Vibe 2008 Review - Johnny the Fox meets Jimmy the Weed
Paul Murphy / drop-d Music Journal
Vibe for Philo 2008
On Jan 4th, to remember Phil Lynott on the 22nd anniversary of his death, a sell out crowd gathered in Dublin for a night of music and poetry.
This years Vibe for Philo concert themed Johnny the Fox meets Jimmy the Weed took over the Button Factory in temple bar continuing the yearly tradition of honouring the High King of Rock.
The show took on a new format this year having guitarist and musical director Brian Grace's the Hoodoo Rhythm Devils acting as houseband. Countless other acts and guests took to the stage in the usual Vibe manner in what always fells like a giant party celebrating the life and music of Phil Lynott.
Strangers in the crowd became close friends at the show honouring a hero, holding glasses aloft in a toast to heaven and swaying arm in arm to hits like 'Still in Love with You', an acoustic 'Borderline' and the unforgettable 'Whiskey in the Jar'.
Organiser Smiley Bolger, long time close friend of Phil, spoke recently in an interview that the 21st Vibe was supposed to be the last and despite his own health problems this year pressure from fans and performers meant the show would go on.
The Thin Lizzy logo from the 'Live and Dangerous' tour, now housed in Eamon Doran's in temple bar, was temporarily moved to outside the venue adding to the sense of occasion for the fans queuing to get in.
Following Tizz Lizzy's energetic opening to six hours of music Californian Jimmy Coup took the stage alongside Satoshi Shibata lead guitarist with Japanese tribute band The Lizzy Boys together they strummed out a three song acoustic set heightening the emotion of the night with their rendition of 'Borderline'.
Jimmy remained on stage and was joined by the rest of Gnasher (Paul Toal, Brian Grace and Lenny) for a performance that left the adoring Lizzy fans blown away. The band concentrated solely on the early Lizzy material opening with an unforgettable version of 'Vagabond of the Western World'.
Philomena Lynott (Philo's mother) took to the stage around midnight, as the annual guest of honour, to thank everyone for their support of fans throughout the years and called on everyone "to celebrate his life, not his lifestyle". Philip Parris Lynott died on January 4th 1986 aged 36 of organ failure resulting from long term drug addiction.
Other performers at the Vibe included former Pogue Cait O'Riordan, Barry James, producer Colm Querney, and Ditch Cassidy whom the crowd warmed to with his tales of being involved with Phil and his version of 'Still in Love with you'. The night also featured poetry from Daniel Breslin.
Brian Grace and Paul Toal took to the stage once again reforming The Southbound Band with guitarist Robbie Bray, Mick Burke playing bass and Eddie G on drums in an electrifying performance that almost stole the show. The crowd were left breathless when the band played 'Suicide' with duelling guitars comparable only to the Brian Robertson, Scott Gorham era of Thin Lizzy. Brian Downey's drum solo from the Live and Dangerous record was given a good run for its money by Eddie G who even had to stand up for part of his solo in what was by far the greatest manipulation of a drum kit I've ever witnessed live.
For those too young to have ever witnessed Thin Lizzy live The Southbound Band are the closest you'll ever come. If Smiley Bolger's dream of a 'Last Waltz' style performance at the 25th Vibe whereby a permanent house band will perform all night with guests rolling on and off the stage throughout the night is to come true then this is the band for the job. As they closed their set with 'Black Rose: A Rock Legend', Grace and Bray delivered a note perfect five minute guitar solo that would have made the perfect ending to the evening but there was still one act left on the bill.
It must have been tough for the boys of Tizz Lizzy to come out on stage but the crowd were pleasantly surprised by their explosive closing set. The tribute band from Northern Ireland blasted out hits like 'Emerald, The Boys are Back in Town, Dancing in the Moonlight, Cold Sweat' and many more.
Front man Matt Wilson, who makes Philomena's heart jump, is a contender for Phil Lynott's closest look-a-like and his singing voice and poses with a Fender Bass are also very close to Philo's. The only thing separating him from the real thing was his northern accent when talking between songs.
The band's hit after hit performance opened with Bob Segar's 'Rosalie' and had the crowd jumping for the rest of the night. Phil Edgar's guitar playing echoed that of Brian Robertson but fellow lead guitarist Joe McQuillan's volume was too low for the band to pull off the trademark twin-guitars of Thin Lizzy.
Like Lizzy, Tizz used 'Baby Drives Me Crazy' to introduce the band near the end of the set before being joined by Paul Toal and Jimmy Coup for 'Whiskey in the Jar' to close the show leaving both performers and fans wanting the night to go on.
