Thin Lizzy’s breakthrough album, 1973’s Vagabonds Of The Western World, is being reissued for its 50th anniversary via multi-disc vinyl and CD box sets, with the latter including a blu-ray audio with a Dolby Atmos Mix of the album (a first for Lizzy!).
The band’s third studio album features the single ‘The Rocker’, although despite the top 10 success of the 1972’s ‘Whiskey in the Jar’, they left it off Vagabonds, although that hasn’t stopped the song being added to the various reissues over the years. That song was the last Lizzy release to feature original guitarist Eric Bell. After an unsuccessful New Year’s Eve show in Belfast, Bell was no longer in the band, which paved the way for Lynott’s idea about having twin lead guitarists, which led to the recruitment of American Scott Gorham and 18-year-old Glaswegian Brian Robertson.
Vagabonds was also the first album to feature artwork by Jim Fitzpatrick, who would go on to work with the band on classic albums such as Nightlife, Jailbreak, Johnny The Fox, Black Rose and Chinatown.
For the 50th anniversary reissue a 3CD+blu-ray box set delivers bonus tracks, rare radio sessions, live performances and 10 demos and outtakes. The blu-ray offers Vagabonds of the Western World mixed in Dolby Atmos (by Richard Whittaker) along with A-sides and B-sides from singles also in Dolby Atmos (including both single edit and the full length versions of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’). Sleeve notes come courtesy of Mark Blake.
A 2LP edition pressed on purple vinyl will be available which features B-sides and alternates on the second record, alongside a 4LP vinyl box which offers the BBC Sessions and In Concert performances on the three extra LPs. The box also comes with a large format hardcover book.
