Thin Lizzy "Mama and Papa"

Thin Lizzy The Lost Recordings CD EP (HotPress, 2006)

Well, Decca finally got off their asses and issued the deluxe remasters of Thin Lizzy's first three albums: Thin Lizzy, Shades of a Blue Orphanage, and Vagabonds of the Western World. Back in those days (the very early 1970s) they were a trio with Eric Bell on guitar, rather than the twin guitar attack of Scott Gorham plus another guy (there were several of 'em over the years). These darn things were initially announced as forthcoming close to a decade ago, so it's about darn time! Today's song, therefore, is a tune that predates those records, even.

Host "First Kiss"

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Host
Tryal
LP
(Changeling Music, 1983)

Screw U2. Horslips and Thin Lizzy are the most important Irish bands. After Horslips split in the very early '80s, the members all continued to play music. Three of them (John, Charles and Eamon) played together as Host and released this album, plus some singles.

The sound is on the new wave end of things, a direction Horslips had started heading with their album The Man Who Built America. Like The Táin, Horslips' second album, Tryal is a concept album. In this case, though, it's the true story of Bridget Cleary, who was murdered by her husband Michael in 1895, rather than an ancient Irish legend.

Michael was convinced she was a fairy changeling, who had replaced his actual wife. The town tried her (this included torture) but found she was human. Undeterred, Michael continued to interrogate her, then threw her on an open fire, doused her with lamp oil, and watched her burn to death. He was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years.