Whiskey in the Jar

Song was on a season of a show "Life on Mars" but as with albums only the one song worth listening to.

"Whiskey In The Jar" is a traditional Irish folks song that's been recorded since the early 1950's, involving a Highwayman who's been betrayed by his lover, and his passion for nothing but the courage he takes from whiskey in the jar, and his ever embolden road crimes. For me, it's a traditional song from Vietnam, and a kid who used to sit on an empty 50 gallon oil drum, fingering the strings for anyone willing to listen, with a bottle of rye at his feet. I never knew his last name, but I used to stand at the door of my hootch and listen, and from time to time, wandering over and asking him to "Please, play Whiskey." I do remember the night I realized he hadn't played in several days, I've no idea what became of that young jungle highwayman, I can only hope that he found his way home, and found some peace, because the passion he laid out as he sang was numbing.Back in 1972, on the other side of the world, I'd no idea that Thin Lizzy had released this song as a 45 rpm until I stumbled upon it at a Shake & Bake ... that's where someone's rotating home, or worse, and their superfluous personal items, those which wouldn't be sent back to the world, were traded among those of us still in the mix, and I scooped it up like a diamond from heaven. For a couple of weeks, pops and all, I spun that single on my Tele-Tone player at the appointed hour, as if by sheer will I could conjure that beautiful boy back into being ... it was just one of many things I did to maintain a connection, to keep from slipping off the planet."Whiskey In The Jar" is a haunting song, one filled with dynamic overlays, tired graveled vocals, attention to being, structured for emotional effect, and achieving all of them ... bringing me to tears, dropping me to my knees, watching half forgotten ghosts dance in the flames, wondering why my youth seems so far behind, and longing to see that young man reach out and take my hand once more, ripping memories from my heart, and causing me to stutter for an explanation of something I'll never be able to express.I'm just glad I still have this 45, pops and all, to take me exactly where I need to go on those star-filled moonless nights, when the other side of the world reaches out, and holds me in a warm hand.Review by Jenell Kesler

Before Jailbreak, Thin Lizzy had already recorded a few albums, but with the exception of that old Irish folk tune "Whiskey In The Jar" (This is where Metallica got the idea for their version)they had found little chart success. This collection shows some of their early promise, and also the roughness that seemed to prevent them from achieving success. With tunes like "The Rocker," "Mama Nature Said," and "Little Darling," you hear the band's hard rock roots, but there are just as many misses, like "Sara," and the unending "Shades of a Blue Orphanage" which is just as pretentious as its title sounds. Fans of the band, who have had difficulty finding the early material, might find this a needed addition to their collection.

This a nice collection of some of the older tunes. Pre Jailbreak really. I dig it, but I wouldn't recommend it for the average moron. You know them right? "This doesn't sound like Jailbreak!" F off people. Lizzy rules.

the songs themselves are good, OK, but the arrangement and the orchastration is not satisfactory. you hear "thin" sounds from the instruments. you cannot feel a depth in the album..

This captures some of LIZZY'S best materiel from their first three albums from Decca also some b sides and EP tracks.Great Stuff ! No other band sounded like them.

Yes CD had a great sound to it.

Some great early Lizzy cuts

Early Thin Lizzy a joy to listen to. Liked it.

Early Thin Lizzy with a few great tracks.