1983-1986:
Thin Lizzy disintegrates. Phil Lynott's solo career is respectable, but he needs the band dynamic.
He forms Grand Slam with Lizzy drummer Brian Downey and recent Lizzy recruit, guitar god, John Sykes. They rehearse, but Downey quits and Sykes leaves to join Whitesnake before any music is recorded. Lynott finds new members, including young hot shit guitarist Laurence Archer. They record demos. Play a bunch of live shows. Phil Lynott dies. Many Grand Slam bootlegs surface.
Present day:
I am scrolling through Instagram and see a post singing the praises for an official 2019 release by Grand Slam. The record features Laurence Archer, and three guys I had never heard of before. It's called "Hit The Ground" and includes reworked versions of those never commercially released Grand Slam demos, a couple of Lynott-associated tracks like the MTV hit "Military Man" with Gary Moore, and a couple of new originals.
One possible answer to "Why didn't I get the memo" could be that I did get the memo, but just wasn't paying attention, because if Phil Lynott is not involved, I don't really care.
But okay, I'll bite.
It's great!
They cover "Nineteen," Lynott's last solo single that was written for a band, but instead turned into a minor somewhat electro-dance hit. The version here sounds more like it was originally conceived.
They cover "Dedication," a fantastic rock anthem co-written by Lynott and Archer for Grand Slam. I've always loved this track. It's classic Lizzy and first appeared on a compilation. That version was a demo with Phil's vocals and a number of new overdubs by original Lizzy members. This is slighty rearranged and it works. All of it works.
But...if you are still with me...and you're a fan of all things Lizzy & Lynott...this little detail might be a good thing or it may be a dealbreaker.
The lead singer, Mike Dyer, sounds a lot like Tom Jones. That is not a criticism. The guy can sing. But it was strange hearing these songs, this music, fronted by...well...Tom Jones. It takes some adjusting, but I got over it quickly. Your mileage may vary.
I really enjoyed this entire record, including the first single and obvious cash-in, "Gone Are The Days," a no holds barred, shameless tribute to the man and the band, that utilizes every Lizzy trick in the book, not to mention guitar riffs and lyrics pulled directly from Lizzy classics. I don't know why I didn't hate it, but I didn't. As a matter of fact, I loved it all so much, I tracked down a vinyl release and grabbed a copy.
8 comments:
Fun stuff! Thanks - I never would have heard of this otherwise.
Also, I think Grand Slam is an awesome band name. There are so many dreadful or boring ones - moe., Better Than Ezra, Staind, Hoobastank, Limp whatever... it's great to see a new band name that grabs me.
Although I have a couple of Grand Slam boots (of questionable quality) I wasn't aware of the Hit the Ground album so many thanks for the heads up & the tracks from that which you posted. Will have to check it out - even if the man himself isn't there. Cheers!
Thanks so much. I love the Tom Jones reference. You are, as usual, spot on.
reminds me of the recent UFO albums - Walk on Water, Mogg/Way - they sound great, it's new (always a plus), but why not just play the classics.
I think the point of the resurrection was to play the Grand Slam originals and Lynott songs associated with Grand Slam. Even when Grand Slam was active in the 80's, few if any Lizzy songs were played live.
Never heard of them before, but they sound good. The vocals don't bother me, but the Handsome Dick Manitoba look is a little off putting......
Two good tunes, very Lizzy sounding. Doesn't Gone Are The Days sound like a reworking of Do Anything You Want To Do, very blatant to me.
FD13NYC--
I said that in the post. The song also pulls lyrics from Cowboy Song and chords from Boys Are Back In Town. It's intentional.
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