Thin Lizzy - Hero & the Madman

Don't be fooled by the latter-day photo of Phil Lynott on the cover of the 2002 Thin Lizzy compilation Hero & The Madman -- the 18-track collection focuses entirely on the group's early days. Best-known as a twin-guitar, heavy metal-esque group (due to their creative and commercial peak during the mid- to late '70s), Lizzy started out as a stripped-down trio during the early '70s. And judging from the original lineup's three recordings -- 1971's self titled release, 1972's Shades Of A Blue Orphanage, and 1973's Vagabonds Of The Western World -- Lizzy originally had more in common with such blues-rock artists as Rory Gallagher and funk-based rockers like Jimi Hendrix, rather than straight-ahead heavy metal. Read More