Shades of a Blue Orphanage Songs Ranked
Shades of a Blue Orphanage is the second studio album by Irish band Thin Lizzy, released in 1972. The title is a combination of the members’ previous bands: Shades of Blue and Orphanage. “Sarah” was written for Phil Lynott’s grandmother who raised him when his mother, Philomena, was unable to do so. This song should not be confused with the 1979 song of the same name, for Lynott’s daughter, included on Black Rose: A Rock Legend. A new remastered and expanded version of Shades of a Blue Orphanage was released on 11 October 2010. Here are all of Shades of a Blue Orphanage songs ranked.
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9. The Rise and Dear Demise of the Funky Nomadic Tribes
“This is pre-Robbo and Scott Gorham Lizzy, when they were still a power-trio consisting of Lynott, Downey, and Eric Bell. At this point, they were still exploring the format as exemplified by the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream, so don’t expect the smooth dual guitar harmonies or soaring attack that begins to be heard on Fighting(1975) and finds its full-throated roar on Jailbreak(1976).”
8. I Don’t Want to Forget How to Jive
“The band takes the rock-funk-blues format into interesting territory, embellishing it with folk runs and full-on folk ballads here and there which show some of the influences from the music of Ireland. Eric Bell’s guitar work is solid and fluid, though lacking the flash of the Gorham/Robbo attack.”
7. Brought Down
“Brought Down” is definitively a Classic Thin Lizzy song combining the acoustic folk and hard rock sound. Downey, as always, is the solid core of the band, and his expertly tight and professional drumming style is already evident.”
See more: Thin Lizzy Albums Ranked
6. Chatting Today
“I’m not normally a lyrics kind of guy (I’m not a Bruce Springsteen fan for instance, but admire the guys talent) but when you combine interesting and creative lyrics with honest, meaningful emotions from the lead singers voice, the results can be very very good, and Shades of a Blue Orphanage is a PERFECT example of mixing excellent lyrics with great vocal melodies.”
5. Shades of a Blue Orphanage
“I really love this album and the more I listen to it, the more the tunes grow on me, and the more I’m becoming a big fan of Thin Lizzy. These guys are NOT your typical hard rock band, and this is solid proof.”
4. Call the Police
“I love Thin Lizzy’s style of songwriting, and the way the lyrics are actually able to MOVE me in a way most bands are unable to do. Let that be an important note to other bands attempting the same style- combine important lyrics with emotion and melody, and that way, the listener ends up paying even *more* attention to the lyrics.”
See more: Thin Lizzy Songs Ranked
3. Baby Face
“Phil Lynott also sounds fantastic. While he isn’t the most versatile vocalist, his voice fits the world of hard blues rock perfectly. He also does some outstanding bass work throughout the album which unfortunately sometimes gets lost in the production.”
2. Sarah
“Clodagh Simonds also does some excellent harpsichord and keyboard work on the track “Sarah” and makes the song a standout track both on the album and within the Thin Lizzy discography with it’s somber instrumental and all around dark vibe.”
1. Buffalo Gal
“Buffalo Gal” delivers all the odd quirkiness of the debut, it’s strange giddyap rhythm and sweet solo licks fading from speaker to speaker. “Buffalo Gal” is definitively one of Thin Lizzy’s most melancholy songs on the album.”
