Reviews generally praise the album's track selection while noting some technical and curation quirks:
The 1991 compilation is often cited by critics as one of the essential gateways into the band's catalog . Released five years after Phil Lynott’s death, the collection is notable for featuring a "new" title track reconstructed from an old demo. Overview of the "Dedication" Single
It began as an 8-track demo recorded around 1985 for Lynott's post-Lizzy band, Grand Slam . Thin Lizzy - Dedication_ The Very Best of Thin ...
The album follows a chronological order from 1973 to 1980. Some critics find this creates an "uneven" experience because early Lizzy had a more folksy sound compared to the hard rock "twin-guitar" era they are most famous for.
The title track, was the primary marketing hook for the release. Reviews generally praise the album's track selection while
Posthumously, former members Scott Gorham (guitar) and Brian Downey (drums) overdubbed new parts onto Lynott's original vocals and bass.
Originally, the song was credited solely to Lynott. This led to a High Court case by Grand Slam guitarist Laurence Archer, who successfully sued to have his songwriting credit and royalties reinstated. Critical Assessment The album follows a chronological order from 1973 to 1980
Reviewers from AllMusic and Rate Your Music highlight it as a top-tier collection, particularly for its inclusion of early, often-overlooked selections like "She Knows" and "Fighting My Way Back".