really had enough of it. I can only remember fondly or listen to G/B/D bands that had something really special (originality or virtuoso musicians). And this isn't the case with this group and album. Yeah the guitar, bass and drums are good but there are many better and moreover there is nothing original about the instrument playing or songwriting that makes me want to keep listening. The 70s had guitar phenoms so good they could that they could make a band that's not original stand out. Jimmy Page was so good he made Led Zep good. (Overplayed to the point I can't listen to them anymore but that's another story). The guitars don't get Thin LIz there. The bass player is also good but what is he doing that Entwistle hadn't done years earlier and a lot better? The drummer's slapping the gong at the end of Southbound puts a cherry on my point that they are followers rather than leaders. I thought even Kiss was ringing the gong before Thin Liz. How embarrassing is that? I'm was a little surprised to learn there are two guitar players but I did hear duelling solos. This would have been fun to see in concert but having two guitars also gives the opportunity for consistently good rhythm and there is really not much rhythm guitar to get excited about. I planned to listen until they played Boys are Back in Town but ended up listening to it all. Unfortunately, I was reminded of the worst part of 70s rock concerts: the tiresome drum solo. The 2+ minutes of TL's drum solo are minutes I will not get back and could've spent listening to more of the 1001 albums I need to listen to. Fothermucker! Apologies to any TL fans out there. Also apologies in advance to fans of "The Song Remains the Same" if that's on the 1001. That bad boy will get max 1 star based solely on the length of the drum solo.
Glorious, seemingly effortless hard rock. Some absolute classic tracks. Fave track - on this play through, "Massacre" really jumped out at me. Tends to get overshadowed by their more well known tunes, but it landed for me this time...
What a live album, what a voice. I can't believe I had gone my whole life without listening to Dancing in the Moonlight. Never making that mistake again
Awesome album. Such a distinctive sound both musically and vocally. Dancing in the moonlight is the best song amongst many great songs. It kind of reminded me of a Van song, who was idolised by Phil Lynott and whose bandmates in Them, later joined Thin Lizzy.
Let's just get this right out of the way early: Huey Lewis is on this album, playing harmonica on "Baby Drives Me Crazy". So this automatically gets 2 stars just for that surprising little nugget. And I'm not especially a Huey Lewis fan at all. Thin Lizzy gets my consideration as one of the more underrated bands of all-time. Most people only know them for "The Boys Are Back In Town" (a stellar version of which appears here as part of a seamless one-two punch with "Cowboy Song"). Most of Thin Lizzy's output holds up quite well. I don't usually like live albums, but I love this one. I wouldn't be upset to also find the Jailbreak album on this list. Apparently there's a sector of folks who immediately dismiss this album, claiming it's "overdubbed". Don't ALL Live albums have overdubs? The only unpolished live albums are bootlegs. And down at Dino's Bar'n'Grill the drink will flow and blood will spill, and if the boys wanna fight, you better let 'em.
I tend to not love live albums unless there is something really unique in the performance. This one, being a double album, I found to drag on a bit toward the end. I liked the 4 song run between "Dancing in the Moonlight" and "Johnny the Fox," gravitating more toward the slower songs.
I don’t know if ‘Live And Dangerous’ is the best live album of all time, or whether it’s not a true live album at all because it was re-recorded in the studio and overdubbed with crowd noise to make it sound live. What I do know is that it rocks hard and is lots of fun, with many moments throughout to indulge in the hedonistic dream of being a rock god whilst perfecting one’s air guitar skills. ‘Live And Dangerous’ won’t change the world, but there’s worse ways to spend 75 minutes.
Listened Before? N Holy S**T! What an amazing introduction to Thin Lizzy. This live album is an absolute masterpiece from beginning to end. Banger after banger lined up in a row. The lead guitar is absolutely face-melting in every song, and the band's energy is full-tilt. I am unsure how I have basically completely missed this band until now. Everyone knows "The Boys are Back in Town", and I was familiar with "Jailbreak" but every other song here is wonderful as well. I see no real cons here. This will be my first 5-star album. Added to Library? Y Songs added to Playlist - The Boys are Back in Town
I was already predisposed to enjoying the tough guy streetwalker tracks that still get radio play, and the slower more romantic songs are well done even if they're not my preference, but the more intense songs about historical violence that Iron Maiden basically took wholesale blew me away (and sure enough, as I write this I discover that Maiden actually did in fact record a cover of Massacre). They're lucky this album kicks as much ass as it does, or I would've been more upset about the blatant overdubbing. Key Tracks: Emerald, Massacre, Cowboy Song
A double live album that's pulled from several different shows and later overdubbed is bound to be rather unenjoyable, and that's before considering that it's mediocre 70s rock. I have no idea how this made anybody's list of essential albums. Completely disposable. Best track: Massacre
Ahhhhahh fuck yesss this is great. So my vibe. Every song is an absolute tune FUCK YESSSS Classic Boys are back in town, yessss Fantastic album. First 5/5 I reckon
Har ikke hørt dette live-albumet før. Men for et album! Fantastisk(!) åpning med Jailbreak. Tipper litt over mot litt kjedelig blues til tider, men henter seg mesterlig inn med diamanter som Cowboy Song, Warriors og The Rocker.
un cinco. Tienen una versión de whiskey on the jar muy buena, aunque no está en este disco.
I like this a lot. Nice and rocky. My favourite live album of all time.
Rollicking good time. Surprised how much I like this band! I'm glad to discover so much beyond "The Boys Are Back in Town." Also, I always thought they were American. That voice sounds like a cross between Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, and lyrics have a similar quality to many of their songs.. But it turns out they're Irish, which just interests me more.
- so much fun, great vibes - great quality for a live album - left the album radio on all day - so many likes
Loved every second of this. Such a great stage presence and an amazing sound. I've listened to this album before, but it had been a while.
I’ve apparently been heavily sleeping on Thin Lizzy. Fantastic album, only track I didn’t love was Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed.
yeah, that was kinda fucking awesome. i have kinda mixed feelings about them overall, but that must've been one hell of a live show. also, huey freakin' lewis on harmonica! that's a fun surprise
Easy 5/5, I really like a few of these songs, Lynott has an amazing statue you really should see, and for flow I guess you can't beat a live performance. I did previously think I really didn't like live versions of songs, but after a whole album I think I realise where I've been going wrong.
rock n roll baby. better version of “Dancing in the Moonlight”? would definitely see live x
First time hearing anything more than the Boys are Back in Town, it was gray.
Damn good rockin. Favorite tracks are Warriors and Baby Drives Me Crazy
This is what a live album should sound like. Every band should be made to listen to this and told "If you are going to play live, you are aspiring to reach this level.
This is the kind of music that got me into music in the first place. Rock guitar and great hooks. Will be listening to this album a lot.
Boys are back, Rosalie, Don't believe a word, Cowboy Song, Whiskey, Still in love, Dancing, Jailbreak
-"Jailbreak" has some solid riffs and some cool guitar stuff -"Massacre" is a total jam and also the bass slide/riff at 1:17 is gnarly -"Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed" is just a fundamentally great song name -The transition straight from "Cowboy Song" straight into "The Boys Are Back in Town" is cool. Also, "The Boys Are Back in Town" is one of the only 2 Thin Lizzy songs I previously knew (the other being "Cold Sweat") and the bass part seems to be amped up for the live version and I quite like it. -Awesome jams in "Massacre," "Warrior," "Are You Ready," and "Suicide" -Totally awesome live rock album, will absolutely be doing more listening
One of the best live albums I've listened to.There isn't one bad song on the album. And the transition from one track to another is pretty amazing. As I read there is a big debate about how ‘live’ Live and Dangerous is. My opinion is who fckin cares? Live and Dangerous is a great sounding album, it’s perfectly produced and mixed. I'm gonna exclude the 2 songs I already knew, "The Boys are Back in Town" and "Jailbreak". Most favourite tracks from the album: Southbound Rosalie/ Cow girl's song Dancing in the Moonlight Still in Love with You Cowboy Song
Still my favourite live album of all time. Saw them at 'Empire Pool' Wembley on this tour.
BOY this was a good record. I like “The Boys Are Back In Town” just as much as the next guy, but the power and gravitas of this one blew me away. Phill Lynott sounds so fucking cool on this album
I love this album. I don't listen to much hard rock anymore but this one still hits - everything about the dual/harmony guitars, Phil Lynott's voice, vocal harmonies, the band's tight power, the mix, the song selections - there's never too much heavy as they'll drop back to more melodic songs (e.g. Emerald to Southbound) or classic mellow rock (Dancing In The Moonlight). Rock/Metal/Groove/Soulful. oh - plus some bonus Huey Lewis late in the album (he was part of their touring band in these days). 9/10 5 stars. ...who doesn't always get chocolate stains on their pants...
I recognized way more songs than I realized! True bangers. Made me wanna play air guitar all over my living room!
The entire album is available on Apple Music. And fuck me, it's worth making the effort. I'm not a fan of heavy metal, but surely live music doesn't get much better. Forget the 2 different gigs / overdubs stuff, this is better than anything Thin Lizzy did in a studio.
Heard before: not live! I didn't expect to love this so much. It absolutely rips. What a great live band.
I find live albums to be either outstanding or terrible, no middle ground, and this is outstanding.
THE live rock album. Wall to wall bangers, screaming guitar solos, Phil's exquisite voice, and ENERGY. Friday night they'll be dressed to kill Down at Dino's bar and grill The drink will flow, and blood will spill And if the boys wanna fight, you better let 'em Fav tracks: All of 'em - 5/5
One of the best bands ever. Never heard this live album before. A real gem. The first half is back to back classics. 11/10
really good - 9/10 loved the part where (unless I heard it wrong,) the audience is yelling for an encore and the dude is yelling “NO!” lol
This is pretty much the TL greatest hits, from the golden run of albums from Vagabonds through to Bad Reputation. Notoriously lots of overdubs, but one of the great 'live' albums.
Rock heaven. If I had only one wish, it's to have been playing guitar on stage with Robbo and Scott for the Cowboy Song - I would die happy. I love live albums and this is up there with Mott The Hoople.
This album is an absolute banger. I'd only really listened to Jailbreak before, but I'm definitely checking out more Thin Lizzy albums now. So many big, big tunes in here. Massacre is fucking great! Jailbreak is a tune! Emerald is utterly badass! All the guitars are awesome. The squealing guitar solos are SO my jam. Phil Lynott's vocals are iconic. Do I want it to lose a star for not being fully live...? No, I enjoyed it way too much for that. A great discovery, this.
5/5. What a fun and energetic live album. Never a huge fan of thin lizzy but this just covers all the bases for a live album and is just greatest hits but better.
12/1 Damn good live Rock album. Didn't even see that the boys were back in town on this. Standout Tracks: Emerald, Southbound, Dancing in the Moonlight, Still in Love with You, The Boys Are Back in Town, Sha-La-La, The Rocker
Didn't realize I knew so many Thin Lizzy songs already! Good classic rock
a good rockin time, first listen to any thin lizzy which is weird considering how i grew up on this kinda music but i dig it, lean more toward the heavier stuff but the blues rock numbers are nice too. good energy and really good mixing
Erittäin asiallista jytärokkijytäilyä. Ensiluokkaista hiihtolenkkimusaa. Useampiakin tuttuja biisejä joita en välttämättä olisi osannut yhdistää Thin Lizzyyn. Selvästi aukkoja tämän genren tuntemuksessa! Ehkä tähän mennessä tämän projektin suurin positiivinen yllätys ennakkoluuloihin verrattuna.
Such an awesome live album. The energy was absolutely incredible and the pure rock atmosphere was something to imagine when listening away. Sweet sweet sweet guitar riffs and some awesome rocking ballads. Would highly recommend.
I’ve never really listened to much Thin Lizzy, but this seems like the kind of concert I could have gone to and had a good time regardless of that fact. Pretty standard 80s rock, but still fun. I’m going to exclude “Jailbreak” and “The Boys Are Back In Town” from below and focus more on the songs I didn’t know. Favorite Tracks: “Emerald,” “Massacre,” and “Baby Drives Me Crazy”
Tons of fun and energy. Classic glam rock sound, Irish. Amazing guitar. Surprisingly good quality for a live album.
very good music with very catchy lyrics and amazing guitar. all recorded live music though so not the best for headphones
La guitarra es brutal, quizas fue mi primer album en vivo que he escuchado completo muero de envidia por las personas que la presenciaron.
Vaikka en livelevyistä yleensä pidä, oli tämä kyllä kovaa kamaa. Lizzyltä joitain kappaleita aikaisemmin kuunnellut ja olihan niitä kovia vielä lisääkin. Yhtyettä pitänee ottaa lisää kuunteluun.
Eipä tähänkään oikein ajan hammas ole purrut. Eniten häiritsi se, että tämä on jopa hyvin kliininen livelevyksi. Sen verran wikipedioin, että levy oli koostettu useamman keikan tallenteista. Lisäksi levyä varten oli jonkin verran äänitetty osuuksia päälle studiossa, mutta siitä miten paljon, oli erilaisia näkemyksiä. Vähän taas helppo nelonen tällaiselle very best of the best tallenteelle. Hyvällä mielellä nelonen taas siksi, että The Boys Are Back tuo aina mieleen Vintiöiden sketsit.
Loved this group’s music... high school tunes rocked.....You’re always hear the songs when we went to Friday night and Saturday night parties
Thin Lizzy me parece un grupo con una clase inusual en el hard rock. Están a años de distancia de sus coetáneos. Este directo sigue sonando tan nostálgico y reconfortante como la primera vez que lo escuché. Southbound, temazo.
Such a fun album. Great performance, too. Still In Love With You is a brilliant song and the drum solo on Sha-La-La is fantastic.
Quite a good album. I don’t normally enjoy live albums but this one went over really well. They definitely have a lot of great hits and a good presence. I’ve enjoyed a lot of their songs in the past and could see myself enjoying more.