Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away

Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away
Official release poster
Directed by	Emer Reynolds
Original release
Release	23 October 2020 (2020-10-23)

Phil Lynott: Songs For While I'm Away is a 2020 documentary film about the life of singer-songwriter Phil Lynott and his career with Thin Lizzy. It aired on BBC Two on 23 October 2020 and was directed by Emer Reynolds. ^{[1] [2]} It features archival footage and testimonials from peers about Lynott's magnetism as a performer and his brilliance as a musician. The film's title is taken from a poetry collection of Lynott's published in 1974 (and, again, in a compendium format with another collection, in 1997).

The documentary features interviews from Lynott, Scott Gorham, Lynott's ex-wife and their children, along with other musicians such as Midge Ure, James Hetfield of Metallica and Adam Clayton of U2. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

Reception

Songs For While I’m Away received mainly positive reviews. ^{[8] [9] [10] [11]} On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 100% "fresh" rating and is considered "the definitive Phil Lynott documentary." ^[12] The Irish Times gave Songs For While I’m Away 3 out of 5 stars, criticising the lack of mention of Lynott's heroin addiction and there being no analysis of "the dynamics of the music." ^[13] The Guardian also gave Songs For While I’m Away 3 out of 5 stars. ^[14]

References

1. "BBC Two - Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away". BBC. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
2. Telford, Thomas (4 January 2022). "Phil Lynott remembered with touching tributes on 36th anniversary of his death". DublinLive. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
3. O'Connor, Rachael. "New documentary on 'extraordinary' life of Phil Lynott to air on Irish TV tonight". The Irish Post. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
4. Corr, Alan (8 June 2021). "Why Phil Lynott was Irish rock's coolest cat".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
5. Newsdesk, The Hot Press. "Phil Lynott: Songs For While I'm Away cinema release date announced". Hotpress. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
6. entertainment (20 August 2021). "Phil Lynott - Songs for While I'm Away". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
7. Schube, Will (7 November 2021). "New Trailer Released For Doc On Phil Lynott, 'Songs For While I'm Away'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
8. Corr, Alan (25 August 2021). "Phil Lynott doc proves why we're still in love with him".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
9. McDermott, Roe. "Hot Press Top Irish Films Of The Year 2021". Hotpress. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
10. Ruggiero, Bob. "Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy Finally Get Their Documentary Due". Houston Press. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
11. Namee, Dalton Mac (6 November 2021). "Phil Lynott "Songs For While I'm Away" Documentary Out On Digital!". Nova.ie. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
12. Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away , retrieved 23 January 2022
13. Clarke, Donald. "Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away review – The word 'heroin' is never mentioned". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
14. "Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away review – diverting glimpse of Thin Lizzy's poet star". the Guardian. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2022.