Classic Albums - Live and Dangerous

Live and Dangerous: A Detailed Analysis

Released in 1978, "Live and Dangerous" captures the legendary Irish rock band Thin Lizzy at their peak. Recorded during their 1977 tour, the album highlights the band's dynamic live performances and features iconic guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. Widely considered one of the greatest live rock albums, it encapsulates Thin Lizzy's musical prowess. In this Classic Album guitar course, expert tutor and devoted Thin Lizzy fan, Danny Gill, teaches the guitar parts from this landmark recording. Journey through the high-octane riffs of "The Rocker" to the soulful strains of "Still In Love With You," and immerse yourself in a cornerstone of hard rock history—essential learning for every rock guitarist.

"Live and Dangerous" is rich with dueling solos, captivating harmony guitar melodies, and some of the most electrifying rock riffs ever crafted. This guide will take you through the album track by track, highlighting the guitar techniques and scales used, and providing insights into the extraordinary talents of these guitarists.

1. Jailbreak Kicking off the album, "Jailbreak" features a signature power chord riff in E minor. The solo blends E minor pentatonic and E blues scales, utilizing string bending and vibrato to create tension.
2. Emerald A hard-rocking tune in A minor, "Emerald" features a main riff based on the A Dorian mode, lending it a Celtic feel. The dual-guitar harmonies and octaves display the band's mastery of this technique.
3. Southbound "Southbound" is a melodic track using A major and A Mixolydian scales. Gorham and Robertson's slides and double-stops imbue the song with a southern rock vibe.
4. Rosalie Covering Bob Seger's song, Thin Lizzy transforms "Rosalie" into a hard-rock anthem. The song's chord progression in A major supports a solo with A major pentatonic and A Mixolydian scales, featuring pull-offs and hammer-ons.
5. Dancing in the Moonlight An upbeat track in G major, "Dancing in the Moonlight" showcases melodic chord progressions and arpeggios.
6. Massacre This fast-paced track in E Dorian is built around galloping rhythms and palm-muted riffs, creating an urgent feel.
7. Still in Love With You A bluesy ballad in A minor, "Still in Love With You" highlights emotional bends and vibrato. The solos use A Mixolydian and A minor pentatonic scales to evoke melancholy, while octave melodies add depth.
8. Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed A funky instrumental in E minor, this track combines E Dorian and E blues scales, featuring syncopated rhythms and double-stop bends.
9. Cowboy Song This classic track blends hard rock and country elements in E major. The guitar work includes hybrid picking and pre-bends, using E Mixolydian and E major pentatonic scales.
10. The Boys Are Back in Town Perhaps Thin Lizzy's most famous song, "The Boys Are Back in Town" in G major features power chords, open-string riffs, and intricate dual-guitar harmonies.
11. Don't Believe a Word A bluesy rock tune in C# minor, "Don't Believe a Word" highlights catchy riffs and melodies using C# minor pentatonic and C# blues scales, with hammer-ons, pull-offs, and string bending.
12. Warrior This epic track in E minor showcases Thin Lizzy's blend of hard rock and Celtic influences, using E Aeolian and E Phrygian scales, with legato techniques and trills for movement and intensity.
13. Are You Ready A high-energy track in A major, "Are You Ready" features infectious riffs and hooks using A major pentatonic and A Mixolydian scales, with alternate picking and palm-muting.
14. Suicide A powerful track in E minor, "Suicide" includes E minor pentatonic and E blues scales, with pinched harmonics and unison bends. The solo section features tremolo picking and dive-bombs.
15. Sha La La "Sha La La" in A major showcases catchy melodies and rhythms with A major pentatonic and A Mixolydian scales, using finger-picking and sweep-picking techniques.
16. Baby Drives Me Crazy A lively track in A major, "Baby Drives Me Crazy" uses A major pentatonic and A Mixolydian scales, with rakes and two-handed tapping techniques.
17. The Rocker A classic Thin Lizzy track in E major, "The Rocker" features E major pentatonic and E Mixolydian scales, with whammy bar tricks and pick slides.

Lead Guitarists: Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson "Live and Dangerous" showcases the incredible talents of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. Their dual-guitar harmonies, masterful use of scales, and innovative techniques set Thin Lizzy apart. Their seamless blend of hard rock, blues, and Celtic influences created a unique sound that continues to inspire guitarists. By exploring the techniques and scales used in "Live and Dangerous," guitarists can gain a deeper appreciation for Thin Lizzy's innovative guitar work. This album not only captures the band's extraordinary live performances but also serves as a source of inspiration for expanding one's playing repertoire.

List of Guitar Techniques Used in this Album:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Harmonics
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Hammer-Ons
• Double-Stops
• Slides
• String Bending
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Bluesy Bends
• Galloping Rhythms
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Chromaticism

NB: PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS COURSE

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