Before Thin Lizzy became famous for their rock and roll anthem “The Boys Are Back In Town,” they were a three-piece rock and roll outfit from Dublin, Ireland, trying to find their way. On their previous record, Shades of a Blue Orphanage, the band found success with their single, “Whiskey In The Jar,” but with Vagabonds of the Western World, the record failed to chart outside of Scotland.
Vagabonds of the Western World would be the last Thin Lizzy record to feature original guitarist Eric Bell. Two months later, in January of 1973, Bell would leave the band and Gary Moore would be called in to as his replacement for the time being. But on Vagabonds of the Western World, Bell made a lasting impact on one of the band’s most underrated records.
The record starts with “Mama Nature Said.” This four-minute and 52-second rocker has more ties to southern rock and roll than the hard rock that the band is known for. There is a great balance between the three men. Bassist and lead singer Phil Lynott and Nick Tauber are credited as producers and associates on this record. The slide guitar solo on “Mama Nature Said” is one of the best on the record. There’s a sing-along nature to the solo that allows it to get stuck in listeners’ heads over the course of the tune.
Song two, “The Hero And The Madman,” is sung from “the hero’s” perspective. There’s a narrator at the beginning of the song that sets the scene. What makes this tune stand out the most is that the drummer, Brian Downey, is heard in the foreground and his drums sound full and heavy. At one point, at the two-minute and 30-second mark, the narrator interjects in the song and helps carry the story forward. “The Hero And The Madman” is a showcase of excellent and crafty storytelling from the band.
“Slow Blues” is just that – a slower, heavier track. Downey is heard on a massive orchestra percussion to add to the dramatic intro. This song digs into the band’s funk side rather than its hard rock roots. A lot of Vagabonds of the Western World feel more exploratory than meat-and-potatoes rock and roll. Right at the center of the song, Lynott and Downey keep the rhythm down for Bell to solo and noodle around on his guitar.
Song four, “The Rocker,” is the band finally returning to regular rock and roll. After having the band take listeners down unexpected alleyways and corridors, it’s refreshing to hear Thin Lizzy’s hard rock style. From a songwriting perspective, it’s pretty basic and the song focuses more on the band’s unique style to play together and let musicianship do more than vocals. With that being said, it is great to hear the band let loose with more basic rock and roll than the dramatic and complicated tunes that came before.
The album title tune clocks in at song No. 5.” There’s another drum intro that holds steady for a second before the rest of the band kicks and ignites their wall of sound. This song has a nice steady pace, which creates a heavier feel to the tune. Bell and Lynott play together to birth a deep sound which sits opposite Downy, who rides the cymbals.
“Little Girl In Bloom” is the record’s ballad. While it’s not a ballad in technicality, it’s the band’s take on one. Lynott leads the way on bass guitar while the rest of the band follows at a slower walking pace. Bell is also heard on this tune, chiming in on background vocals, which adds more depth or Lynott’s lead. The back half of the record seems to have the group return to more musicianship than vocals. Throughout the record, Thin Lizzy get in touch with their hard rock jam side and take a step away from the traditional hard rock.
Lynott’s chugging bass opens up the start of “Gonna Creep Up On You.” This song, which sits second to last, has a headbang quality to it. What makes this song so great is that throughout the tune, Bell goes off on guitar, shredding and riffing, while Lynott holds the force down on bass and vocals, with Downey following behind and filling in loose pockets of air. In comparison to the other tunes, it’s a quick song and to the point.
The final song, “A Song For While I’m Away,” is a comforting five-minute tune. It’s great when bands title the final song accordingly, it creates a sense of “this song was crafted to be last.” I love that Lynott’s bass is clear in the final mixing of the tune and not drowned out. Lynott is one of the most underrated bass guitarists of all time and this album solidifies it. There’s a noticeably high riff from Lynott that adds to the complex sounds on this song.
Nine additional musicians, including string and oboe players, accompany the band in this farewell tune. It’s a strong statement when bands effectively execute orchestra and string instruments. On this tune, the string and oboes take charge once they come into use rather than following the band. “A Song For While I’m Away” is the perfect closing to the record; it’s one last statement of rock and roll and the fade out brings the record to a natural ending.
Thin Lizzy is one of the most underrated bands of the 1970s. Even though they are mainly known for a handful of songs, their back catalog is worth exploring. Take Vagabonds of the Western World, for example, they experiment with more jams and instrumental breaks instead of the full force rock and roll that appears on Bad Reputation or Jailbreak. For any fans of the band’s popular songs, dive into their other songs.
Rating: 7/10
Tracklist:
1. Mama Nature Said
2. The Hero And The Madman
3. Slow Blues
4. The Rocker
5. Vagabond Of The Western World
6. Little Girl In Bloom
7. Gonna Creep Up On You
8. A Song For While I’m Away
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My love for live music started with my first concert ever, Guns N’ Roses back in 2016. Since then, I’ve been able to capture photos of some amazing artists like Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Ace Frehley, and Post Malone. I am based in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut area. I am always looking for the next concert to attend.