Shades Of A Blue Orphanage - THIN LIZZY***

The Rise & Dear Demise Of The Funky Nomadic Tribes/Buffalo Gal/I Don't Want To Forget How To Jive/ Sarah/Brought Down/Baby Face/Chatting Today/Call The Police/Shades Of A Blue Orphanage

Shades Of A Blue Orphanage was very similar in content to Thin Lizzy’s debut. The group explore a mish-mash of musical styles, none of them particularly distinctive and a long way from their later hard rock sound.

“They are still searching for themselves. The sound of Thin Lizzy has not settled yet. It is about to and when it does, hold on. One of the best hard rock bands of the seventies is about to emerge, but just not yet.”

“Perhaps slightly too diverse, prog flavoured hard rock, mixed with some boring slow cuts. Overall, slightly off the pace of their debut.”

“Another largely forgotten Lizzy release, Shades Of A Blue Orphanage is not among the band's highlights, mostly due to the fact that it's just more of the same as the first album. It certainly doesn't have the oomph of their later works, merely potential for what is to come, and a healthy dose of Celtic spirit.”

“This album doesn't really improve upon the promise of the debut. Again we have a mish-mash of musical styles, the band perhaps not really seeing how they would sound in the future. Nice enough, but far from essential.”

“A very average release from Thin Lizzy, this one is a bit repetitive and uninspired. While it's not bad, they don't do a lot on here that demands repeated listens.”

“Shades Of A Blue Orphanage is an extension of their first album; storytelling, poetic lyrics, musical experimentation with blues, rock, folk and prog elements. There is no real formula to any of it.”

“Thin Lizzy were maturing. Shades Of A Blue Orphanage, their second album, occasionally has a harder edge than their impressive debut, but is still miles away from the hard rock sound that would define them in later years. It's a pleasant album, although one that I don't feel the need to play very often.”

“There is no question that this release is not as fast paced or anywhere near as rocky as later albums and indeed may not appeal to some Lizzy fans. However I believe that it catches a slice of Lizzy's sentimental side and I love it, a much underestimated treasure.”