2023 sees the 50th anniversary of what is widely regarded as THIN LIZZY‘s breakthrough album “Vagabonds Of The Western World” featuring their first U.K. top ten single “Whiskey In The Jar” and “The Rocker”, which would go on to be one of the band’s signature tunes, so much so that it was the last song they ever performed at their final show in 1983.

To celebrate the album’s golden anniversary, deluxe CD and LP sets featuring rarities, radio sessions, unreleased music, rare photos, extensive sleeve notes by Mark Blake, and memorabilia will be released on November 17. The reissue suite also includes the album remixed in Dolby Atmos, a first for any THIN LIZZY record.

“Vagabonds Of The Western World” was THIN LIZZY‘s third studio album and was initially released on September 21, 1973. It was the first to feature artwork by Jim Fitzpatrick, the creator of the famous red and black portrait of Che Guevara, who would go on to work with the band on classic albums such as “Nightlife”, “Jailbreak”, “Johnny The Fox”, “Black Rose” and “Chinatown”.

The album was the band’s last roll of the dice, as they had been working for two years with limited success. After the band moved to London from Dublin, they played every gig they could to keep themselves afloat. While messing around in their rehearsal studio, Phil Lynott started busking the old Irish folk song “Whiskey In The Jar”, which dates back to the 1700s. Their then manager remarked upon it and insisted that the band recorded, against their gut instincts. The single was released in November 1972 and rose to No. 6 on the U.K. singles chart. However, the song didn’t sit well with the band, and despite its success, they left it off their forthcoming album. Since then, the song, in arrangements influenced by the THIN LIZZY version, has gone on to be covered by artists such as U2, METALLICA, BELLE & SEBASTIAN, THE POGUES, PULP, Bryan Adams, Gary Moore and SIMPLE MINDS.

After a two-year struggle for recognition, THIN LIZZY had finally scored a breakthrough hit. It paved the way for the “Vagabonds Of The Western World” album, but it would be their last with original guitarist Eric Bell. After an unsuccessful New Year’s Eve show in Belfast, Bell was no longer in the band, which paved the way for Lynott‘s idea about having twin lead guitarists. After a short spell with very young Gary Moore filling in, Phil and Brian recruited American Scott Gorham and 18-year-old Glaswegian Brian Robertson, and a new adventure started.

The 50th anniversary of “Vagabonds Of The Western World” is the sound of nascent LIZZY finally finding their feet and starting on their journey to be one of the greatest rock bands of the ’70s and for Philip to be recognized as one of the best songwriters of his generation.

CD1
01. Mama Nature Said
02. The Hero And The Madman
03. Slow Blues
04. The Rocker
05. Vagabond Of The Western World
06. Little Girl In Bloom
07. Gonna Creep Up On You
08. A Song For While I’m Away
09. Whiskey In The Jar (Single A-Side)
10. Black Boys On The Corner (Single B-Side)
11. Randolph’s Tango (Single A-Side)
12. Broken Dreams (Single B-Side)
13. The Rocker – Single A-Side (edit)
14. Here I Go Again – Single B-Side
15. Cruising In The Lizzymobile – Single B- Side (Germany)

CD2
01. Whiskey In The Jar – John Peel Session
02. Suicide – John Peel Session
03. Black Boys On The Corner – John Peel Session
04. 1969 Rock – RTE Radio Eireann Session
05. Suicide – RTE Radio Eireann Session
06. Broken Dreams – RTE Radio Eireann Session
07. Eddie’s Blues/Blue Shadows – RTE Radio Eireann Session
08. Vagabonds of the Western World – John Peel Session
09. Little Girl in Bloom – John Peel Session
10. Gonna Creep Up On You – John Peel Session
11. Randolphs Tango – John Peel Session
12. The Rocker – John Peel Session
13. Slow Blues – John Peel Session
14. Randolphs Tango – Bob Harris Session
15. Little Girl in Bloom – Bob Harris Session
16. The Rocker – Bob Harris Session
17. The Rocker – Radio One In Concert
18. Thing’s Ain’t Working Out Down At The Farm – Radio One In Concert
19. Slow Blues – Radio One In Concert
20. Gonna Creep Up On You – Radio One In Concert
21. Suicide – Radio One In Concert

CD3
01. Gonna Creep Up On You (Take 2) Instrumental
02. Little Girl In Bloom (Take 2) Instrumental breaks down
03. Here I Go Again (Extended Version)
04. The Rocker (Take 1) Instrumental
05. Slow Blues (Take 2) Instrumental
06. Suicide (Take 3) Instrumental
07. Suicide gtr Needles And Pins Jam
08. A Ride In The Lizzy Mobile (Take 2) Instrumental
09. Mama Nature Said – Vox and Organ (Take 6)
10. Whiskey In The Jar – Alternate Mix Extended Version
11. Black Boys On The Corner – Alternate Mix
12. Gonna Creep Up On You (Acetate)
13. Baby’s Been Messin’ (Acetate)
Blu-ray
01. Mama Nature Said
02. The Hero And The Madman
03. Slow Blues
04. The Rocker
05. Vagabond Of The Western World
06. Little Girl In Bloom
07. Gonna Creep Up On You
08. A Song For While I’m Away