Customer Reviews
Live or not - it doesn't matter - it's Lizzy at their peak. - By: Mr. A. J. KNEALE, 24 Dec 2007 
It really doesn't matter to me whether this album is only 1% live; the fact is that Visconti finally managed to capture the energy of Thin Lizzy on tape. This is by far the best Lizzy album, & knocks every studio effort into a cocked hat. Much as I like albums like "Johnny The Fox", if you play this one afterwards, you will know what I mean - there are no better versions of these songs anywhere else. Yes, the original vinyl double LP was lovingly packaged with great photos & a "side" dedicated to each member of the band, & the main shame is that nobody has seen fit to remaster Live And Dangerous & give it the packaging it truly deserves (in the same way that Skynyrd's "One From The Road" has). That said, I don't have any real problems with the sound - this is a 30-year-old album; just put it on & play it loud. Each member of the band is on fire - the twin Les Pauls of Gorham & Robbo are growling through their Marshall stacks, Downey is sublime, & Lynott's stage presence just oozes from the speakers. Lizzy at their peak - just buy it.
Brilliant, full of ideas - By: Matthew Leitch, 10 Nov 2007 Obviously, & as most other reviewers have already written, a fantastic album. It's one of my favourites. I'm glad they fixed it technically because usually live albums are annoyingly poorin that area.
One of the reasons I like this album so much is that the songs are full of song writing ideas that you want to pick up & use again. They seem to have lots of ways to make a track build momentum. Just when you think they can't raise the energy level any more, they do. Maybe that part of the songs works even better live.
Among the best-ever live albums - By: D. J. H. Thorn, 03 Aug 2007 While they made a string of great singles, Thin Lizzy's studio albums were of consistently high quality throughout the 1970s, without ever quite reaching the heights of a 'Zep 4' or an 'Argus'. This album, however, eclipsed the live efforts of just about everyone else. Dr Feelgood's 'Stupidity' is the only live album I'd definitely rate higher & even then it's a fairly close thing.
There are two obvious reasons for the success of 'Live And Dangerous.' One is the band's affinity with their audience. Their rock is sometimes dramatic but it always has a good-time feel about it & Phil Lynott has the fans eating out of his hand. It's a big plus when a live album can convey that feeling. The second factor is simply good song selection. The blend of tracks is effective, such as the swagger of 'Dancing In The Moonlight' being followed by the arresting opening of 'Massacre.' In addition, many of the tracks, such as 'Jailbreak' take on a new lifein the live environment. Even the seven-minute ballad, 'Still In Love With You,' is awesome.
Forget the overdub debate. I bought this album on its release & didn't know they'd tinkered with it until it was reported much later. 'Live And Dangerous' keeps you hooked right through & is an essential rock album.
simply the best - By: Stephen Sandford, 11 Jun 2007 There is a lot of discussion about how much of this album is live. The only bits that aren't are a couple of overdubs on backing vocals (never Lizzy's strongpoint) & lead guitar drop-outs. It is 99.99 % per cent live! Its simply not possible to re-record large amounts of material & somehow mix itin to an existing recording - this is because you get 'bleeding' from microphones that are inplace to record certain instruments (eg: drums & vocals). So, if a guitar solo was re-recordedin the studio - you would still have some residue of the original 'live' solo on the track - it cant be erased without erasing other instruments.
Watch the corresponding dvd from the same era - sounds the same doesnt it? Was that re-recorded? Impossible.
All this discussion has diverted attention away from the fact that this is the best live album ever - maybe even the best album fullstop.
Thin Lizzy at their peak were head & shoulders above everyone else, & nobody else could write like them, sound like them, or perform like them.
Thin Lizzy were so much more than a hard rock band, & you dont need to be a rock-fan to love this album.
A rock masterpiece - By: Macca, 11 Apr 2007 I've just been reading a series of articles about this album, & the various rumours over how "live" it was - from what i've read it seems only the drums & crowd noise were left untampered with - but nevertheless this is superb.
Of course if you like Lizzy then you probably already have this. But if you've never listened to them this is a tremendous introduction.
If you buy this for one reason buy it to hear Stillin Love with You - perhaps the most perfect example of a rock ballad you will ever hear.
