Given the popularity of the THIN LIZZY reissue programme, it was only a matter of time before the band mastermind’s solo material would receive a similar deluxe treatment, and indeed, October 30th will see the appearance of Phil Lynott‘s “The Story Of My Life” box set. Comprising eight CDs and including both of the albums credited to him, rather than any of his ensembles, it could have been more concise, yet its flaws are greatly outweighed by the inclusion of tracks either recently unearthed or previously available elsewhere in a piecemeal fashion.
Yes, “Solo In Soho” and “The Philip Lynott Album” can fit on a single disc, but they had to be logically separated, if only because there’s an original version of the latter here, titled “Fatalistic Attitude” and considered too gloomy – especially after the pop-oriented former – to be put out without getting rejigged and having a couple of cuts removed. Found on Lynott’s personal acetate, this alternative offering makes its official debut here (and on a standalone LP too), as do some other numbers, such as “Can’t Get Away,” which was laid down with Huey Lewis shortly before Philo’s untimely passing and emerging now among various demos, a few of them by GRAND SLAM – according to guitarist Laurence Archer, illegally as usual. And while an entire CD of mixes should hardly warrant frequent playing, a comp of recordings where the great Irishman served as a guest – as readily accessible as those by Gary Moore and as sought-after as a Sandy Denny tribute by CLANN ÉADAIR – is bound to be spun again and again. A worthy effort.
The Story Of My Life
CD 1 – Solo In Soho:
1. Dear Miss Lonely Hearts
2. King’s Call
3. A Child’s Lullaby
4. Tattoo (Giving It All Up For Love)
5. Solo In Soho
6. Girls
7. Yellow Pearl
8. Ode To A Black Man
9. Jamaican Rum
10. Talk In ’79
CD 2 – Fatalistic Attitude (Alternate Album):
1. Somebody Else’s Dream
2. Little Bit Of Water
3. Gino
4. Don’t Talk About Me Baby
5. Hate
6. Fatalistic Attitude
7. The Man’s A Fool
8. Ode To Liberty (The Protest Song)
9. Cathleen
10. Growing Up
11. Old Town
CD 3 – The Philip Lynott Album:
1. Fatalistic Attitude
2. The Man’s A Fool
3. Old Town
4. Cathleen
5. Growing Up
6. Together
7. Little Bit Of Water
8. Ode To Liberty (The Protest Song)
9. Gino
10. Don’t Talk About Me Baby
CD 4 – Non-album Mixes, B-sides & Rarities:
1. Yellow Pearl (7″ remix edit)
2. Yellow Pearl (12″ remix)
3. Yellow Pearl (7″ remix 2)
4. Yellow Pearl (TOTP Theme)
5. Together (7″ remix edit)
6. Together (12″ dance mix)
7. Somebody Else’s Dream
8. Beat Of The Drum
9. The Lady Loves To Dance (7″ version)
10. The Lady Loves To Dance (12″ version)
11. Nineteen (7″ mix)
12. Nineteen (extended version)
13. Nineteen (dub mix)
14. Nineteen (extended dub mix)
CD 5 – Duets & Guest Appearances:
1. Parisienne Walkways (Gary Moore)
2. Spanish Guitar (Gary Moore)
3. Don’t Believe A Word (Gary Moore)
4. Tennessee Stud (Terry Woods)
5. Please Don’t Leave Me (John Sykes, original version)
6. A Tribute To Sandy Denny (CLANN ÉADAIR)
7. Out In The Fields (Gary Moore)
8. Military Man (Gary Moore)
9. Still In Love With You (Gary Moore)
10. Stop Messin’ Around (Gary Moore – The Ulster Hall, Belfast – December 18th, 1984)
11. Parisienne Walkways (Gary Moore – The Ulster Hall, Belfast – December 18th, 1984)
12. Out In The Fields (Gary Moore – The Manchester Apollo – September 23rd, 1985)
CD 6 – Demos 1:
1. Reggae 2 (demo)
2. Tattoo (rough mix)
3. Ode To A Black Man (different mix with vocals)
4. Jamaican Rum (rough mix)
5. Something’s Going On (demo)
6. Parisienne Walkways (demo)
7. Bad Is Bad (demo)
8. The Story Of My Life (demo)
9. Catholic Charm (monitor mix)
10. Dirty Old Town (monitor mix)
11. Sweet Samantha (demo)
12. The Man’s A Fool (monitor mix)
13. Don’t Talk About Me Baby (monitor mix)
14. For Always (demo)
15. Mystery Aka I Hear You Call (with vocal / rough mix)
The Story Of My Life
CD 7 – Demos 2:
1. Together (Paul Brady version)
2. Together (new bass and synths)
3. Beat Of The Drum (extended)
4. Someone’s Out To Get Ya (demo)
5. I’ve Heard Lately (demo)
6. Blue Parris (demo)
7. I Don’t Need This (GRAND SLAM demo)
8. Crazy (GRAND SLAM demo)
9. Hot And Spicy (GRAND SLAM demo)
10. Dedication (GRAND SLAM demo)
11. Harlem (GRAND SLAM demo)
12. Can’t Get Away (demo)
13. I’m Still Alive (demo)
14. One Wish (demo)
CD 8 – Solo Band Rehearsals 1982:
1. Yellow Pearl
2. Together
3. Kings Call
4. The Man’s A Fool (version 1)
5. Dear Miss Lonely Hearts
6. Tattoo
7. Girls
8. Solo In Soho
9. Old Town
10. Growing Up
11. The Man’s A Fool (version 2)
12. Fatalistic Attitude
