Album review: LYNYRD SKYNYRD – Sweet Home Alabama (Live, 1974, 1996)

LYNYRD SKYNYRD - Sweet Home Alabama

Eagle Rock [Release date 01.06.15] 2-CD + DVD

One of my abiding gig-going memories is seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd on the cusp of wider UK recognition, playing Liverpool Empire in November 1974. It was the classic line-up three years before tragedy struck, and – not being familiar with their set-piece ‘Freebird’ – it was something of a revelation.

During that period, the same band played Hamburg Musikhalle (in December 1974) and three tracks are featured by way of padding out this three disc release.

The main gig here, though, is much later – Loreley Festival, Germany in 1996 – recorded for the Rockpalast TV show. This was an early outing for present guitarist Rickey Medlocke who at the time had not long rejoined the band. Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws) completed the usual three guitarist assault with the other original member Gary Rossington. Other originals were Leon Wilkeson on bass and Billy Powell (keyboards).

The set list is also familiar, pretty much a well-trodden greatest hits with heavy dependence on their first two, definitive, albums. Of course, you probably won’t really beat the original live album ‘One More From The Road’ with the classic band at the peak of their powers – but this is a good-sounding recording and a band still on form.

The bonus third disc here is a DVD of the original TV concerts, although understandably the 1974 gig is a bit rough visually if not aurally. However it makes a change from the Old Grey Whistle Test footage in 1975 that is invariably rolled out to commemorate ‘Freebird’ or “guitar rock”.

The lack of a decent liner note detracts from an otherwise excellent package and, yes, that triple guitar denouement still sounds sweet, twenty or forty years on. ****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

Gig review (April 2015)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)