Thin Lizzy - Blackmail

[jmoney31705]

the bass in this version sounds best, its the most funky of the three versions, cant imagine why phil would want to pass it on to jimmy bain

[UliJones]

I've just found an old interview with Brian Robertson from 1979 in Record Mirror. He states that Phil Lynott wasn't happy with his own bass playing on this track and he had Jimmy Bain record instead.

[LONELION17]

Both versions are unique. Robbo sings great with a lot of attitude on the Horses cut.

[UliJones]

The mystery thickens with this song! There's an earlier version that appeared in 1977 on Steve Ellis' cassette only album The Last Angry Man. Robbo's on it and the credit goes to 'Robertson'.

[blacksabfan]

@UliJones

I never knew that. I'll have to see if I can track that down.

[UliJones]

@blacksabfan The album was rereleased on CD back in 2001 but has now been deleated.

[SabuPtolemy]

@UliJones Whoa, that's a trip. 3 versions of this song. And now I wonder how many 'Black Rose' songs were actually demoed while Robbo was still in the band in early '78.

[UliJones]

@SabuPtolemy I've heard interviews with Robbo where he has stated that Lizzy were working on Black Rose songs in early '78. Here's a quote: ""songs like 'S&M', 'Waiting for an Alibi', 'Black Rose' and 'A Night In The Life of a Blues Singer'". He goes on to say that they played Alibi and S&M live too.

[blacksabfan]

@UliJones

That's true. There's at least two recordings with Robertson when he was still in Lizzy playing S&M and Alibi live.

[UliJones]

@blacksabfan Wow! I've got to find those.

[blacksabfan]

@UliJones

"ThinLizzyFanpage" posted S&M from one of the two shows. Neither show is very good quality. I have both in my collection. The dates are Newcastle 20 Jun 1978 and Wembley, London 22 Jun 1978. These are also the last two recordings to feature Brian Robertson before he left Lizzy.

[UliJones]

@blacksabfan Thanks for the info! And thank you for your channel. I discovered it about a year back and have been blown away by your Lizzy stuff.

[renegadefm]

I'd like to know all these people that said these songs wern't good enough to make it on the albums, they want their ears and heads testing !!

[3858czaicka]

moi aussi

[Duojett]

Sounds to me like the end solo is Roberstson. The phrasing and the tone sound alot like Robbo, so would not be surprised if this was from one of the last studio album sessions Brian was on. Maybe the 'Bad Reputation' sessions which he did come in on in the end.

[raggballe]

phil is still rocking n bopping....

[THINLIZZYFANno1]

i wish i could write songs like this. what a bassline. what lyrics. what a solo. what a song!!

[lonegroover]

Wow, I had no idea this old Wild Horses tune was originally a Lizzy song.

[SabuPtolemy]

Can you riddle me one thing: If Phil did write this tune - how come it is solely credited to Bain/Robertson on the first Wild Horses album?

Could it have been miscredited by accident? 'Blackmail' is the 3rd song on side 1, followed by 'Flyaway' which is credited to Bain/Lynott. Maybe whoever put together the credits for the album fucked up?

[blacksabfan]

According to Peter Neilsen's Thin Lizzy Guide, this song is credited solely to Lynott and the Black Rose lineup is playing on it. His information is correct 99% of the time, but I do know of at least 1 mistake on his site, so it's possible that he messed up. I find it hard to believe that Lynott wrote this song on his own and just gave it to Bain/Robertson to play, however I find it hard to believe that Lynott would sing a demo of a song that he had no hand in writing either.

[blacksabfan]

I personally think it's either a Lynott/Bain composition, or a Lynott/Robertson composition. Could be a mistake or it could be intentional...perhaps Lynott, for some reason or another, couldn't be credited on that particular song. I don't exactly know.

[SabuPtolemy]

I too think it's a co-write between Phil and either Jimmy or Robbo, most likely Bain (we know they hung out quite a bit ca. 'Black Rose'). I don't think Phil gave the song to Wild Horses and told Jimmy and Robbo to take credit for it because he couldn't be credited (since he does have a co-write on the album as does Scott Gorham). And I doubt Phil could/would sneak 'Blackmail' past his publisher - they must have been aware of the demo version he cut with Lizzy. The riddle continues....;-)

[AspiringSanta]

Ahaha love it and have ever since I first found it!

[GizzleWithTheSizzle]

downloaded this for my mp3 some time ago.. awesome song

[DAretroGUY]

that what bass should sound like...

[DAretroGUY]

cheers man this

[DAretroGUY]

this stuff is chickens teeth

[SabuPtolemy]

Unbelievable to hear Lizzy do this! I'm a big Wild Horses fan but I had NO idea 'Blackmail' goes back to '78 was in fact a TL track. I figured it was something Phil whipped up hanging out with Jimmy Bain a bit later on.

[LoveStruckTeen]

brian robertsons wild horses did this on there first album

[andiibinz]

wow never heard this...shame on me...XDD

[vuduchld61958]

Dude, I can't get this tune out of my head...U are an ANGEL!!!

[vuduchld61958]

Dude I hate U!! I can't get any work done because of these fantastic Lizzy jams you're posting!!! LOL Keep them coming!!!

[gruenerApfel666]

fuckin' awesome :))

[PhilLynott1949]

love this song, cool vid too thanks. R I P Phil.xxx