One thought that really stuck with me throughout this box set was that it documents a great band, at the absolute height of their powers. However, manager Chris O'Donnell said the album was 75% live, with overdubs restricted to backing vocals and a few guitar solos to "clean the sound up". Been loyal Lizzy fan since 1977 when I bought Jailbreak, and saw them many, many times live after that.

sees the 45th anniversary of what is widely regarded as one of the greatest live albums of all time, Thin Lizzy's double platinum-selling Live And Dangerous, which was recorded in London and Philadelphia in 1977 during the Johnny the Fox and Bad Reputation tours.The package is rounded off with sleeve notes by mojo’s Mark Blake and has a booklet packed with rare photos and memorabilia. For three nights, Visconti would attempt to capture the juggernaut live show that Lynott’s illness had derailed in the US. There is some overlap of tracks between the two albums, though Still Dangerous is completely live with no overdubs. Ok there's some banter between front man Phil Lynott and the audience, but who can tire of Lynott's "little more Irish" line; but what banter and audience noise there is is largely kept to a minimum and doesn't detract from the songs or the playing. By the mid-1970s, Thin Lizzy had stabilised around its founding members – singer and bassist Phil Lynott and drummer Brian Downey – and guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson.

The box set is a large format (12″ x 12″) package and includes sleeve notes with new interviews by Mark Blake and a booklet packed with rare photos and memorabilia. To have all that talent coming at you through the monitors was hard to fully appreciate at the time. It celebrates not only the anniversary of one of the greatest albums of all time, but also one of the greatest live bands ever, at the top of their game. Rejoice too in the spontaneous variations between performances while noting (despite what the original gatefold might have implied) that most come from the second night in Philadelphia (where Southbound was recorded at sound-check). The front cover, featuring Lynott in the foreground, was originally supposed to be the back cover as the group wanted equal coverage of all members.Rock doesn’t need saving in 2024, but it’s nice to be reminded just how thrilling and relatable three chords and the truth can still be.