A welcome reissue for this
Irish Boy,
Eric Bell's solo album was first released in Spain back in 1998. The Dublin born
Bell has had a long and varied career, but he will forever be acclaimed as a founding member of
Thin Lizzy, the man whose guitar put the fire in the band's first hit, "Whiskey in the Jar." For
Irish Boy,
Bell was joined by two long-time cohorts, co-vocalist/bassist
Tony Williams and drummer
Alan Golden. The recording was done quickly in just over a week, and
Bell, for one, wasn't overly impressed with the results, as he states in the sleeve notes. At times one can see his point, the opening numbers "Days of Innocence" and "2 Ships" are lovely, glowing songs, but lack a touch of the excitement we've come to expect from
Bell. But then the trio take up "Ballad by the Irish Sea," washed by waves of guitar that crest in a jubilant Irish jig.
Bell's fingers seem to be literally smiling, so filled with joie de vivre is his playing. Similarly, "Just to Get By" is a blistering, foot-stomping, celebration of life, an Irish hoe-down that cries out for a club remix to rocket it into the dance charts. "You Smiled" sounds like its already spun on Top of the Pops, an irresistible British Invasion styled number with a decided Celtic tinge. A far purer R&B illuminates the strutting "Standing in the Middle," while
Bell's debt to the blues is repaid on the surf-splashed "Newcastle Bay" and the magnificent "Just to Get By," on the latter the guitarist wrings the emotion out of every haunting note he plays. Coming out of left field,though,is "Priest of Love," a surprising stab at white reggae à la
the Police, albeit with
Bell's exquisite guitar winding through, and themed around the fate of a rejected visionary. It's not entirely successful, but the lyrics resonate; better is the funky ride through the