Essential hits, definitive collections, the best of... , the very best of..., the greatest hits.

Yes, the record regurgitation industry churns them out unabated. Take Thin Lizzy. There are already three collection packages, released in 1981, 1991 and 1996, and two live albums covering much the same material.

What we have here is the 21st century grandaddy of them all, nicely packaged and weighing in with 36 tracks on two CDs. But ardent Lizzy fans will not be tempted to part with their money for the two previously-unreleased live tracks.

Singer-songwriter and bass player Phil Lynott put soul, malice and mischief into his songs, and some of them were even pretty. This is hard rock with a glint in its eye.

Reassuringly, the revolving doors of lead guitarists still sound as good now as they did 30 years ago.

Most of the material is from the Jailbreak album onwards and there are a few solo tracks from Lynott before his death in 1986 at the age of 35 after years of heroin, cocaine and alcohol abuse. I really hope this will be the last of the collections. Phil Lynott, rest in peace.

Updated: 08:50 Thursday, July 15, 2004