Audio CD review:
Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd [2-CD SET]

Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd [2-CD SET]

Band: Lynyrd Skynyrd Title: The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd [2-CD SET] Rating: Release Date: 25 August, 1998 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Sweet Home Alabama 2: I Ain't The One 3: Was I Right Or Wrong 4: Gimme Three Steps 5: Workin' for MCA 6: Simple Man 7: Swamp Music 8: The Ballad Of Curtis Loew 9: Saturday Night Special 10: Mr. Banker 11: Comin' Home 12: Call Me The Breeze 13: Free Bird 14: What's Your Name 15: Whiskey Rock-A-Roller (Live) 16: Tuesday's Gone 17: Double Trouble 18: I Know A Little 19: Four Walls Of Raiford 20: I Never Dreamed 21: Gimme Back My Bullets (Live) 22: You Got That Right 23: All I Can Do Is Write About It (Acoustic Version) 24: That Smell 25: Free Bird (Live)

Editoral Review Fiercely defensive of their Southern heritage, Ronnie Van Zant and company reflexively lashed out when they thought they'd been slurred. The members of Lynyrd Skynyrd played by their own set of rules. Hence "Sweet Home Alabama," their retort to Neil Young's shame-on-Dixie "Alabama. " (Young loved Skynyrd's screed, even though it lambasted him by name. ) On the other hand, "Saturday Night Special" took on handguns; it's hard to imagine a contemporary band with a redneck-rock following taking a similar pro-gun-control stand. This two-disc overview presents a band with a broader agenda than one might imagine. Yes, this is state-of-the-'70s electric boogie, but it's three-guitar-strong rock with genuine subject matter. Fans will already have the likes of "Free Bird" (here presented in studio and concert settings) and "I Know a Little," but baubles such as the previously unreleased "Comin' Home" and the rare B-side "Mr. Banker" add to this collection's appeal, as does the lengthy liner essay. --Steven Stolder .. You can see a complete list of all Lynyrd Skynyrd discography, or go back to the Lynyrd Skynyrd tabs