An All-Star Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
by: Various Artists
(New West)
No other band has been milked for all it’s worth more than Lynyrd Skynyrd. I’m not being cruel, just honest. The new All Star Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd is the latest album to capitalize on the legacy Ronnie Van Zant left behind following his death in 1977.
There are a few cool tunes here, along with some pretty weak filler material. Artimus Pyle, Ed King and JoJo Billingsley an Leslie Hawkins do a great cover of “Double Trouble,” and Charlie Daniels pairs up with Molly Hatchet for “Free Bird,” which works well as a tribute to the original.
Hughie Thomasson and The Outlaws take on “Sweet Home Alabama,” and “Seasons” from Rick Medlocke and Blackfoot is really good. Also, the Atlanta Rhythm Section does an admirable cover of “Call Me the Breeze.”
Skynyrd songs are played by Great White, Canned Heat, Walter Trout, Pat Travers (who blisters “Gimmie Back My Bullets”) Dangerous Toys, Black Oak Arkansas, Rick Derringer and Sky Saxon.
Like I said earlier, it’s all a matter of taste. Some of the tracks are excellent, while a few just plain miss the point. You be the judge.
-Michael Buffalo Smith