Thin Lizzy's debut album is to receive a special reissue to mark its 55th anniversary.
The self titled debut album, which was first released by Phil Lynott and co in 1971, will be available across various formats, including digital, 3CD/1Blu-Ray, 4LP, 2LP green vinyl with U.S. artwork. The album will also be available via 2LP blue vinyl with U.K. artwork but only in the official Thin Lizzy shop.
The Thin Lizzy Deluxe Edition, will contain that 3CD/1Blu-Ray which features the album's original mix, as well as the new Richard Whitaker stereo mix, as well as bonus material such as the debut single, 'The Farmer', radio sessions with Stuart Henry and John Peel, the New Day EP, outtakes and alternate versions, which are presented in a 10” x 10” box set with a 40-page hardcover book featuring liner notes by Mojo’s Mark Blake.
The 4LP edition will include the original album, as well as bonus rarities, and Whitaker's stereo mix of New Day. The digital reissue will also present the music of Dolby Atmos for the first time.
Thin Lizzy's self titled debut album featured the original line up of the late Phil Lynott, Eric Bell and Brian Downey, as they embarked on their music journey for the first time. It was recorded in London and released via Decca Records in 1971, produced by Scott English and Nick Tauber.
It included breakthrough hits like “Whiskey In The Jar”, “The Boys Are Back in Town,” “Jailbreak,” and “Waiting For An Alibi".
In the words of drummer, Brian Downey, "It all started here".
In May 2024, Thin Lizzy shared their first ever music video for 'Whiskey In The Jar'.
The video, which you can check out below, was animated by graphic designer and motion designer Harry French, as well as being produced by Dave Hudson and Forward Slash Studios.
Speaking about the song, guitarist Eric Bell described recording it as the "biggest challenge" of his life.
Anyway, we recorded it – that was the biggest challenge of my life – I didn’t know how to approach it as it was an Irish ballad. We were used to doing rock and blues, not Irish ballads. Myself and Philip played acoustic guitars on it and after that was finished they all looked at me and said, ‘What are you going to do?’, he said.
"I tried a few things that were really corny, so I took a cassette home and worked on it and came up with the solo. We recorded it and released it as a double A-side, so the DJs got the choice of which side to play. It had been out for about two months and we never heard anything about it. We were saying, ‘We told you it was a load of b*******’.
