Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd [2-CD SET]
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Free Music Notes for The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd [2-CD SET]
Free Music Review: A TRUE GEM OF SOUTHERN CULTURE
Hit: 5 Stars
The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd is a wonderful collection of hits with great stories attached. Though the booklet does not have the lyrics to the songs, it has a quick, verbally illustrative presentation of the rise of one of Southern Rock's greatest acts, from the financial struggles at the beginning to finding the resources to establish record deals to ultimately becoming one of the best selling acts in concert venues. Sadly, the rise in momentum would be cut too short by a tragedy that would end the lives of three performers and leave millions wondering to this day, "What if...?"
As a fan of classic rock, I have developed a newfound appreciation of the contributions of the great Lynyrd Skynyrd. I was, at most, just a casual listener of the group's hits for several years.
After listening to the recent mentioning of "Sweet Home Alabama" as one of the Top 50 Conservative (which I am not exactly, politically speaking) songs of all time and the over-and-over again Number 2 finish in the numerous radio stations' annual Memorial Day countdowns of the all-time greatest rock hits, second only to Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven", I decided to do an internet search of Lynyrd Skynyrd's history.
Much of the headlines I was already aware of, but the stories within I was, by and large, not. From humble beginnings, socially and economically, to a star soaring in prosperity, both critically and commercially, Ronnie Van Zant, the front man of Lynyrd Skynyrd, is a case of one whose demise was at the time of his career peak.
The details of 10/20/77 are tragic and sad, especially with the ironies attached with the production and release of the "Street Survivors", issued only three days earlier. Almost thirty years after the fact, the story resonates with a sadness that is deep enough to leave one in a momentary state of melancholy.
All in all, the Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd is a collection of great classics, ranging from the pre- "Pronounced" days to the more thoroughly produced and polished key tracks from "Street Survivors". I virtually promise that if you are able to recall where you were in the 1970's, then listening to the music and reading the Lynyrd Skynyrd story will cause you to relive certain moments.
Free Music Review: This album makes it clear: Lynyrd Skynyrd are as crucial and timeless as Led Zeppelin,The Stones,Jimi Hendrix......
Hit: 5 Stars
I've always been a good,casual fan of Skynyrd. Knowing that 'The Essential' already housed a good ten or twelve songs I liked and was familiar with,I wasn't prepared to be as blown away by so many other songs I never got around to checking out,such as the wistful "Was I Right Or Wrong","Mr. Banker","All I Can Do Is Write About It"... We all know what a great band Lynyrd Skynyrd is (and was). What hits you hearing all 25 tracks is how refined,graceful and truly great they also are as songwriters,players and- later on - as a self-producing band. There's never a note wasted played by these guys. The breadth of what they were able to conjure up is,well,staggering really.. They capture the whole gamut of emotion,these guys do... While they may be more or less under the category of 'Southern Rock' ,they are much,much more than that. Quite simply,they are perhaps the best band to ever have come from America save for The Allman Bros. . It's all rock and roll. It's as simple as that. Even with a terrific mix of album cuts,radio hits,live tracks and rarities,it all flows so seamlessly that it never occurs to you to skip about the two discs.. You want to hear it straight way through. One of those very rare clunker-free two-disc anthologies. The way this music has hit me is like how it was for me when I got bitten by the Led Zeppelin bug in my late teens: you lean into it full-on; sold from the get-go as a burgeoning die-hard fan. The magical interplay of Allan Collins'(R.I.P.),Gary Rossington's,Steve Gaines'(R.I.P.) and Ed King's guitar-playing is flat-out brilliant. Billy Powell's beautiful,rollicking piano-playing and organ licks,not to mention the peerless,late Ronnie Van Zant's soulful,charismatic singing and presence... The Whole Band: Leon Wilkenson (R.I.P.) on bass,Artemus Pyle,Rickey Medlocke and Bob Burns on the drums,as well as the trio of lovely lady backing vocalists Cassie Gaines (R.I.P.),Jo Billingsley and Leslie Hawkins... You get these wonderful,more obscure cuts such as the ones I mentioned on top of a seemingly endless string of Skynyrd classics: "Sweet Home Alabama",the original studio version of "Freebird" as well as a flat-out stately and elegant live version of "Freebird",too.. "Gimme Three Steps","Simple Man",the gorgeous "Tuesday's Gone","Workin' For MCA","Gimme Back My Bullets","That Smell","What's Your Name","Call Me The Breeze","You Got That Right","Saturday Night Special"... Damn! Talk about THE definitive chilling out with friends out in the yard sort of album. Nevermind hearing it on your own soaking up the musical genius of these guys... Southern Rock/No Southern Rock,Lynyrd Skynyrd remain one of the top dogs of rock and roll for a reason,because they are truly,truly great... Anyone who enjoys not only great songwriting and storytelling but also crack,top-notch musicianship by a REAL BAND who deliver the goods song after song,classic after classic,then by all means get on the horn and check this album out. You'll find like me how indispensable and awesome this 'Essential' really is. Like Black Sabbath,inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006 some ten years too late,but in they are; whatever that means to anybody. Good for them: Finally getting their historical due,but then they already had that,have it still and this music will continue to live on and turn heads and inspire so many people. Thank you for your time. Peace.
Tim Goyer
Albany NY/USA
Free Music Review: Questionable Quality
Hit: 2 Stars
The recordings could have been cleaned up better. Not the quality I expected. Great collection of songs just too bad they didnt clean up the hiss and scratchiness.Free Music Review: Definately essential!
Hit: 5 Stars
This Lynyrd Skynyrd compilation is the best you wiil find. It has all the hits and more and the sound is great. Good liner notes, as well. Lynyrd Skynyrd was one of the best rock bands of the 70's and this collection showcases their talents and great music. If you get one Lynyrd Skynyrd compilation, it should be this one! Free Music Review: Free Bird - Great!!!!
Hit: 3 Stars
This is a very good CD for Free Bird!!! Collects all the classics
though I kinda dont think Lynyrd Skynyrd is that great!! They
don't rock hard, and they made some weak songs too. I'll give
this CD 3 stars because I love Freebird and is a classic 70's.
Sweet Home Alabama is also great!!!