| CD REVIEW Lynyrd Skynyrd |
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Band : Lynyrd Skynyrd Before we start off with the review of this here DVD, let me inform you that there’s already a 2007 DVD by the same title as this one. Not having viewed said recordings, I have no idea whàt is on there! What makes THIS DVD particularly interesting, is that it’s part of a series of recordings done originally for German television station WDR’s Rock program Rockpalast. Although airing of Rockpalast only started in January of 1976, the people working behind the scenes believed so much in their stuff, that they had been recording stuff a couple of years ahead of airing. Once airing had started it quickly grew out to an incredible event across Europe, as twice a year (March/ April and October) it was aired live throughout Europe through the Eurovision network (with up to 14 countries participating) and simultaneously transmitted in stereo mode on the radio (television in those days was still mainly a mono thing, you know!). The events, staged at Essen’s Gruhahalle thus reached a huge audience throughout Europe (in fact, for the bands participating it was often considered like doin’ a complete European tour all at once). 1981 saw the addition of a yearly open-air event, also aired live, also sent out through Eurovision and radio, and taking place at the beautiful scenic spot of the mythical Loreley rock, on top of which is an amphitheatre whence the concerts were held. Besides these very special events, Rockpalast also recorded numerous club concerts, which were aired on WDR twice a week! Starting in 1990, Rockpalast becamme a partner of some of Germany’s big festivals, like Bizarre Festival and Rock Am Ring! But enough about the background, let’s return to the Lynyrd Skynyrd footage, which mainly consists of the recording of the band’s complete set at the aforementioned Loreley Festivalof1996 (and from the footage you can séé that this spot is indeed a very beautiful one). As many of you will know, this is the second reincarnation of the band, with survivors of the October 20, 1997 airplane crash uniting with new members…originally as a tribute to the original line-up, then goin’ out on their own (much to the dismay of the widows of original members Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, as a agreement was made after the crash to never use the Lynyrd Skynyrd name again for commercial purposes. Eventually a deal was struck with the widows that they were to get 30% of all touring gains…on the condition that two members of the original line-up be in the band!). Since reforming the line-up had gone through a couple of changes, but performing on June 23, 1996 were original members Gary Rossington (guitar), Billy Powell (keyboards), and Leon Wilkeson (bass), “assisted” by Johnny Van Zant (brother of the original singer), Rickey Medlocke (guitar & backing vocals – could be construed as another “original” member, since once on a blue moon he wàs in the band in the capacity of drummer…leaving to found his own Blackfoot), Hughie Thomasson (guitar), Owen Hale (drums), and backing singers Carol Chase and Dale Krantz-Rossington. Surprisingly, although the reformed band had already two new studio recordings under their belt, the live set sees songs from the original line-up being played, with a concentration of the material on the first two albums (1973’s self-titled debut and Second Helping of 1974) and their epitaph (1977’s Street Survivors, issued 3 days before the plane crash). Not surprisingly, the set included all of the band’s hit songs, and the expected extended version of “Free Bird” as set closer! Complete track-list (in order of appearance: “Working For MCA”, “I Ain’t The One”, “Down South Junkin’” (never on any of the official albums, but a demo version of the song appeared on the expanded 2001 re-issue of the debut album), “Double Trouble”, “I Know A Little”, “Saturday Night Special”, “Swamp Music”, “What’s Your Name”, “That Smell”, “Simple Man” (followed by a small drum solo), “Gimme Three Steps”, “Call Me The Breeze” (during which you not only get a piano solo by Powell, but also guitar solos by Hughie and Rickey), “Sweet Home Alabama”, and “Free Bird”. Footage totalling one hour and 33 minutes of a band which obviously has fun bringing these now anthemic songs. I’m not too fond of Van Zant’s (that Johnny, of course) somewhat hoarse vocal rendition (Ronnie’s voice was quite smoother), but then what can you do? The ones having the most fun on stage, were definitely the duelling guitarists and the backing singers, although footage shown from Powell shows him having the time of his life as well! The audience apparently couldn’t have cared less whether this line-up played even móre songs from the original band, singing along with each and every song! As a bonus…wait, turn back the clock to December 5, 1974 first! The venue: Hamburg’s Musikhalle, where Queen was to headline with Lynyrd Skynyrd as support. On a tip of The Who (in support of whom Lynyrd Skynyrd had been touring in the US) manager Bill Curbishley, the people which would later start the Rockpalast program decide to record the support band in stead of the headliner…a costy affair altogether, because in those days they were still recording with 16mm cameras. Regretfully, from that footage now only remain the three classic pieces “Working For MCA”, “Free Bird” (already then extended to a lengthy piece with each guitarist giving away a solo performance), and “Sweet Home Alabama”…but these have been added as bonusses to this DVD, extending the footage for another 24 minutes (or almost)! “Something to have, or not?,” must be the thought goin’ through the minds of many music lovers when considering the possible purchase of this DVD. Frankly, that’s a decision I cannot help with. I can only confirm that even the 1974 footage is of decent quality. Of course, if you were actually at either one of these events, the DVD becomes a collectable mementum indeed! Remember, I don’t rate DVD’s! Tony. |