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Rating: Who could these fighters be? In my opinion, the fighters are all of us, because every day we have to face the innumerable problems that inevitably arise throughout our lives, which at certain sad moments might seem 'absurd', but nonetheless always remain a precious gift. Perhaps, if one commits wholeheartedly, constructively, and positively in any field, one can achieve a good personal result.
It is impossible to achieve an aim without suffering - è impossibile raggiungere uno scopo senza soffrire. Currently, I am not able to evaluate whether this sentence by the philosopher J G Bennet is correct or incorrect, I can only continue on my path trying to do my best. Obviously, this is my personal interpretation of the title of the Thin Lizzy album released in September 1975 and presented in this review in its remastered version from 1996 by Mercury.
This is the fifth album by Lizzy, always led by the charismatic P Lynott (1949-1986) bassist and singer, half Brazilian, and half Irish. It is certainly not the best work, partly because at times it still seems 'naive' in certain instrumental passages, and partly because, as noted in the booklet, the musicians at that time were still trying to meet each other, to understand what they could or could not achieve both artistically and compositionally. Despite everything, the album remains pleasant and well-played, almost never boring or repetitive, and with a particular sound, thanks also to Lynott's warm and sensual vocal performance. Thirty-eight minutes divided into ten tracks full of energy, also thanks to the presence of the two lead guitars of B Robertson and S Gorham. Even though Lizzy were not the first to present this type of formation, they still managed to develop, especially in later albums, a particular style (string arrangements, and slamming riffola) that will later be adopted by many bands of the '80s, who over time became more famous than Lizzy, but in my opinion, rarely manage to recreate that unmistakable musical charge.
Avoiding the much-maligned track by track, I would still like to highlight at least four tracks. "Rosalie", an excellent version of the song by B Seger, Phil was unsurprisingly a great fan of his. The unforgettable ballad "Wild One" the lyrics refer to: "the historical story of the Wild Geese, Irish soldiers, defeated at home in 1691 by William III who then elected to fight abroad under Louis XIV", powerful and melodic, certainly one of Lizzy's classics. "Fighting my Way Back" and "Spirit Slips Away", the former for its irresistible drive, the latter for its expansive and soothing atmosphere, excellent also the bass contribution by Lynott, often underrated. The booklet is decent, containing some interesting notes on the songs and the group, while, as often happens, there are no song lyrics. The cover, however, is the usual image depicting the group, definitely better those of the three subsequent albums made by J Fitzpatrick. Album rating 3.5 out of 5 (stars).
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Rosalie (03:01)
She's quite the mediator
A smoother operator you will never see
She'll see you later
No one dare disobey her openly
She knows music
I know music too, you see
She got the power
The teen queen, Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
She's got the pleasure
Comes from all the cornerstones of the world
She's so fantastic
She's everybody's favorite little record girl
She knows music
I know music too, you see
She got the power
I got the power, Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
Down on me, Rosalie
Shine on me will you please
From Chattanooga to good old Booga Loosa
You can hear her fine
She makes the choices
Then you'd best be smiling when it's choosing time
She knows music
I know music too, you see
She's got the power
She is a tower, Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
Rosalie
03 Suicide (05:16)
The paper called it suicide
A bullet from a 45
Nobody cared and nobody cried
Don't that make you feel sad
Peter Brent combed his hair, then sent
For the police
Policeman came, took Peter's name
God may he rest in peace
No-one saw the note beside the body
No-one knew the problem but my God
Suicide
The body remains unidentified
Forgotten in a file
Like the letter that was blown aside
Don't that make you want to smile
No-one was really satisfied
About number 81
The autopsy proved Peter lied
But they could never find the gun
Suicide
04 Wild One (04:22)
Wild one won't you please come home
You've been away too long, will you
We need you home, we need you near
Come back wild one will you
How can we live without your love
You know that could kill you
How can we carry on
When you are gone my wild one
So you go your way wild one
I'll try and follow
And if you change your mind
I will be waiting here for you tomorrow
For I would beg for you
I would steal and I would borrow
I'd do anything, anything at all
To end this sorrow
Wild one
The gypsies warned of the danger
You can laugh and joke with friends
But don't you ever talk to strangers
Although their offers may be sweet
And I'd bet and I would wager
Away you'll stray and never come back
To those who love and made you
06 King's Vengeance (04:08)
Down and out in the city
Won't you give a boy a break
Juvenile on trial before committee
Taken all he can take
But the king shall have his vengeance
Especially on the poor
Some say preaching to convert him
Me I'm not too sure
Spring she comes and spring she teases
Brings summer winds and summer breezes
Blow through your hair till autumn leaves us
When autumn leaves us, oh how winter freezes
And the child is still breathing
With the beating of a heart (with the beating of the heart)
Some say we are equal
Some a million miles apart
Oh my god
Oh my god
But the king shall have his vengeance
While the Queen she represents the innocent
And the child so dependent
But the seasons conquer all
Spring she comes and spring she teases
Brings summer winds and summer breezes
Blow through your hair till autumn leaves us
When autumn leaves, oh how winter freezes
But the king shall have his vengeance
Especially on the poor
Some say preaching to converted
Me I'm not so sure
07 Spirit Slips Away (04:43)
When the spirit slips away
There's nothing you can do, there's nothing you can say
May the angels be watching over you
When your spirit slips away
When the darkness starts to fall
You're on your own and your back's against the wall
May the angels bring their flame to you
When your spirit slips away
And when the music that makes you blue
Unfolds its secrets, the mysteries are told to you
May the angels sing rejoice to you
That fateful day when your spirit slips away
08 Silver Dollar (03:30)
I should've known you couldn't take it
You had to make it with another man
You know that's true baby
And I can play that game if you can
It's been a long time since I've come here
To give you what you need
My roots are in Chicago
But I know where I want to plant my seed
I bet a silver dollar you'd love another
And you know that silver dollar, it would make me rich
Girl like you, easy pitch
But I miss you now you're gone
I'm coming home girl just to show you
What's this man's been living for
A tip for you, don't be surprised baby
When I come busting through that door
I bet a silver dollar you'd love another
And even though that silver dollar would make me rich
I want to tell you that there is a hitch
I miss you know you're gone
And all I got left is my old guitar
10 Ballad of a Hard Man (03:22)
I've been mixed up, cut up so sit down and shut up
'Cause I'm a hard man
I was hung up, strung out but I can't take no more junk
Even if you can
It will beat ya cheat ya
Deceit ya, defeat ya
No rocker, bopper, show stealin' teeny bopper
Gonna get a thing from me
No fat, black, back scratchin' pussy cat
Gonna get her claws on me
Well they got a scheme to sell you kids
The silver screens and glossy magazines
Better hold back, good times, strung out, hung up
Strong out, picked on, ripped off, kicked out
Spit on, set up, ripped off, locked up, sent down
Maybe you're as hard as I am
Just blow me away
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