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LYNYRD SKYNYRD:(pronounced 'leh-'nerd 'skin-'nerd) ALBUM REVIEW
1. I Ain’t The One…This is medium paced song to start off. I don’t think this is the best Skynyrd song, but the awesome guitar playing in this song is just a sign of great things to come. I like the piano playing as well…7/10
2. Tuesday’s Gone…What a classic. This song was played at the beginning and end of “Happy Gilmore”. Ronnie Van Zant’s vocals are out of this world. The piano solo is just incredible and shows how well a piano can fit rock music. As a kid, I never realized that Tuesday is a woman…9/10
3. Gimme Three Steps…Great honky-tonk song. The guitar playing and bass playing are phenomenal on this song. I also love the story that this song tells. From what I understand, it is based on a true experience for a couple of the guys. There is also something that sounds like bongos being played…9/10
4. Simple Man…One of my all-time favorite Skynyrd songs. I love how gentle the song is on the verses and how the playing is much harder during the choruses. Ronnie does an outstanding job on the vocals for this song, and how can you not love the guitar on this song?...10/10
5. Things Goin’ On…Another very honky-tonk sounding song, probably because of the piano. Not one of my favorites song-wise, but I do like the lyrics and a very well-played guitar solo…7/10
6. Mississippi Kid…This sounds a lot like a Charlie Daniels song “Uneasy Rider”. I think it’s the guitar that makes me think of that song. Nice harmonica, but I don’t hear any drums. I’m not very big on this blues song…6/10
7. Poison Whiskey…Wow, these guys can really play the guitar. This is not a well known song, but it has all the great parts (piano, organ, rhythm guitar, and of course, lead guitar). Once again, Ronnie’s vocals are top notch…8/10
8. Free Bird…Does anyone not recognize the keyboard intro to this song when they hear it? Then when the guitars kick in, this is an absolutely great song. It has one of the most beautiful melodies I’ve ever heard. I can’t even describe how good the guitar solo is that closes the song. I just don’t think I’ve ever heard anything better…10/10
Can you believe this was just Skynyrd’s first album? The cd reissue that I have has 5 additional tracks. They are:
Mr. Banker (demo)
Down South Jukin’ (demo)
Tuesday’s Gone (demo)
Gimme Three Steps (demo)
Free Bird (demo)
“Mr. Banker” is a total blues song. I’m guessing that’s a slide guitar that somebody is playing the hell out of. In my opinion, the jewel of the extra tracks is “Down South Jukin’”. I think it was eventually recorded and released on a later album. The background vocals are missing from this demo. It is a fantastic song that I wish was on this album. It would have only made a great album even greater. The other 3 tracks are just fun to listen to. As good as this album is, I think it’s Skynyrd’s second best, the best being “Street Survivors”. However, it does contain what I think may be the greatest rock song ever written in “Free Bird”. I do think it’s the best rock ballad ever written, just barely edging out Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven”. That gives me a great idea for a new forum post.
2. Tuesday’s Gone…What a classic. This song was played at the beginning and end of “Happy Gilmore”. Ronnie Van Zant’s vocals are out of this world. The piano solo is just incredible and shows how well a piano can fit rock music. As a kid, I never realized that Tuesday is a woman…9/10
3. Gimme Three Steps…Great honky-tonk song. The guitar playing and bass playing are phenomenal on this song. I also love the story that this song tells. From what I understand, it is based on a true experience for a couple of the guys. There is also something that sounds like bongos being played…9/10
4. Simple Man…One of my all-time favorite Skynyrd songs. I love how gentle the song is on the verses and how the playing is much harder during the choruses. Ronnie does an outstanding job on the vocals for this song, and how can you not love the guitar on this song?...10/10
5. Things Goin’ On…Another very honky-tonk sounding song, probably because of the piano. Not one of my favorites song-wise, but I do like the lyrics and a very well-played guitar solo…7/10
6. Mississippi Kid…This sounds a lot like a Charlie Daniels song “Uneasy Rider”. I think it’s the guitar that makes me think of that song. Nice harmonica, but I don’t hear any drums. I’m not very big on this blues song…6/10
7. Poison Whiskey…Wow, these guys can really play the guitar. This is not a well known song, but it has all the great parts (piano, organ, rhythm guitar, and of course, lead guitar). Once again, Ronnie’s vocals are top notch…8/10
8. Free Bird…Does anyone not recognize the keyboard intro to this song when they hear it? Then when the guitars kick in, this is an absolutely great song. It has one of the most beautiful melodies I’ve ever heard. I can’t even describe how good the guitar solo is that closes the song. I just don’t think I’ve ever heard anything better…10/10
Can you believe this was just Skynyrd’s first album? The cd reissue that I have has 5 additional tracks. They are:
Mr. Banker (demo)
Down South Jukin’ (demo)
Tuesday’s Gone (demo)
Gimme Three Steps (demo)
Free Bird (demo)
“Mr. Banker” is a total blues song. I’m guessing that’s a slide guitar that somebody is playing the hell out of. In my opinion, the jewel of the extra tracks is “Down South Jukin’”. I think it was eventually recorded and released on a later album. The background vocals are missing from this demo. It is a fantastic song that I wish was on this album. It would have only made a great album even greater. The other 3 tracks are just fun to listen to. As good as this album is, I think it’s Skynyrd’s second best, the best being “Street Survivors”. However, it does contain what I think may be the greatest rock song ever written in “Free Bird”. I do think it’s the best rock ballad ever written, just barely edging out Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven”. That gives me a great idea for a new forum post.
Tags: album review, free bird, lynyrd skynyrd, pronounced, ronnie van zant
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Wayne LaFoy on -
Skynyrd's debut album is one of the greatest in rock history along with the Beatles, the Stones, the Doors, Zeppelin, Sabbath, Aerosmith & Van Halen. It defines them as this ballsy, blistering, southern fried, kick butt band, with the late, great Ronnie Van Zant on vocals. Gary Rossington, Allen Collins & Ed King are great guitarists in their own right. I remember how big Lynyrd Skynyrd was, back in the 70's & they are above all the other southern rock groups. I Ain't The One is an underrated classic that's overshadowed by Gimme Three Steps & Freebird.
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Permalink Reply by RJhog on -
Wayne, I think you are right on the money about "I Ain't The One". When I originally did this review, I gave it a seven, but that's way to low (I'm still working on consistency in my song grading). I have listened to this several times recently and have added it to my Skynyrd Mix playlist for my iPod. It's more like a nine than a seven.
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