Limehouse Lizzy
Pacific Road Arts Centre
Birkenhead
Friday, February 8
2008
Thin Lizzy are a tough act for any tribute band to follow then but without question Limehouse Lizzy – who recently held court on an Arena special filmed by the BBC –live up to the standard with room to spare.
Phil Lynott died in 1986 and though his band, Thin Lizzy, had not a single Number 1 in this country, Lynott’s legacy to the world of British Rock music is unignorable; his charisma, persona and skill as a bassist and lyricist regarded as amongst the best in the business. In Wayne Ellis – who does not mimic the late, great Dublin Rocker – Limehouse Lizzy have as stylish and personable a front man / bassist, backed by some worthy cohorts on guitar and drums, who loves to engage with his audience in time-honoured fashion, asking for requests and disappointed at the call for the favourites. Had somebody asked for Randolph’s Tango rather than Sarah, you got the feeling he’d have been happier, but he hits all the right notes anyway and throws himself into each song with ear-blasting energy.
But it’s the music that needs to pass the test and starting off with Are You Ready before breaking into Waiting For An Alibi proved that this group has what it takes, before Dancing In The Moonlight slowed things down just a tad.
With Greg Alcock and Tim Read – musicians who have worked with some of the best in the business for real, including UFO, Chrome Molly and Demon – Limehouse Lizzy have the power and ability to knock out fabulous versions of Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed, Killer On The Loose and I’ve Got To Give It Up with subliminal precision, yet can be intricate and fast enough to handle Renegade and, most memorably, the sublime Black Rose, all of which is powered along by the thumping faultlessness of Andy Fox on drums to the point that it might be easy to suppose Brian Downey were back behind the kit.
Closing after 2 hours and 20 minutes on The Rocker and the seminal Whisky In The Jar, Limehouse Lizzy left the stage to delirious applause and promised to return again soon. When they do, it is strongly advised you rush to buy a ticket.
http://www.limehouselizzy.co.uk
break the rules as I see fit.” - Chris High 2003.