Phil Lynott’s GRAND SLAM – The Collection [4xCD Box Set remastered] *EXCLUSIVE*

Since a couple of weeks we’re featuring here the complete Thin Lizzy discography, but it was also requested Phil Lynott’s own ’80s project GRAND SLAM, a really worthy piece of work.
Housed in a long box digipak, “The Collection” is a four-CD archive release from the former Thin Lizzy mainman and Irish Rock legend containing previously unreleased material and rare recordings, all remastered.
This out of print collectible features an unreleased live concert from 1984 amongst the audio treasures plus unpublished photos / booklet and more.

Grand Slam born from the back-up band Lynott formed during July/August 1983 for a tour of Scandinavia. This line-up featured Magnum keyboard player Mark Stanway, Thin Lizzy members Brian Downey (drums) & John Sykes (lead guitar) plus rhythm guitarist Doish Nagle (ex-The Bogey Boys).
When Thin Lizzy completed its farewell tour in September 1983, Lynott continued working with this configuration as a band project that eventually became known as Grand Slam.
Sykes departed the project following an offer to join Whitesnake and was replaced with ex- Stampede guitarist Laurence Archer, who had previously been approached by Lynott.

Prior to the band’s first shows, Downey left to be replaced by Robbie Brennan. The name Grand Slam was chosen after a plethora of other band names had been considered, including Reactor Factor, Catastrophe, Hell Bent On Havoc, Slam Anthem and Slam, the name of a song Lynott had in mind.
Lynott earned the nickname Sergeant Rock at the rehearsals at the E’EE studios in London, due to his almost overbearing strictness and dedication to the rehearsal drill.

Despite shows being well received by audiences and the band having built up a large cult following, Grand Slam failed to secure a record deal (largely due to Lynott’s reputation as a drug user during his later Thin Lizzy days).
The original Grand Slam played its final show at Walthamstow Standard, London on 7 December 1984 and folded shortly after.

“The Collection” features some awesome material.
Disc 1 is in fact Phil Lynott solo, Live in Sweden 1983. Now this is a killer show. Phil and John Sykes together performing material from Thin Lizzy and Phil’s solo discs. This disc is, of course, much mellower than a Thin Lizzy gig.
Hearing these songs performed live is fantastic. “King’s Call” is a great Thin Lizzy song and one that is rarely heard live.

Disc 2 was recorded Live in Ireland 1984. The recording is taken from from several different shows; Friday March 30th (Galway), Saturday March 31st (Castlebar) and Sunday April 1st (Lifford) 1984. The sound is far from perfect quality, but is also better than a lot of bootlegs.
It’s great to have these pieces of Phil’s musical legacy and I am glad keyboardist Mark Stanway has been able to share them with Phil’s fans.

Disc 3 packs Grand Slam Studio Sessions. The material was recorded in 1984 before Phil’s untimely death and wasn’t officially released until 2002. Again, the songs were compiled by keyboardist Mark Stanway and remastered for this box-set.
Musically, Grand Slam was Phil Lynott trying to update the classic Thin Lizzy guitar-driven sound in light of the growing New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene that Thin Lizzy were a big inspiration for.
The sound here blends lush keyboards with clean guitars and puts an emphasis on melody and melodic rock hooks.
A song like “Sisters of Mercy” would fall outside the Thin Lizzy sound for sure, even with the wicked guitar solo and the nod to “Emerald” at around the one and a half minute mark. The same holds true for “Harlem” with it’s electronic drums so 1984.
That’s not to say that all the songs are outside the heavier Lizzy sound. “Nineteen” could have been a Thin Lizzy song with it’s vicious guitars and upbeat tempo. “Military Man” was later reworked and became a hit for guitarist Gary Moore in ’85. Both of these songs are included as part of this collection in their original form.
“Crime Rate” is a bluesy number with thumping bass and some nice piano work by Stanway. Of course “Whiter Shade of Pale/Like A Rolling Stone” is a melding of the two classic songs.

Disc 4 is a previously unreleased live concert from 1984, one of last performances of Phil’s Grand Slam. The sound quality is poor but the recording is worth to listen and collectors material for all Lizzy / Phil Lynott fans.

“The Collection” is a fantastic collection of some of Phil’s post Thin Lizzy songs. Any Phil Lynott or Thin Lizzy fan would do themselves well to pick up this out of print box-set, at least used. Packaging is excellent.
Highly Recommended

Disc 1: Live in Sweden 1983 (feat. John Sykes)
01. Yellow Pearl (4:38)
02. Old Town (4:19)
03. Sarah (3:32)
04. A Night in the Life of a Blues Singer (6:53)
05. Look in These Eyes (7:32)
06. Parisienne Walkways (6:19)
07. Solo in Soho (5:56)
08. King’s Call (5:31)
09. Baby Drives Me Crazy (7:31)
10. The Boys are Back in Town (5:52)
11. Still in Love with You (9:45)

Phil Lynott: Bass guitar, lead vocals
John Sykes: Guitar, backing vocals
Brian Downey: Drums
Mark Stanway – Keyboards
Donal “Doish” Nagle: Guitar

Disc 2: Live in Ireland 1984: Galway · Castlebar · Lifford
01. Nineteen (4:24)
02. Yellow Pearl (4:46)
03. Sarah (4:09)
04. Parisienne Walkways (4:55)
05. Crime Rate (5:50)
06. Young Boy (4:26)
07. Whiter Shade of Pale ∕ Like a Rolling Stone (5:32)
08. A Night in the Life of a Blues Singer (5:52)
09. Cold Sweat (3:11)
10. Dear Miss Lonely Hearts (4:20)
11. Whiskey in the Jar (7:16)

Disc 3: The Studio Sessions
01. Nineteen (4:04)
02. Crime Rate (6:14)
03. Sisters of Mercy (6:37)
04. Whiter Shade of Pale / Like a Rolling Stone (5:46)
05. Military Man (6:16)
06. Harlem (4:11)
07. Gay Boys (3:58)
08. Breakdown (3:32)
09. Look in These Eyes (3:55)
10. She Cries (4:03)

Disc 4: Nostell Priory Festival Wakefield, 27th August 1984
01. Sisters of Mercy (7:20)
02. Military Man (6:39)
03. Harlem (5:28)
04. Dedication (6:56)
05. Parisienne Walkways (5:00)
06. I Don’t Need This (3:24)
07. Dear Miss Lonely Hearts (7:55)
08. Cold Sweat (3:36)
09. Crime Rate (6:42)

Phil Lynott: Lead Vocals / Bass Guitar
Laurence Archer: Lead Guitar
Doish Nagle: Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals
Mark Stanway: Keyboards
Robbie Brennan: Drums

Try Here;
www.amazon.com/Grand-Slam-Collection-Phil-Lynott/dp/B002Q02FNM