Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More for the Fans.jpg)
Loud and Proud Records
www.loudandproudrecords.com
Rating: A+
Tribute albums are a dime a dozen. Usually, an artist sits in his home studio, slaps his part down and sends the file, electronically, to a record company, who melds together an album and then sells it to the band's biggest fans. It has been done to death, to the point that 'who cares' seems to be the usual way these releases are met by the general public. That is... until now!
"Holy Sh*t" and "Hell Yeah" are words enough to describe the excellence that Loud and Proud Records performed on this tribute to one of the best rock and roll bands to come out of the good old US of A: Lynyrd Skynyrd.
This is NOT your mother's tribute record... nope, this one is something special. This one raises the bar to such a height that no one will be able to reach it, let alone top it. This is, hands down, the BEST tribute to a band that this writer has ever seen, or heard. It's done in a unique way, presented in stunning visual glory and contains audio so damn fine that you will swear you're sitting smack dab in the middle of Row number 10... seats
12 and 13. Of course there's a cup holder; this is Skynyrd.
One More for the Fans has it all... the DVD is professionally shot, the sounds are mixed wonderfully and, most importantly, the bands that perform the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd do so with the perfect mixture of reverence and rock and roll. This is, in actuality, not so much a tribute to the band, but rather a celebration of the band, for the band... and the last three songs, includes the band !
Loud and Proud Records and Lynyrd Skynyrd had a vision. They worked hard and assembled the perfect crossover mix of rock icons, blues players and country artists to make it come to life. The results are better than hot buttered grits on a cold Sweet Home Alabama winter’s night!
Lynyrd Skynyrd helped invent the genre of Southern Rock. On this night in November of 2014, they gathered at the historic Fox Theater (the same venue Skynyrd's classic One More From The Road was recorded) and created something special. I don't wanna give it all away, but the live version of "Traveling Man" with current Skynyrd vocalist Johnny Van Zant performing a duet with his brother Ronnie is both emotional and awe inspiring. What can we say about the set list? It is damn good. How's that? Hell, just read below to see who did what and I promise you will be impressed.
Classic Rock fans will be most interested in "Gimme Back My Bullets" by Cheap Trick, "Call Me the Breeze" by Peter Frampton, "Tuesday's Gone" by Gregg Allman, "Simple Man" by Gov't Mule and "That Smell" by Warren Haynes. All of these tunes are amazing. Cheap Trick makes “Gimme Back My Bullets” sound like a Cheap Trick song, while Gov't Mule does such a strong "Simple Man" that you, for a brief second, even forget it's not Skynyrd--well, maybe not, but close. Gregg Allman's version of "Tuesday's Gone" is simply breathtaking.
As good as these classic rockers are there is much more than just big names here. John Hiatt owns "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," while bluesman Robert Randolph shows his mad slide guitar skills on "You Got That Right."
From the 'yee-haw' side of the aisle we get Trace Adkin's kicking maximum-southern-butt on "What's Your Name," and the almightily Charlie Daniels, along with Donnie Van Zant, putting on the boogie with "Down South Jukin'." Alabama puts their spin on "Gimme Three Steps" and country rockers Blackberry Smoke thrill the crowd with their rendition of "Working for the MCA."
When the entire cast of characters joins Skynyrd on stage for the grand finale, "Sweet Home Alabama," the emotion in the air is thick. The coming together of the band, with the artists there to pay homage to them, brings the spirit of this concert front and center and it is something to behold.
Hell, I didn't even mention Skynyrd's performance of the most famous Southern Rock song of all time, "Free Bird." This review could go on forever, but instead of continuing to write I am going to put on One More for the Fans and rock out again!
Hats off to all involved, as this performance proves that the heart and soul of rock and roll is alive and well, and being served up loud and proud by every artist who took the stage on this unforgettable night.
To say this is a 'must-own' is an understatement.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – One More For The Fans Track Listing:
Whiskey Rock A Roller – performed by Randy Houser
You Got That Right – performed by Robert Randolph & Jimmy Hall
Saturday Night Special – performed by Aaron Lewis
Workin’ For MCA – performed by Blackberry Smoke
Don’t Ask Me No Questions – performed by O.A.R.
Gimme Back My Bullets – performed by Cheap Trick
The Ballad of Curtis Loew – performed by moe. & John Hiatt
Simple Man – performed by Gov’t Mule
That Smell – performed by Warren Haynes
Four Walls of Raiford – performed by Jamey Johnson
I Know A Little – performed by Jason Isbell
Call Me The Breeze – performed by Peter Frampton
What’s Your Name – performed by Trace Adkins
Down South Jukin’ – performed by Charlie Daniels & Donnie Van Zant
Gimme Three Steps – performed by Alabama
Tuesday’s Gone – performed by Gregg Allman
Travelin’ Man – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd With Johnny and Ronnie – Ronnie on big screen
Free Bird – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd and the entire line-up
By Jeb Wright
