Audio CD review:
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour

Band: Lynyrd Skynyrd Title: Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour Rating: Release Date: 2004-06-22 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: That's How I Like It - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington, Gary 2: What's Your Name? - Lynyrd Skynyrd, VanZant, Ronnie 3: I Know a Little - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gaines, Steve 4: Pick 'Em Up - Lynyrd Skynyrd, VanZant, Johnny 5: Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington, Gary 6: That Smell - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collins, Allen 7: Red White and Blue - Lynyrd Skynyrd, VanZant, Johnny 8: Down South Jukin' - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington, Gary 9: Gimme Back My Bullets - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington, Gary 10: Double Trouble - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collins, Allen 11: The Ballad of Curtis Loew - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collins, Allen 12: Tuesday's Gone - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collins, Allen 13: Mississippi Kid - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Burns, Robert [2] 14: Workin' - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington, Gary 15: Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collins, Allen 16: Call Me the Breeze - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cale, J.J. 17: Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd, King, Ed 18: The Way - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington, Gary 19: Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collins, Allen

Okay, so there is no shortage of live Skynyrd out there, but this is still a really enjoyable album.... Only guitarist Gary Rossington and keyboardist Billy Powell are left from the original Skynyrd line-up, but you barely notice. Johnny van Zant's lyrics are a little more genuinely redneck, perhaps, than his late brother's more tounge-in-cheek approach, and he says "arse" a lot more, but otherwise Skynyrd sound pretty much like you'd expect. Lynyrd Skynyrd version 2. 003 sound almost exactly like the "real" Skynyrd did back in the 70s. . . thumping hard rock and rollicking boogie, big riffs and big hooks and a little bit o' country. A discreet horn section has been added to the mix, and it sounds really good, actually. Just listen to this terrific rendition of the classic "What's Your Name", all clanging piano and soulful riffing, and a smoking guitar solo. The band is really tight, but they never sound sterile; on the contrary, they sound as lively and joyous as ever. The three guitarists lay down gritty riffs with both precision and fervor, and trade off smouldering solos, and Billy Powell's piano is wonderfully prominent. And the set list is a nice mixture of classic songs from the Ronnie van Zant-era and a handful of the best songs from the then-current "Vicious Cycle"-album. Okay, "Red, White and Blue" is perhaps a bit too. . . something for a European like me, but almost everything else is just terrific. The many highlights include "Pick 'Em Up", a stellar "Simple Kind Of Man", the aforementioned "What's Your Name", and of course the irresistable "Gimme Three Steps", all swaggering Southern boogie and a great vocal by Johnny van Zant. Some listeners will probably feel a little grumpy about "Down South Jukin'", "Gimme Back My Bullets" and "Double Trouble" having been condensed into a five-minute medley. But they should be happy about the inclusion of relatively rarely-heard songs like "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" and the acoustic "Mississippi Kid". And "Sweet Home Alabama" is here as well, of course, as is "Free Bird". This is melodic, high-energy rock n' roll of the highest order. "Lyve" probably won't cause anyone to throw away their copy of "One More From The Road" or the "Freebird" soundtrack, but it's lnice to hear how good this latter-day incarnation of the band actually sounds. Great fidelity, excellent production, and some 4 1/2 stars. "Lyve" is not really a must-have album, considering the quality and quantity of live Skynyrd already out there, but it's just such great fun. A Correction I have to say that after hearing Van Zant, their new singer,whatever his name is, it really sounds like the group picked the fattest drunk loser in the crowd and said, you wanna sing songs and shoot up with us? I mean, this guy is worse than reality tv. Quoted from another reviewer: ------------------------------- Having not grown up in the 70's, I was able to be completely impartial and take a look at both singers. No tallent. What does this guy do for this group? Nothing. Dont buy this cd, or anything after Van Zant. The group should have died in that crash along with the man. Harsh, I know, but true. If your still looking for Skynard CD's I recommend Self Pronounced and Second Helping. After that if you still want some Down south Junking. . . Check out Creedence Clearwater Revival. ------------------------------- The singer is Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother, Johnnie Van Zant. This live album is an incredible one. It proves that Johnnie has done an incredible job filling in the shoes of his older brother. I am sure Ronni would be very proud of his brother, and I am also sure Ronnie himself would have chosen no one else to fill his shoes. Skynyrds as Good as ever I also have the DVD. I think this is a GREAT CD. Can't believe some people don't like Johnny. I think his brother Ronnie would be really proud of him. He sings great, even the old songs. As for not taking his singing seriously. He just has a good time with it. And Rickey Medlocke is AMAZING. I've been a Skynyrd fan for a lot of years. I think they are as Great now as they were before, if not better. . . lots of energy. Skynyrd is back Check out the Vicious Cycle and Last Rebel CD's as well. I have always been a Skynyrd fan the first band was right where my head was at back then and I still love to hear the old tunes but the new band is singing about what life is like now. This Live CD is mostly covers of Ron's tunes. Live Skynyrd Boy! I went backstage at their Pompano Beach, FL show. These boys have been doing this for many years and still have it. They had Maryland corn, Old Bay, jumbo lump, Thrasher's french fries- all Maryland style. Then the concert was unbelievable. Rebel flags everywhere, boy. Great music. Couple of fights broke out but it was all good. You can see a complete list of all Lynyrd Skynyrd discography, or go back to the Lynyrd Skynyrd tabs