Reviews by Phil Rozier for MPM
The Dolby Atmos Studios are a lovely set up, with the main entrance door right opposite Soho Square. Founded some years ago, and more often used for small cinema screenings, it has become a venue of choice for intimate album play throughs. But could I find the front door? Course I couldn’t.
So arriving a touch after the 6pm invite time, I was all a fluster when trying to use more modern tech to sign in. But, with the help of the useful staff, I was kitted out with my ID sticker and welcomed through the double doors into the main lounge area. The room was already beginning to fill, with numerous invitees from various backgrounds. Being relatively new to the fortunate position of being in the room in the first place, I was keen to meet new industry colleagues and listen to what people have to say. As you’d expect, there’s an air of anticipation growing in the room as the attendee volume grows.
What was a real head turner, was the multiple giant TV screens mounted on the walls, with the brand new Thin Lizzy artwork fired into the room using the latest Hi Def sharp screens. The piercing blue (the colour of Ireland I was latterly informed), and Phil’s eyes staring you down, it was an instant talking point to bring together the multiple industry influencers.
The bar was open, and another red wine down, I was talking to numerous PR experts about the latest digital and print work that’s being explored for numerous projects. Fascinated to learn how the industry is still in many ways, quite old fashioned. A genuine mix of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ methods, combined with modern digital social media content. The passion and dedication of the people who still support this great industry and connective form of entertainment art, is wonderful to be around. As a dedicated rock music fan myself, it’s a real pleasure to meet the people that really make the wheels turn and play an integral part of music’s ongoing success.
Being distracted by the mountains of pizza that had just been delivered, and wishing to try to balance out the nervousness and slightly light headedness created by the vin rouge on an empty stomach, I sneak in a slice of Margarita. And another. Ok, it was 3 slices, don’t tell anyone! Rapidly trying to finish the last bit of sourdough crust, it is announced that us privileged guests can take our seats in the main auditorium.
It must be a sign of being a grown up, but instead of rushing to take the seats at the back, I opted for mid centre, where apparently the sound projection into my ears will be the best dynamically. Without really any delay, and after a few sentences of introduction by the host, the lights go out and here… we… go…
Opening with ‘Mama Nature Said’, instantly I wake up to ‘OK, I get what this is now’. It was a bit of sensory overload. Where to look, what to think, what to hear. Phil’s vocals, as clear in my head as if he was in the room with us. Absolutely the poet, the influencer and storey teller, and clearly way ahead of his time, the lyrics around what is now referred to as climate change could have be penned that very evening.
A full album review is to follow, so I won’t break down a track by track approach to this event summary, but needless to say, you’re in for quite a rare experience. From archived vocals, and drums, with recently added acoustic guitar overlays, the songs are uniquely positioned to make you think differently. It isn’t ‘classic’ Thin Lizzy that perhaps the rock genre would expect. Where is ‘Cold Sweat’? Forget it, don’t try to find it. This is an entirely different experience. A technical marvel. A demonstration of passion. A masterful demonstration of 50 years in the making. Despite all the praise I could give it, to thank and promote the tireless effort from multiple creators, what is the clearest to me, is this is 3 young kids work, from the late 70’s. Young musicians, wanting to demonstrate their joy of story telling. Representative of the time, the emotion, the culture and feeling, this new work from Thin Lizzy deserves to be heard.
A relatively punchy 9 tracks, each punctuated with a round of applause from the listeners, we were all also entertained with the most amazing and beautiful visuals along the way. Unexpected perhaps, but welcomed, the cinema screen was also alight during the playback. Each track accompanied by its own bespoke art work, rolling lyrics and historical imagery and animations. I found myself captivated and not able to turn away from the ongoing mesmerising graphics. I actually think the graphics enhanced the listening experience, similar to that of a Hollywood film, where the visuals, and soundtrack are stitched together to make a holistic sensory engagement.
Completed with a rapturous applause, the lights go up and a brief Q&A session begins. With the producer and artwork designer taking the main questions, it was fascinating to learn about the process. Said with confidence, and confirming that no AI was used in the making of this album, producer Richard Whittaker explained the process of working with the family, band estate members, record label etc to ensure that everyone involved gave it their approval. What is probably quite a a bold move, pressurised perhaps more by fans than by close Thin Lizzy camp members, the album needs to be appreciated for what it has done, not what you expect it might have been.
Art Studio Panchal also received a great deal of credit from the audience, as without their expertise, the play through would have I feel, had somewhat less of an impact. From the wall art in the lounge, album cover, to animated visuals throughout the session, they did an amazing job of enhancing the listening experience. Less of an impact on the night, but an interesting fact none the less – the actual chosen album cover, was it’s 47th version! So there are 46 other album covers in various states of presentation, along with, wait for it, no less than 14 versions of just Phil Lynott’s eyes! There’s some facts you wouldn’t get from reading the album sleeve!
As usual, I think I’ve outstayed my welcome by taking too much of your reading time, so I’ll wrap up.
Thin Lizzy Acoustic Sessions. Is just that. It’s beautifully mastered acoustic tracks, modernised by 50 years of experience from Eric Bell, Richard Whittaker and rock fans alike, that needed this work to be released.
Photography by Jon Theobald for MPM
