Freebird-The movie soundtrack
Showing posts with label Lynyrd Skynyrd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lynyrd Skynyrd. Show all posts
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Freebird the movie Soundtrack
Authorized Bootleg - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Authorized Bootleg-Live from Cardiff
I have the COMPLETE Cardiff Wales show on CDR and it is a mint condition
recording. The recording that is being sold is missing three songs, the songs
listed by another person who bothered to comment. The audio of this show is GOOD
but Ronnie Van Zant had been SICK. The man was nearly hoarse just a day or two
earlier. The Old Grey Whistle Test show which is complete and on DVD also
suffers from Ronnie's cold. Days earlier Ronnie and the band had been in Paris,
France. I have that recording also. Ronnie was quite sick. He had a massive head
cold and he sounded more like Danny Joe Brown, the one time vocalist for Molly
Hatchet. The fact that Ronnie had been SICK was the REASON that this show was
NEVER released commercially. I understand that people want to hear the show, and
it's good that the show got released, but why not simply release the entire
show???? I think it was on Simple Man, one of the deleted tracks where Ronnie's
voice litterally broke as he was trying to sing. I considered buying a copy of
this for myself until I read where the show had been edited down to only 9 of
the recorded twelve songs. People are getting screwed on this release.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Lynyrd Skynyrd- Vicious Cycle
Vicious Cycle
This album rocks from start to finish. There`s the usual Skynyrd Southern rock sound, but also heavy metal fans, like myself, will love this. Some of the guitar riffs on here are pretty bloody heavy. I was a bit skeptical at first when Skynyrd reformed with a different singer, but i can now confirm that the new Skynyrd line up is just as good, if not better, than the line up from the 70s. These guys have never made a dull album since they started. And you`d think with age they`d mellow a bit, but, no, their new material is great hard rock sounding music. The guitar work is also fantastic with great lead breaks. For the Skynyrd fans who also like the band`s more softer songs, don`t worry, there`s some great ballads on here as well. Overall, one of their best albums. Long live Lynyrd Skynyrd. Ricky Medlock's voice and guitar work are very noticeable on this album. red, White and Blue is a great song.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
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| Original Lineup |
Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced /ˌlɛnərd ˈskɪnərd/ LEN-ərd-SKIN-ərd) is an American rock band best known for popularizing the southern hard-rock genre during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1964 as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tunes "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird." At the peak of their success, three members died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an abrupt end to the band's most popular incarnation.
Surviving members re-formed a decade later for a reunion tour with lead singer Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother Johnny as frontman. A version of the band continues to tour and record, with only Gary Rossington of its original members remaining. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006.
Peak years (1973–1977)
In 1972 the band (now Van Zant, Collins, Rossington, Burns, Wilkeson, and Powell) was discovered by musician, songwriter, and producer Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat, and Tears, who had attended one of their shows at Funocchio's in Atlanta. They changed the spelling of their name to "Lynyrd Skynyrd" (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), and Kooper signed them to his Sounds of the South label that was to be distributed and supported by MCA Records, producing their first album. Leon Wilkeson temporarily left the band during the early recording sessions for the album only playing on two tracks. Wilkeson rejoined the band shortly after the album's release at Van Zant's invitation and is pictured on the album cover. Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King joined the band and played bass on the album (the only part which Wilkeson had already written being the solo section in "Simple Man"), along with some tasty Stratocaster work. King stayed in the band and switched to guitar after the album's release, allowing the band to replicate the three-guitar mix used in the studio for their live performances. Released August 13, 1973, the album featured the hit song "Free Bird," which received national airplay, eventually reaching No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Surviving members re-formed a decade later for a reunion tour with lead singer Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother Johnny as frontman. A version of the band continues to tour and record, with only Gary Rossington of its original members remaining. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006.
Peak years (1973–1977)
In 1972 the band (now Van Zant, Collins, Rossington, Burns, Wilkeson, and Powell) was discovered by musician, songwriter, and producer Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat, and Tears, who had attended one of their shows at Funocchio's in Atlanta. They changed the spelling of their name to "Lynyrd Skynyrd" (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), and Kooper signed them to his Sounds of the South label that was to be distributed and supported by MCA Records, producing their first album. Leon Wilkeson temporarily left the band during the early recording sessions for the album only playing on two tracks. Wilkeson rejoined the band shortly after the album's release at Van Zant's invitation and is pictured on the album cover. Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King joined the band and played bass on the album (the only part which Wilkeson had already written being the solo section in "Simple Man"), along with some tasty Stratocaster work. King stayed in the band and switched to guitar after the album's release, allowing the band to replicate the three-guitar mix used in the studio for their live performances. Released August 13, 1973, the album featured the hit song "Free Bird," which received national airplay, eventually reaching No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
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| New Version of the band |
Monday, November 26, 2012
Ronnie Van Zant
Ronnie Van Zant
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| With the Neil Young Tshirt |
Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977) was an American lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and a founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was the older brother of the founder and vocalist of 38 Special, Donnie Van Zant, and of current Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant.
He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, to Lacy (1915–2004) and Marion (1929–2000) Van Zant. Van Zant aspired to be many things before finding his love for music. Notably, Ronnie was interested in becoming a boxer (as Muhammad Ali was one of his idols) and in playing professional baseball. Ronnie also tossed around the idea of becoming a stock-car racer. In fact, he would say that he was going to be the most famous person to come out of Jacksonville since Lee Roy Yarbrough.
Van Zant formed Skynyrd late in the summer of 1964 with friends and schoolmates Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). Lynyrd Skynyrd's name is a mock tribute to a gym teacher the boys had in high school, Leonard Skinner, who disapproved of male students with long hair.
He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, to Lacy (1915–2004) and Marion (1929–2000) Van Zant. Van Zant aspired to be many things before finding his love for music. Notably, Ronnie was interested in becoming a boxer (as Muhammad Ali was one of his idols) and in playing professional baseball. Ronnie also tossed around the idea of becoming a stock-car racer. In fact, he would say that he was going to be the most famous person to come out of Jacksonville since Lee Roy Yarbrough.
Van Zant formed Skynyrd late in the summer of 1964 with friends and schoolmates Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). Lynyrd Skynyrd's name is a mock tribute to a gym teacher the boys had in high school, Leonard Skinner, who disapproved of male students with long hair.
The band's national exposure began in 1973 with the release of their debut album, (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), which has a string of hits and fan favorites including: "I Ain't the One", "Tuesday's Gone", "Gimme Three Steps", "Simple Man," and their signature song, "Free Bird", which he later dedicated to the late Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band.[citation needed]
Lynyrd Skynyrd's biggest hit single was "Sweet Home Alabama" from the album Second Helping. "Sweet Home Alabama" was an answer song to Neil Young's "Alabama" and "Southern Man." Young's song "Powderfinger" on the 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps was reportedly written for Skynyrd, and Van Zant is pictured on the cover of Street Survivors wearing a T-shirt of Young's Tonight's the Night.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Gary Rossington
Gary Rossington
Gary Robert Rossington (born December 4, 1951, Jacksonville, Florida, United States) is an American musician, best known as a founding member of Southern hard rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He plays lead and rhythm guitar. He is also a founding member of The Rossington-Collins Band along with former Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmate, Allen Collins. Rossington is the only original member still with the band as of 2012.
Rossington formed the band "The Noble Five" as a teenager with friends Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Larry Junstrom and Bob Burns in the summer of 1964. They would later change the name of the band to "The One Percent" before becoming Lynyrd Skynyrd. Skynyrd gained national exposure starting in 1973 with the release of their first album (pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd) and hit single "Free Bird".
Rossington's instrument of choice was a 1959 Gibson Les Paul that he purchased from a woman whose boyfriend had left her and left behind his guitar. He named it "Berneice" in honor of his mother whom he was close to. Rossington has played lead guitar on "Tuesday's Gone" and the slide guitar for "Free Bird". Along with Collins, Rossington also provided the guitar work for "Simple Man".
On Labor Day weekend in 1976, Rossington and fellow Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins were both involved in separate auto accidents in their hometown of Jacksonville. Rossington had just bought a new Ford Torino, and hit an oak tree while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The band was due to go on tour in a couple of days, but had to postpone this tour due to Rossington's accident. The band members were not at all pleased with Rossington, and fined him $5000 for the delay caused to the band's schedule. Van Zant and Collins wrote the song "That Smell" based on the wreck, and Rossington's state of influence from drugs and alcohol at the time. "Whiskey bottles and brand new cars, oak tree you're in my way. There's too much coke and too much smoke."
After several years of recovery, the crash survivors felt the time was right for another try. Gary Rossington and Allen Collins had performed at a few special jams, and slowly began planning a new band. In a few months they had signed on Skynyrd survivors Billy Powell and Leon Wilkeson and other local musicians, although the choice of a lead vocalist for the new band remained a perplexing one. Wisely, Gary and Allen chose Dale Krantz, a gutsy, whiskey-voiced female backup singer from .38 Special, instead of an inferior male Ronnie VanZant imitator.
The Rossington-Collins Band debuted in 1980 with the Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere album. Kicked by such songs as ‘Getaway” and 'Don’t Misunderstand Me’ the album sold more than a million copies and the band toured to enthusiastic, sellout crowds. However the band’s 1981 follow-up effort stumbled in the marketplace despite being well-received critcally.
Mounting pressures took a high toll on the band. Allen’s wife died during a miscarriage forcing the cancellation of the 1980 tour, then Gary broke his foot and postponed the tour for another six months. By 1982, Gary and Dale had fallen in love which added another stress to the host of problems within the band. In May the two married and retired to a log house just outside the National Elk Refuge in the Grand Teton Mountains to relax and raise a family.
Rossington formed the band "The Noble Five" as a teenager with friends Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Larry Junstrom and Bob Burns in the summer of 1964. They would later change the name of the band to "The One Percent" before becoming Lynyrd Skynyrd. Skynyrd gained national exposure starting in 1973 with the release of their first album (pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd) and hit single "Free Bird".
Rossington's instrument of choice was a 1959 Gibson Les Paul that he purchased from a woman whose boyfriend had left her and left behind his guitar. He named it "Berneice" in honor of his mother whom he was close to. Rossington has played lead guitar on "Tuesday's Gone" and the slide guitar for "Free Bird". Along with Collins, Rossington also provided the guitar work for "Simple Man".
On Labor Day weekend in 1976, Rossington and fellow Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins were both involved in separate auto accidents in their hometown of Jacksonville. Rossington had just bought a new Ford Torino, and hit an oak tree while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The band was due to go on tour in a couple of days, but had to postpone this tour due to Rossington's accident. The band members were not at all pleased with Rossington, and fined him $5000 for the delay caused to the band's schedule. Van Zant and Collins wrote the song "That Smell" based on the wreck, and Rossington's state of influence from drugs and alcohol at the time. "Whiskey bottles and brand new cars, oak tree you're in my way. There's too much coke and too much smoke."
After several years of recovery, the crash survivors felt the time was right for another try. Gary Rossington and Allen Collins had performed at a few special jams, and slowly began planning a new band. In a few months they had signed on Skynyrd survivors Billy Powell and Leon Wilkeson and other local musicians, although the choice of a lead vocalist for the new band remained a perplexing one. Wisely, Gary and Allen chose Dale Krantz, a gutsy, whiskey-voiced female backup singer from .38 Special, instead of an inferior male Ronnie VanZant imitator.
The Rossington-Collins Band debuted in 1980 with the Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere album. Kicked by such songs as ‘Getaway” and 'Don’t Misunderstand Me’ the album sold more than a million copies and the band toured to enthusiastic, sellout crowds. However the band’s 1981 follow-up effort stumbled in the marketplace despite being well-received critcally.
Mounting pressures took a high toll on the band. Allen’s wife died during a miscarriage forcing the cancellation of the 1980 tour, then Gary broke his foot and postponed the tour for another six months. By 1982, Gary and Dale had fallen in love which added another stress to the host of problems within the band. In May the two married and retired to a log house just outside the National Elk Refuge in the Grand Teton Mountains to relax and raise a family.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Hughie Thomasson
Hughie Thomasson
Hugh Edward Thomasson, Jr. (August 13, 1952 - September 9, 2007) was an American guitarist and singer, best known as a founding member of Outlaws and as a guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd.
He wrote most of the songs for the Outlaws, including "Hurry Sundown", "There Goes Another Love Song," and "Green Grass and High Tides". After Outlaws disbanded, Thomasson joined Lynyrd Skynyrd, leaving that band in 2005 to reform Outlaws. Before his death he contributed to writing of many of Lynyrd Skynyrd's songs on their 2009 album God & Guns, including the single "Still Unbroken."
Thomasson died in his sleep on September 9, 2007 of a heart attack in his home in Brooksville, Florida. He was 55 years old. Hughie Thomasson went out to dinner with his wife Mary on Sunday (Sept. 9), went home, got comfortable in his favorite chair to watch football and then passed away from a heart attack during a nap. He was 55 and lived in Brooksville, Fla., near Tampa.
Born Hugh Edward Thomasson Jr., Hughie Thomasson joined a fledging Tampa-area bar band named the Outlaws in the late '60s. With David Dix on drums, Thomasson quickly made a name for himself as a no-nonsense guitar master. The group disbanded, but Thomasson reformed the Outlaws in 1972 with guitarist Henry Paul, drummer Monte Yoho and bassist Frank O'Keefe. (Paul later enjoyed a successful country career as a member of BlackHawk.) Guitarist Billy Jones joined in 1973.
Known as the Florida Guitar Army for their triple-lead guitar attack, the Outlaws were the first group signed by former Columbia Records head Clive Davis when he formed Arista Records. He flew to Columbus, Ga., in 1974 to see the Outlaws perform with Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Columbus Civic Center and went to the Ramada Inn after the show and made an offer.
Their 1975 debut album, The Outlaws, quickly sold gold, and they were signed as the opening act on the Doobie Brothers' Stampede tour. The band went on to record 13 albums in all, with such hits as "Green Grass and High Tides" and "Hurry Sundown," both of which Thomasson wrote. His signature Fender Stratocaster guitar sound and vocals came to define the group.
The Outlaws disbanded in the mid-'90s when Thomasson joined Lynyrd Skynyrd. He added his distinctive guitar sound to Skynyrd's robust lineup and co-wrote many of the band's later songs. In 2005, Thomasson left Skynyrd and reformed the Outlaws with drummers Yoho and Dix, bassist Randy Threet and guitarist Chris Anderson.
They toured extensively this year and performed with the Charlie Daniels Band, the Marshall Tucker Band and Dickey Betts and also played a festival in Amsterdam with Aerosmith. The Outlaws' last concert took place Saturday (Sept. 8) at a casino in Nevada, and they had 15 concert dates scheduled through mid-December of this year. A final, completed album, tentatively titled Once an Outlaw, which Thomasson produced, has not yet been scheduled for release. Thomasson had also planned to re-release his solo album, So Low, under the new title, Lone Outlaw.
He wrote most of the songs for the Outlaws, including "Hurry Sundown", "There Goes Another Love Song," and "Green Grass and High Tides". After Outlaws disbanded, Thomasson joined Lynyrd Skynyrd, leaving that band in 2005 to reform Outlaws. Before his death he contributed to writing of many of Lynyrd Skynyrd's songs on their 2009 album God & Guns, including the single "Still Unbroken."
Thomasson died in his sleep on September 9, 2007 of a heart attack in his home in Brooksville, Florida. He was 55 years old. Hughie Thomasson went out to dinner with his wife Mary on Sunday (Sept. 9), went home, got comfortable in his favorite chair to watch football and then passed away from a heart attack during a nap. He was 55 and lived in Brooksville, Fla., near Tampa.
Born Hugh Edward Thomasson Jr., Hughie Thomasson joined a fledging Tampa-area bar band named the Outlaws in the late '60s. With David Dix on drums, Thomasson quickly made a name for himself as a no-nonsense guitar master. The group disbanded, but Thomasson reformed the Outlaws in 1972 with guitarist Henry Paul, drummer Monte Yoho and bassist Frank O'Keefe. (Paul later enjoyed a successful country career as a member of BlackHawk.) Guitarist Billy Jones joined in 1973.
Known as the Florida Guitar Army for their triple-lead guitar attack, the Outlaws were the first group signed by former Columbia Records head Clive Davis when he formed Arista Records. He flew to Columbus, Ga., in 1974 to see the Outlaws perform with Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Columbus Civic Center and went to the Ramada Inn after the show and made an offer.
Their 1975 debut album, The Outlaws, quickly sold gold, and they were signed as the opening act on the Doobie Brothers' Stampede tour. The band went on to record 13 albums in all, with such hits as "Green Grass and High Tides" and "Hurry Sundown," both of which Thomasson wrote. His signature Fender Stratocaster guitar sound and vocals came to define the group.
The Outlaws disbanded in the mid-'90s when Thomasson joined Lynyrd Skynyrd. He added his distinctive guitar sound to Skynyrd's robust lineup and co-wrote many of the band's later songs. In 2005, Thomasson left Skynyrd and reformed the Outlaws with drummers Yoho and Dix, bassist Randy Threet and guitarist Chris Anderson.
They toured extensively this year and performed with the Charlie Daniels Band, the Marshall Tucker Band and Dickey Betts and also played a festival in Amsterdam with Aerosmith. The Outlaws' last concert took place Saturday (Sept. 8) at a casino in Nevada, and they had 15 concert dates scheduled through mid-December of this year. A final, completed album, tentatively titled Once an Outlaw, which Thomasson produced, has not yet been scheduled for release. Thomasson had also planned to re-release his solo album, So Low, under the new title, Lone Outlaw.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Edge of forever
Edge of Forever
I haven't heard any new music that sounds like this since I got my copy of Ken McMahan's CD That's Your Reality. And that was a drop that ended a very long dry spell. Hardly anybody makes music like this anymore. BTW check out Ken's music if you get the chance!
Johnny VanZandt sounds just enough like Ronnie to remind you of the old Skynyrd, but still so unlike Ronnie that it gives a new identity to the band. This is NOT a recycled Skynyrd, but a new Skynyrd, and it's definitely a good enough Skynyrd to stand on it's own.
My favorite track is Preacher Man. I think there's more of a Blackfoot feel here than a Skynyrd feel, but that's okay by me, since I like Blackfoot so much (I even liked Vertical Smiles!). Close contenders for fav tracks are Workin', Mean Streets, and the Y2K tribute title cut.
Let the yuppies and the youngsters have this new country. Give me the model, Give me the real thing. Edge of Forever is the real thing.
This is the one we've been waiting for! With Twenty having been lackluster and all these greatest hits releases, this album has been much anticipated, and it does the job well. From the blue-collar rooted, "Workin' Man," through the powerful riffs of, "Preacher Man," right down to the good-natured rockin' of, "F.L.A.," this album gets it done the southern fried Skynyrd way! There is definite Outlaws and Blackfoot, (read Thomason and Medlocke,) inspiration here, but to the Skynrd purists, Steve Gaines changed the sound of the band as well. It's an evolution thing. Don't forget, Medlocke had a lot to do with Skynyrd in its early years, and appears on some early cuts. Some of the songs from this album are getting a lot of airplay, to show that even if not familiar with Skynyrd, (as you should be,) these songs play well to a wide audience.
Allen Collins
Allen Collins
Long considered one of rock's premier guitarists, Allen Collins served as heart to Ronnie VanZant's soul in Lynyrd Skynyrd. Allen's unique, firey guitar playing and powerful songwriting helped insure Lynyrd Skynyrd's place in rock and roll history.
He was 6282 BytesBorn at St. Lukes Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida on July 19, 1952, Allen (delivered by Doctor Owens) weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Allen's mother, Eva remembers her son as full of energy and enthusiasm -- even before Allen could walk he moved constantly. From his earliest days Allen loved cars -- especially race cars -- and his favorite summer activity was going to Jacksonville Raceway every Saturday night to watch Leroy Yarborough race. The Collins family first started attending the races when Allen was eight years old and Allen, sitting as high in the stands as possible, would laugh and holler as he pretended to be racing his own car. This early fascination lasted throughout Allen's life -- he later collected an entire fleet of collectible and performance cars that was one of his proudest possessions.
In 1963, Allen lived in Jacksonville's Cedar Hills area when an older friend received a guitar for his birthday. Allen was hooked. Allen's parents had recently divorced and times were tough for Allen, his sister and mother. His mother, already working all day at the cigar factory, took a second job at Woolworths in the evenings. As soon as she had saved enough money, she surprised Allen by taking him down to Sears and ordered his first Silvertone guitar and amplifier. Despite no training aside from a few tips from his step-mother and friend, Allen picked up the guitar easily and quickly formed his first band -- The Mods.
Together with singer Ronnie VanZant and guitarist Gary Rossington, Allen Collins formed the nucleus of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1964 by learning what they could from each other and listening to the radio. This early band, first called My Backyard, then the Noble Five also included drummer Bob Burns and bassist Larry Junstrum. Finding a place to practice proved difficult and the choices were limited to the carport at Bob's house, Ronnie's backyard, where they were sure to get a full meal or Allen's living room which usually included Eva's famous cakes and candies. After several years of practicing, performing and personnel changes, Skynyrd, like any decent group of fledgling rock stars, started gigging the notorious one-nighters.
During the early 1980s, Collins continued to perform on stage in The Rossington-Collins Band which enjoyed modest success, releasing two albums (Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere, and This Is the Way), and charting a few singles (notably "Don't Misunderstand Me"). In 1980, Collins' wife Kathy suddenly died of a hemorrhage. The Rossington-Collins Band disbanded in 1982. Allen continued to pursue music, starting Allen Collins Band, which released one album, Here, There & Back in 1983.
He was 6282 BytesBorn at St. Lukes Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida on July 19, 1952, Allen (delivered by Doctor Owens) weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Allen's mother, Eva remembers her son as full of energy and enthusiasm -- even before Allen could walk he moved constantly. From his earliest days Allen loved cars -- especially race cars -- and his favorite summer activity was going to Jacksonville Raceway every Saturday night to watch Leroy Yarborough race. The Collins family first started attending the races when Allen was eight years old and Allen, sitting as high in the stands as possible, would laugh and holler as he pretended to be racing his own car. This early fascination lasted throughout Allen's life -- he later collected an entire fleet of collectible and performance cars that was one of his proudest possessions.
In 1963, Allen lived in Jacksonville's Cedar Hills area when an older friend received a guitar for his birthday. Allen was hooked. Allen's parents had recently divorced and times were tough for Allen, his sister and mother. His mother, already working all day at the cigar factory, took a second job at Woolworths in the evenings. As soon as she had saved enough money, she surprised Allen by taking him down to Sears and ordered his first Silvertone guitar and amplifier. Despite no training aside from a few tips from his step-mother and friend, Allen picked up the guitar easily and quickly formed his first band -- The Mods.
Together with singer Ronnie VanZant and guitarist Gary Rossington, Allen Collins formed the nucleus of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1964 by learning what they could from each other and listening to the radio. This early band, first called My Backyard, then the Noble Five also included drummer Bob Burns and bassist Larry Junstrum. Finding a place to practice proved difficult and the choices were limited to the carport at Bob's house, Ronnie's backyard, where they were sure to get a full meal or Allen's living room which usually included Eva's famous cakes and candies. After several years of practicing, performing and personnel changes, Skynyrd, like any decent group of fledgling rock stars, started gigging the notorious one-nighters.
During the early 1980s, Collins continued to perform on stage in The Rossington-Collins Band which enjoyed modest success, releasing two albums (Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere, and This Is the Way), and charting a few singles (notably "Don't Misunderstand Me"). In 1980, Collins' wife Kathy suddenly died of a hemorrhage. The Rossington-Collins Band disbanded in 1982. Allen continued to pursue music, starting Allen Collins Band, which released one album, Here, There & Back in 1983.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Christmas Time Again
Christmas Time Again
When I first heard Lynyrd Skynyrd put out a Christmas CD,I thought are these guys El Loco? Guess again. Not only did they pull it off,but they have made another marvelous record.The band rocks out such standards as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Raindeer,Run Run Rudolph, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town,with the Charlie Daniels Band(ala early Elvis).Christmas Time Again is a smokey r&b influenced song with an outstanding duet featuring Johnny Van Zant and Dale Rossington. Even though this is a signature Skynyrd record,they manage to incorporate a beautiful orchestrated Greensleeves(traditional) keyboards by Billy Powell and Bill Cuomo,and also Classical Christmas-instrumental. The album concludes with another upbeat guest Thirty Specialand back to the group's honky tonk "Skynyrd Family." Whether you are giving or receiving,make sure this one ends up under your Christmas tree.You'll be playing this one for many years to come!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-The last rebel
The Last Rebel
Of course, everyone knows Freebird, the greatest Southern rock anthem of all time, and just about everyone still mourns the loss of original front man Ronnie Van-Zant (as well as guitarist Steve Gaines) When I heard this album's title track The Last Rebel, though, I knew I had to have this album. As both a proud Southerner and a man who oftentimes finds himself in a minority of one on certain issues, this song appealed to me on two levels. The music and lyrics combine to evoke vivid images of a Rebel soldier, alone and defeated yet still proud and resilient, leaving the scarred battleground to return home; it's a haunting track that, through front-man Johnny Van-Zant's gritty, hard-driving vocals, evokes a vivid image of that Southern soldier trying to find his way home in a world that has changed forever.
The album as a whole is a little hit-and-miss, in my opinion. There are some really great tracks, but there also some tracks that really just don't seem to do anything for me. The band seems to be going through the motions at times, but when Johnny Van-Zant sings about the South and bemoans a way of life that is quickly disappearing, his voice roils with an angst-filled emotional power that takes the music to a whole new level. Thus are born such winning songs as Can't Take That Away, Outta Hell in my Dodge, Kiss Your Freedom Goodbye, South of Heaven, and Born to Run. What some will call "redneck" songs actually resonate with fans all over the country for their lament for moral decline, the demise of small towns and small town values, and the code of honor that has always been a part of being a Southerner. Can't Take That Away is a particularly timely song today, as it rises up to challenge those who want to denigrate the flag, do away with the Pledge of Allegiance, and take away any association with God from the United States. Those South of Heaven will always fight for the ideals upon which this country was founded, and that is what Lynyrd Skynyrd sings about.
A few tracks on this album seem to take the band away from their origins, and the attempt to inject a more pop-oriented sound into the music finds unhappy results. Good Lovin's Hard to Find and Best Things in Life have an element of "good time sound" to them but really don't speak to me at all. They aren't bad songs, but they become tiresome rather quickly. The album does end on a strong note, however, as Born to Run not only speaks to Lynyrd Skynyrd's core themes but provides plenty of opportunity to Gary Rossington to play his guitar the way he alone can play it. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives on this 1993 release.
The album as a whole is a little hit-and-miss, in my opinion. There are some really great tracks, but there also some tracks that really just don't seem to do anything for me. The band seems to be going through the motions at times, but when Johnny Van-Zant sings about the South and bemoans a way of life that is quickly disappearing, his voice roils with an angst-filled emotional power that takes the music to a whole new level. Thus are born such winning songs as Can't Take That Away, Outta Hell in my Dodge, Kiss Your Freedom Goodbye, South of Heaven, and Born to Run. What some will call "redneck" songs actually resonate with fans all over the country for their lament for moral decline, the demise of small towns and small town values, and the code of honor that has always been a part of being a Southerner. Can't Take That Away is a particularly timely song today, as it rises up to challenge those who want to denigrate the flag, do away with the Pledge of Allegiance, and take away any association with God from the United States. Those South of Heaven will always fight for the ideals upon which this country was founded, and that is what Lynyrd Skynyrd sings about.
A few tracks on this album seem to take the band away from their origins, and the attempt to inject a more pop-oriented sound into the music finds unhappy results. Good Lovin's Hard to Find and Best Things in Life have an element of "good time sound" to them but really don't speak to me at all. They aren't bad songs, but they become tiresome rather quickly. The album does end on a strong note, however, as Born to Run not only speaks to Lynyrd Skynyrd's core themes but provides plenty of opportunity to Gary Rossington to play his guitar the way he alone can play it. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives on this 1993 release.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Legend
Legend
Legend is a hodgepodge of outtakes from the 70's. Mr.Banker and Truck Drivin' Man are from the first record in 73. Georgia Peaches and Sweet Little Missy are a couple of swaggering honky tonkers from Street Survivors. Nothing extraordinary here, but no clunkers either. If you're like me, you wanna here anything with Ronnie singin on it. This is really a must album for serious fans of the band. It's interesting to notice the different vibe in the band on the songs with Steve Gaines. The Okie definitely gave this band a spark with his snakey strat licks. One In The Sun shows that Gaines had a fine voice as well. I'd love to hear Eric Clapton cover One in the Sun- what a great song. Damn what a shame this band got taken away so cruely. You know, there are good reasons why you still hear 70's Skynyrd songs every day on the radio- great riffs, singing and whole bunch of soul. RIP Steve Gaines, you were a gem that we barely knew. there is no doubt about it...this is one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic albums. My favorite song on this album is Georgia Peaches. Alot of Guitar Work In That Song. This is also one of the albums that has a variety of the skynyrd members. it has singer-ronnie van zant,guitarists-gary rossington,ed king,allen collins and steve gaines(wich also sings on this album),and drummers-artimus pyle and bob burns,and bassist Leon Wilkeson and larry junstrom and classially trained pianist billy powell.Buy this and you wont regret it.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Gimme back my bullets
Gimme Back My bullets
Gimme Back My Bullets is generally considered the least successful of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd albums, but it has always been my favorite. I rate it just slightly ahead of the essential "Pronounced". I remember staying up late as a teenager, to hear its midnight debut on the local radio station (WDVE, Pittsburgh), and buying it ASAP after that.
"Bullets" is a transitional album for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Most obviously, it features a 2-guitar line-up, coming after the departure of Ed King, and a few months before Steve Gaines joined. The 2-guitar sound is a bit leaner that previous albums, but Collins and Rossington are more than capable of carrying the load! But it's also their first production with the legendary Tom Dowd replacing Al Kooper who had produced their first 3 albums. And it has the debut of the Honkettes, the female backup vocal group consisting of JoJo Billingsley, Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins.
Gimme Back My Bullets is very much Allen Collins' record. Over the first 3 Skynyrd albums, the songwriting was spilt pretty evenly between the 3 guitarists (along with Singer Ronnie Van Zant, of course). Allen Collins co-authors 8 of 24 songs, Gary Rossington and Ed King each co-author 7. But Allen wrote many of Skynyrd's best songs, including "Freebird", "Gimme 3 Steps", "Tuesday's Gone" and "Needle & The Spoon". On "Bullets", Allen has songwriting credits (along with RVZ) on all 8 of the original songs (Rossington is also part of the team on 3 of the songs).
Musically, "Bullets" didn't have any big hits, but does include several Skynyrd standards. All of the songs are great. The title track, "Double Trouble" and "Searchin" are all Skynyrd standards, along with the acoustic-ish "All I can Do Is Write About It". "Roll Gypsie Roll" is a reflective piece about life on the road, and one of my all time favorite songs. "Every Mother's Son", "Trust" and "Cry For The Bad Man" are all solid songs. There's also a cover of J.J.Cale's "Same Old Blues" that has a great, almost funky, feel. Trivia note: Lynyrd Skynyrd only did 2 covers on their first 4 studio albums, both were of J.J. Cale songs. The other was "Call Me The Breeze".
If you're a casual Skynyrd fan, start with "Pronounced", or the original band's live set "One More From The Road". But if you want to get deeper into the spirit of the band, this album can't be beat.
"Bullets" is a transitional album for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Most obviously, it features a 2-guitar line-up, coming after the departure of Ed King, and a few months before Steve Gaines joined. The 2-guitar sound is a bit leaner that previous albums, but Collins and Rossington are more than capable of carrying the load! But it's also their first production with the legendary Tom Dowd replacing Al Kooper who had produced their first 3 albums. And it has the debut of the Honkettes, the female backup vocal group consisting of JoJo Billingsley, Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins.
Gimme Back My Bullets is very much Allen Collins' record. Over the first 3 Skynyrd albums, the songwriting was spilt pretty evenly between the 3 guitarists (along with Singer Ronnie Van Zant, of course). Allen Collins co-authors 8 of 24 songs, Gary Rossington and Ed King each co-author 7. But Allen wrote many of Skynyrd's best songs, including "Freebird", "Gimme 3 Steps", "Tuesday's Gone" and "Needle & The Spoon". On "Bullets", Allen has songwriting credits (along with RVZ) on all 8 of the original songs (Rossington is also part of the team on 3 of the songs).
Musically, "Bullets" didn't have any big hits, but does include several Skynyrd standards. All of the songs are great. The title track, "Double Trouble" and "Searchin" are all Skynyrd standards, along with the acoustic-ish "All I can Do Is Write About It". "Roll Gypsie Roll" is a reflective piece about life on the road, and one of my all time favorite songs. "Every Mother's Son", "Trust" and "Cry For The Bad Man" are all solid songs. There's also a cover of J.J.Cale's "Same Old Blues" that has a great, almost funky, feel. Trivia note: Lynyrd Skynyrd only did 2 covers on their first 4 studio albums, both were of J.J. Cale songs. The other was "Call Me The Breeze".
If you're a casual Skynyrd fan, start with "Pronounced", or the original band's live set "One More From The Road". But if you want to get deeper into the spirit of the band, this album can't be beat.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Boxed Set
Boxed Set
This box set stands as a testament to the diversity and quality of Lynyrd Skynyrd's music. From the spare blues of "Mr. Banker" and "Four Walls of Raiford" to the balladry of "Tuesday's Gone" and "One More Time" to the hard rock of "On the Hunt" and "Saturday Night Special", this set demonstrates that the boys from Florida excelled in a wide variety of musical styles. If you are a casual fan, the hits are all here from "Freebird" to "Sweet Home Alabama". For the Skynyrd enthusiast, Disc 1 is a treasure-trove of very enjoyable demos that makes this box set a must.
I do have a few complaints though. First, the songs have not been remastered for this box set which is rather unfortunate since Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic albums were not graced with great production quality. Second, though I appreciate the live songs on Disc 3, I feel we should have been offered the studio versions of "Gimme Back My Bullets", "Searchin", "Simple Man", and "Whiskey Rock-A-Roller" as well. "Simple Man" in particular is one of Skynyrd's all-time classics and no career retrospective box set should be without the original studio version of this song. Still, there are some great moments in the live songs included here too - who doesn't enjoy it when Ronnie tells the crowd he's gonna "sik an Okie" on them in the intro to "T For Texas"?
If you've ever been a fan of southern rock in general or Lynyrd Skynyrd in particular, you need this box set in your collection. I've had it for 10 years now and continue to derive a great deal of enjoyment from it - I'm quite confident you will too.
I do have a few complaints though. First, the songs have not been remastered for this box set which is rather unfortunate since Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic albums were not graced with great production quality. Second, though I appreciate the live songs on Disc 3, I feel we should have been offered the studio versions of "Gimme Back My Bullets", "Searchin", "Simple Man", and "Whiskey Rock-A-Roller" as well. "Simple Man" in particular is one of Skynyrd's all-time classics and no career retrospective box set should be without the original studio version of this song. Still, there are some great moments in the live songs included here too - who doesn't enjoy it when Ronnie tells the crowd he's gonna "sik an Okie" on them in the intro to "T For Texas"?
If you've ever been a fan of southern rock in general or Lynyrd Skynyrd in particular, you need this box set in your collection. I've had it for 10 years now and continue to derive a great deal of enjoyment from it - I'm quite confident you will too.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Twenty
Twenty
The latter day version of Skynyrd sometimes takes a lot of flack, but I think they have put out some of the best music of the band's long career. "Twenty" is one of the best examples of this in my opinion. This is prime southern rock and for me ranks up with the best material the band have done. The addition of former Outlaw Hughie Tomlinson to the lineup seems to have really added a spark to this album. The guitar interplay between Tomlinson and former Blackfoot leader Rickey Medlocke is often inspired and rocking. The songwriting is all strong here and the band amp it up over the course of the album's 12 tracks. I really like every song on the disc. As an added bonus the album features "Travelin Man" as a duet with the late Ronnie and Johnny Van Zandt sharing vocals. If you have never given the reformed Skynyrd a chance you might want to give this album a spin. Regardless of how you think about whether this is the "real" Skynyrd or not, this is a damn fine southern rock album and may be the best of the band's career.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Nuthin' Fancy
Nuthin' Fancy
Skynyrd did something very early on in their career that very few bands do. They released an AMAZING first album, and then followed it with a just as equally AMAZING second album (Pronounced, and Second Helping respectively.) With these two records the southern Skynyrd boys could have called it quits and still went down as legends, but fortunately MCA demanded more records.
Skynyrds third album NUTHIN FANCY, is not the absolute triumph that the first two albums were (perhaps the band recognized this when giving it the title?) but it ain't no waste of resource either.
It was 1975, and rock music was generally getting to be louder and louder all around. Hard rock bands were taking ques from the metal pioneers and cranking up the sound. This can easily be noticed on the opening track SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL and the albums first single ON THE HUNT. These songs lose a little of the heart felt personalities of the first records but are both completely pisser, and kept the band well seated at the front of the seventies Hard Rock board.
The rest of the album takes on a more down home southern style, than even the first two. Closer to an Allman Brothers feel than a Skynyrd feel, but again, this is not a bad thing. The bluesy ballad CHEATIN WOMAN is memorable, as is the moving, tonky, WHISKEY- ROCK-A-ROLLER. Other goods on this plate as well.
Some may say that this is nothing but an album of filler SKYNYRD stuff, but I can't agree with that. This is great stuff, just not as legendary as what preceeded it. Its classic rock music, from a classic rock band, its just that it prides itself in bein' NUTHIN FANCY.
Skynyrds third album NUTHIN FANCY, is not the absolute triumph that the first two albums were (perhaps the band recognized this when giving it the title?) but it ain't no waste of resource either.
It was 1975, and rock music was generally getting to be louder and louder all around. Hard rock bands were taking ques from the metal pioneers and cranking up the sound. This can easily be noticed on the opening track SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL and the albums first single ON THE HUNT. These songs lose a little of the heart felt personalities of the first records but are both completely pisser, and kept the band well seated at the front of the seventies Hard Rock board.
The rest of the album takes on a more down home southern style, than even the first two. Closer to an Allman Brothers feel than a Skynyrd feel, but again, this is not a bad thing. The bluesy ballad CHEATIN WOMAN is memorable, as is the moving, tonky, WHISKEY- ROCK-A-ROLLER. Other goods on this plate as well.
Some may say that this is nothing but an album of filler SKYNYRD stuff, but I can't agree with that. This is great stuff, just not as legendary as what preceeded it. Its classic rock music, from a classic rock band, its just that it prides itself in bein' NUTHIN FANCY.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Turn it Up
Turn It Up
This is a "greatest hits" album cd of the "modern version" of Lynyrd Skynyrd. It consists of 12 great songs, taken from their studio album cds from the 1990's. The songs are "Born to Run" (Their song not Bruce's song - Skynyrd's song is better), "One thing", "The Last Rebel", "Devil in the Bottle", "Edge of Forever", "Money Back Guarantee", 'FLA", "Smokestack Linghing", "I've seen enough", Travelin Man (with the late Ronnie Van Zant singing along), "Never too Late" and O.R.R. (Outlaws, Renegades, & Rebels). This is a great cd and a "must-have" for any Skynyrd fan!!! Thanks and may God Bless!!!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-One more from the road
One more from the road
One More From The Road could be up there with the great live rock albums. It's the only live document of the original (pre-plane crash) Lynyrd Skynyrd band and the only one you'd need. The band is on fire for this July 1976 performance. They run through the best known songs from their first four albums (Gimme Three Steps, Tuesday's Gone, Simple Man, Sweet Home Alabama, Saturday Night Special, Gimme Back My Bullets, Workin' For MCA, etc). The performances leave nothing to be desired. The highlight of this collection, for me at least, is the awesome version of T For Texas. If you think Free Bird rocks, check out the guitar interplay on this song. Wow! The version of Free Bird is very good also, but supposedly contains a guitar part overdubbed by Allen Collins. I usually frown on tampering with live material like that. I'd rather hear the original undoctored performance. I was less impressed with the cover of Crossroads, which is basically a remake of Cream's version. The guitarists seem to be trying too hard to recreate Eric Clapton's solo, but they do an admirable job.
This is a great album which any hard rock fan should own and anyone with even a passing interest in Lynyrd Skynyrd too. The newer Deluxe Edition would be the best choice to buy.
This is a great album which any hard rock fan should own and anyone with even a passing interest in Lynyrd Skynyrd too. The newer Deluxe Edition would be the best choice to buy.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Complete Muscle Shoals
Complete Muscle Shoals
I can see why you might be thinking "but I have almost all of those songs!"
But you don't. Well, yes, you probably do have "Free Bird" and "I Ain't The One" and "Gimme Three Steps" and most of the others, but these aren't the versions found on "Pronounced 'l'eh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd", "Second Helping" and so on. This album is (mostly) identical to Lynyrd Skynyrd's uinissued pre-MCA Muscle Shoals album, and this lean, piano-driven (and previously unreleased) "Free Bird" is significantly different from the later one. "I Ain't The One" and "Gimme Three Steps" sound much more basic and simple in these three-chord gararge rock renditions, and much more raw as well, especially "Steps". And these powerful, riff-driven, and somewhat slower 1972 versions of "Trust" and "Things Goin' On" almost eclipse the ones which was later released on "Gimme Back My Bullets" and "Pronounced" respectively. Bare-bones garage rock at its finest, just some amazing vocals, a series of gritty riffs and solos, and plenty of room for the backbeat of drummer Bob Burns to breathe.
Some of these songs have appeared as bonus tracks on the relatively recent (late-90s) reissues of Skynyrd's MCA albums, although not necessarily in identical versions. One of the album's best songs, "Was I Right Or Wrong", for instance, is also on the remastered 1997 edition of "Second Helping", but this version is superior, one of the true gems of Skynyrd's catalogue. A wonderful original take on "Down South Jukin'" is here as well, simpler and more organic than the bonus track on the remastered "Pronounced", but just as great. And the soulful country-rock of "Comin' Home" is finally available elsewhere than on the 1991 "Essential" compilation.
The sound here is leaner and less dense (and the playing is perhaps slightly less accomplished) than on the "real" Skynyrd albums, but that doesn't make these songs lesser, just different. There are several tremendous guitar solos and wonderful instrumental interplays here. And Ronnie van Zant is terrific, versatile and expressive.
A few songs don't really sound particularly Skynyrd-like, including three songs penned and sung by then-drummer Rickey Medlocke (the ballads "White Dove" and "Ain't Too Proud To Pray", and the semi-acoustic country rock of "The Seasons"), the slightly stereotypical early-70s hard rock of "You Run Around", and the riff-rocker "Wino", which is an obvious Cream-knockoff. But if Lynyrd Skynyrd weren't yet so indelibly "southern" back in 1971, they were really no less great.
There are a few lesser numbers here, sure, but song for song this is some of the strongest material on any Lynyrd Skynyrd release, and you're really getting your money's worth here, with 17 songs and about 78 minutes of music on the little silver disc.
A find for any and all Skynyrd fans!
But you don't. Well, yes, you probably do have "Free Bird" and "I Ain't The One" and "Gimme Three Steps" and most of the others, but these aren't the versions found on "Pronounced 'l'eh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd", "Second Helping" and so on. This album is (mostly) identical to Lynyrd Skynyrd's uinissued pre-MCA Muscle Shoals album, and this lean, piano-driven (and previously unreleased) "Free Bird" is significantly different from the later one. "I Ain't The One" and "Gimme Three Steps" sound much more basic and simple in these three-chord gararge rock renditions, and much more raw as well, especially "Steps". And these powerful, riff-driven, and somewhat slower 1972 versions of "Trust" and "Things Goin' On" almost eclipse the ones which was later released on "Gimme Back My Bullets" and "Pronounced" respectively. Bare-bones garage rock at its finest, just some amazing vocals, a series of gritty riffs and solos, and plenty of room for the backbeat of drummer Bob Burns to breathe.
Some of these songs have appeared as bonus tracks on the relatively recent (late-90s) reissues of Skynyrd's MCA albums, although not necessarily in identical versions. One of the album's best songs, "Was I Right Or Wrong", for instance, is also on the remastered 1997 edition of "Second Helping", but this version is superior, one of the true gems of Skynyrd's catalogue. A wonderful original take on "Down South Jukin'" is here as well, simpler and more organic than the bonus track on the remastered "Pronounced", but just as great. And the soulful country-rock of "Comin' Home" is finally available elsewhere than on the 1991 "Essential" compilation.
The sound here is leaner and less dense (and the playing is perhaps slightly less accomplished) than on the "real" Skynyrd albums, but that doesn't make these songs lesser, just different. There are several tremendous guitar solos and wonderful instrumental interplays here. And Ronnie van Zant is terrific, versatile and expressive.
A few songs don't really sound particularly Skynyrd-like, including three songs penned and sung by then-drummer Rickey Medlocke (the ballads "White Dove" and "Ain't Too Proud To Pray", and the semi-acoustic country rock of "The Seasons"), the slightly stereotypical early-70s hard rock of "You Run Around", and the riff-rocker "Wino", which is an obvious Cream-knockoff. But if Lynyrd Skynyrd weren't yet so indelibly "southern" back in 1971, they were really no less great.
There are a few lesser numbers here, sure, but song for song this is some of the strongest material on any Lynyrd Skynyrd release, and you're really getting your money's worth here, with 17 songs and about 78 minutes of music on the little silver disc.
A find for any and all Skynyrd fans!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd- Second Helping
Second Helping
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