Simon Rushworth
The most prolific reissuers on the planet are trawling their substantial back catalogue again next month in time to catch the Christmas rush.
And this time Thin Lizzy fans can expect a raft of familiar and previously unreleased material culled from the vast BBC archives.
At The BBC will be available as a standard double disc Best Of collection.Â
But if that’s not enough – and where Lizzy are concerned it never is – there’s a six-disc version with a DVD and what sounds like an extremely collectible and strictly limited five-vinyl compilation.
Lizzy’s unbelievable career has largely been built upon their unassailable reputation as one of the world’s greatest live acts and it is that prowess and power that underlies this collection.
This release is collated from all of the BBC-owned Lizzy recordings that still exist in the archive and charts the inexorable rise of the band: from the first steps as a three piece on the Decca label, to the glory days as one of the greatest live acts of all time.
The BBC gave the band a platform and support at crucial stages in their career and thus Thin Lizzy Live At The BBC offers fans an alternative Greatest Hits collection showcasing the band in their most raw form.
The archive represents a great set of previously unreleased recordings in the Lizzy catalogue. The collection has been brought together by trawling the BBC archives but also by inviting contributions from fans.
The BBC had a habit of wiping tapes after they were broadcast which has meant that some of the Corporation’s output has been lost forever. But thanks to fans recording broadcasts at home a couple of gems have been reclaimed here for this set.
This collection brings together a raft of sessions and live recordings from throughout the band’s career. Included also is a DVD of the band’s sought after appearances on Top Of The Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test as well as concerts from throughout the band’s career. This is a first for the band as these recordings have never been available in one place before. The various versions include comprehensive notes by Classic Rock’s Malcolm Dome who tells the story of the band’s history at the BBC.
Fully supported and endorsed by the band – the current and original line ups – Thin Lizzy Live At The BBC is a triumphant collection of the defining moments of a truly seminal British rock act, as witnessed, broadcast and archived by the voice of the nation, the BBC.
The new album is released on November 7 and Lizzy are back on the road in January, playing the following UK dates:
01/19/2012                 Glasgow                                  Barrowlands
01/21/2012                 Newcastle                                  City Hall
01/23/2012                 Leicester                                  De Montfort Hall
01/24/2012                 York                                  Barbican
01/25/2012                 Cambridge                 Corn Exchange
01/27/2012                 Wolverhampton                 Civic Hall
01/28/2012                 Manchester                 02 Apollo
01/29/2012                 Sheffield                                  City Hall
01/31/2012                 Plymouth                                  Pavilions
02/01/2012                 Cardiff                                  St. David’s Hall
02/03/2012                 Brighton                                  Dome
02/04/2012                 London                                  HMV Hammersmith Apollo