Gregg Allman has been quoted as saying that "Southern rock was more of an era than a sound." He has also said, “Rock n' roll was pretty much born in The South - so was the blues, or at least a certain kind of blues. So saying 'Southern rock' is like saying 'rock rock. '”
I am amazed that out of all of the comments so far, no one has mentioned Lynyrd Skynyrd's other signature song called Sweet Home Alabama. Having lived in the great state of Alabama, you would not believe how many times I have heard this song, which is still played on radio stations in the south today! It really should be your next pick from this exceptional southern band!
The real strength of the guitar solo is the great work of the drummer and the bass player that cover the guitarist’s back. The drummer is raw and energetic as he have to be
I was raised with the song it's so amazing to watch people who have never heard it before I've heard this song for 45 years and it never gets old some of the best music ever in southern rock history
The guitar is called the slide guitar it's a way of fingering the notes with a piece of metal and sliding up the strings if you react to the live version you'll see how they do it also they added a piano player to the group after this initial recording you won't believe how good he is Billy Powell
Gary used a small glass tube to slide his strings just like Dewayne Altman did. Billy was a Skynard roadie who had classic teachings on the ivory, and was discovered by accident when they were recording in Muscle Shoals
Yes three guitars. And they're not just self-indulgently shredding. The melody and lyricism and harmony and counterpoint among the guitars remains. That and the songwriting ability of their leader is what made them great. Al Kooper said they were the best composers in rock.
It's BRILLIANT 🔥❗I actually watched one young Reactor a few weeks ago , that started CRYING during that Guitar masterpiece. Lex is her name. Her husband asked " Why are you crying? .... because it's so beautiful ?" It kinda gave me goosebumps.
Yes indeed, legend has it that creative differences in the band were often resolved by fist fights and that Ronnie usually won. Don't know if that's true or not but it fits the band's image.
@@ronaldsellers3717 Ed King said in an interview that the band had very few creative disputes or jealousy over who would play what. Likely Ronnie's personality played a role. King did say that alcohol and drugs led to a lot of fistfights and violence though.
That's an excellent comment Jay. Thank goodness that Al Kooper paid a visit to Funochio's in Atlanta back in 1972 and discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd. Al's a cool dude.
React to the live version of Freebird in the Oakland Coliseum 1977 the band is great the audience is even better the whole thing is a masterpiece and one of the last few appearances before the plane crash
I love reactions to this song even though I’ve heard it a MILLION times, because it’s amazing how early people are like “holy crap this slays.” Once you’ve heard it all you kind of focus on the jam and guitar craziness at the end, and forget how great it was even before then. You were calling it out even before the first crescendo lol. Little did you know!
My favorite live version of this is from Knebworth, a 3 day festival in England in 1976. The Rolling Stones were promoting their new album called Hot Licks so they have a catwalk added to the stage in the shape of a tongue. All the other bands were told to stay off the catwalk, that it was for the Stones only. Well, Lynyrd Skynyrd preceded the Stones and when the solo started, Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer had his guitarists all go out on the catwalk. They then got the crowd into a frenzy. Mick was so angry about the catwalk and knowing he couldn't compete with LS' energy, the Stones refused to come out for hours till the crowd settled down. It's great watching each member of the guitar army in action. That first guitar you mentioned was a slide guitar and you'll see the plastic tube worn on the fingers to drag out those notes. A must see live! Great reaction!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fuZyMx2NXZM.html
On their live album, they teased the audience with this song until finally, the vocalist asked "What song is it you want to hear?" The crowd erupted "Freebird!" For years afterward, any rock concert you went to, when any band went offstage for the encore. someone in the crowd would shout "Freebird!"
That's not why people yell "Freebird" at a concert. It's a heckle to imply the band isn't talented enough to play it. Anyone who has ever yelled it has done so as a troll meant to make the band insecure.
Yes ❗ CRAZY GOOD🎵🎵🎵 Brilliant threading of 3 master GUITARISTS...🎸🎸🎸. I never tire of watching all these young REACTORS getting their minds blown.Makes me smile.
Skynyrd has three guitarists however the solo is only one guitarist. His name is Allen Collins and he performed this solo in one take and then they had him play over his own solo to make it sound fuller.
You seem to be one of the FEW people that understand that Allen played the solo alone. Some have said Ed was on the album. He was, but playing the bass as Leon left for awhile.
You should react to the live performance of them playing this in Knebworth while opening for the Rolling Stones. The Stones were no match from what I've read from people that were there. This band had so much talent and energy
Loved the reaction. When the last part of the lyrics displayed and I saw [outro] and [guitar solo], I thought those are the biggest understatements ever! He has no idea of the eargasm that is still left to come!
"Call Me The Breeze " by this tremendous band will make you want to get up and dance. I don't even care for dancing, but I make exceptions when I hear that song. 🥳😘💕
If you liked this. Try Green Grass and High Tides by the Outlaws. Then move on to the ultimate long rock song from King Gizzard the Lizard Wizard called The Dripping Tap. 18 minutes of utter joy. How the drummer alone keeps the intensity for this track without having to put his arms in slings after is beyond me. Absolutely phenomenal.
Southern Rock is always great drums, great keyboard, great vocals ... but at its heart ... it's the guitars, baby! Great reaction. You owe it to yourself to watch the Live version in Oakland. It will transform you back to the 70's and blow you away.
Great reaction! I grew up in Jacksonville, and I remember when they were just a local band. Supposedly, there is a version of this song that is 17 minutes long. Glad you appreciate this type of music.
Molly Hatchet "Flirting With Disaster" is tone of the all time best... album cover was painted, in a huge mural, on the library wall of my school in mid 80's. Classic.
I have always imagined this song as: Part 1 Breakup - The narrator is pretending to be sad and serious but in fact he just wants to get out while trying not to hurt the girl's feelings. Part 2 Holy crap finally it's over, let's party! - The narrator is walking away from the place of breakup while the feeling of being free is getting stronger
I am so impressed with your analysis and reaction Syed...you have definitely become my favorite one to watch I was lucky enough to see and hear Lynyrd Skynyrd in Hawaii January 77 before their plane crashed in October that year...one of the saddest days in rock-n-roll history...great band...great sound...kings of southern rock
They had two lead guitar players, sort of trying to "one-up' each other. This was such a greeat Band, until the airplane crash took some of them away. Lead singer and founder of the Band "Ronnie VanZandt," was the face of Lynard Skynard.
“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” (Kris Kristofferson) (Listen to Janis Joplin sing it in her version of Me And Bobby McGee) Ronni Van Zant here is telling his version of the same story. He has to give up what he loves to find what he needs. Loved your reaction. You certainly are a thoughtful, critical listener. Yes, there are three guitars. The sad one is the sound of “slide guitar. ” (Duane Allman was a master of the style.) You owe it to yourself to watch the concert footage from Oakland, CA, with this original lineup. If you want to know more about this band, there’s an excellent documentary on Netflix. Short version, they got so good by practicing A LOT.
It's so Great that you love this song. It's just as fresh today as it was when it came out. Try "Tuesday's Gone" next and then "Simple Man". Each one is different and Fantastic. Thanks for playing this, you really got it.
You have to be the most in depth, analytical musical detective I've ever seen. Each reaction is a lesson is understanding metaphors, an exercise in attention to detail and how to appreciate instruments and how they relate to lyrics, vocals and their profound affect on our senses. You are brilliant my man. Absolutely brilliant.
Must see Oakland Live Performance...Fantastic Performance, outdoor and the crowd. Takes you back to 1977, memories. Damn we had fun, and lived through it... Get a chance even just for yourself. Another Great Live performance. Grand Funk Railroad Song... inside Looking Out. 1969...Pure Funk, Rock, ....It's a Experience
FYI...Did Lynyrd Skynyrd play in England? Image result for What city in england did lynyrd skynyrd open for the who On August 21, 1976, Lynyrd Skynyrd gave a performance for the ages at the Knebworth festival in England. And we're not just talking a classic southern rock performance but one of the most memorable, charismatic yet exacting rock-and-roll shows, period. You can find it on RU-vid.
Syed, I love your reactions. Yes, that was 3 amazing guitarists. Also, the "cello sound" at the beginning was actually a slide guitar. As others have said, the live recording in Oakland is a "must listen." It is truly tragic that their career was cut short.
Great band so many great songs. If you really like free bird you need to hear Green Grass and High Tides from the Outlaws. I guarantee you will like it.
I hear the conflict too, lyrically: "Lord help me I can't change..." and musically when the guitar meanders at the beginning slow and easy like he is taking his time telling her gently, but then again the soaring freedom he moves into, part him moving into his nature, and part moving away fast from whatever bits were holding him. The music and simple lyrics convey so much, so well.
The studio version is great BUT…… You MUST watch the LIVE version in Oakland California 1977. It’s INCREDIBLE. The crowd, the improvisation, the Rebel flag. It has it all. WATCH IT.
Well, you caught me right off the bat with your intro into the video by your attitude of expectation and music exploration. After listening and watching you begin to break down this masterpiece, I subbed and liked. Looking so forward to enjoying more of your reactions. Dude, you MUST check out a live version of this song. Live versions can be disappointing from artists that cannot duplicate their studio performances, but these guys are the real deal. They go absolutely berserk live and even surpass this great studio version. Here's to more reaction magic!
Great react! Now for what I think is one of the greatest Rock & Roll songs of all time. "Call Me The Breeze" it has all the ingredients, great beat, sax, guitar and great keys. I'd love to see your reaction.
Great reaction! I'm really impressed with your perception of the song. I think the other Skynyrd fans have given you plenty of info. I just wanted to comment on what you said about being a hip hop fan from London listening to a southern rock band. One of their greatest influences and later good friends was the Rolling Stones! Keep on keeping on man
I live in Greer SC, 10 miles away from Greenville SC, where they played the night before the plane crash. I was there for their last show, and free bird was the last song that night. 10/19/1977.
There are a couple live outdoor concert versions (Oakland California, and London England.) Both will Blow you away, but I prefer the one in England, when they opened for The Rolling Stones. They weren't too pleased when Lynard Skynard was so good as the warmup Band, that there was almost no way the Stones, as great as they are, were going to be able to match that performance. Thanks
Good call on hearing three lead guitars on the jam part. It’s always fun to see younglings “discovering” these tunes I’ve been grooving on 45 years. Carry on.
That’s Allen Collins Gary Rossington and Ed King on guitar Ed later left the band due to the excess drinking and violence he was later replaced by Steve Gaines who tragically died in the plane crash
Oh, Just to let you know, any of the old Skynyrd albums are worth a listen, they were the greatest Southern Rock Band ever. They used the three lead guitarist like magic. Last note Steve Gaines was a great singer also and just before the crash on the last album Street Servitor Ronnie and Steve did a song called You Got That Right ang it showed just how good they were going to be if not for the plane crash.
You mentioned the drummer. His name is Artimus Pyle, he is still alive and currently on tour playing shows. He is a local boy here in Asheville NC I've seen him twice this year. :)
You just heard the one band that survived opening for The Who….and IMPRESSED Pete Townshend, who himself is generally notoriously hard to impress! And it was the live performance of FREEBIRD that did it.
I was very late to the Lynyrd Skynyrd band I remember the first time hearing free Bird it was the live version so a few months later I am at the Anaheim stadium watching Lynyrd Skynyrd live in 1976 I was really cool when I was young lol
A good follow up is The Outlaws - Green Grass and High Tides (live version at the Capitol Theater). And please don't forget The Marshall Tucker Band, they along with Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd were considered the three top southern rock bands back in the early 70's. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WEkJFR69IXw.html
I'm more into what is labeled "Classic Rock", but I also like some southern rock. Here's my top list: "Can't You See" by The Marshal Tucker Band(also: "Take The Highway", "Heard It In A Love Song"). Many and varied songs from the Allman Brothers Band (e.g. "Blue Sky", "Ramblin' Man", "Midnight RIder", "Melissa", "Dreams", "One Way Out", "Jessica", "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed", "Statesboro Blues"). "Highway Song" by Blackfoot. "Green Grass and High Tides" by The Outlaws. "Flirtin' with Disaster" by Molly Hatchet. Many other songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd (e.g. "Simple Man", "Tuesday's Gone", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Gimme Three Steps").
Growing up in the south I'd say this was a list of bands we felt spoke for us in no particular order, lynyrd skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Charlie Daniel's band,Hank Williams Jr, Tom Petty ,Janis Joplin ,I may have missed a few but if you look into these artist ,I think you'll get a great taste of the flavor of southern rock and blues . All of these are much more amazing to view in concert video form . Great story behind this song and a feed between the rolling stones at knebworth UK actually recorded live .
Yes, there were three guitars on the studio recording. Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Ed King. Later on, Ed King left the band. After a period of time he was replaced by Stevie Gaines.
This was first time seeing one of your reactions. Very impressed. I love how you did your research on the band. You have a new follower. Snd yes, check out the live version from 1977 in Oakland. This old bastard (me) will be making suggestions that many of your viewers may not have heard. I really appreciated your reaction.
I've never thought of Creedence Clearwater Revival as being Southern rock. They did have a swampy sound, but they were from the bay area of California. I just assumed to be Southern rock you had to be from the South XD
I am always struck at how closely this song follows the structure of STAIRWAY to HEAVEN in the build up AND Increasing tempo leading to an epic guitar solo(s).
Of course everyone recommended the live version from 77 in Oakland. The guitar solo in that version is awe inspiring! But, I highly recommend call me the breeze. It is as amazing as this in its own way.
don't forget Leon Wilkerson on bass guitar. his playing is phenomenal anyway as is every person in that band, but on this one it's a supporting element of the song like the bass guitar normally is along with the drums, but check out his cool bass lines and especially that slow build near the end. Artemis pile on the drums just keeps that rolling snare going with lots of symbol crashes and a driving Kick Drum and then Leon is just going absolutely nuts and as the double guitars doing those shredding arpeggios in harmony keep climbing up the register, interval by interval as the Rhythm Section builds up, his bass line also rises accordingly until the end he's playing really high up on the neck and just machine gun type rapid fingering and just pounding that bass. Lynyrd Skynyrd had several fantastic albums right up until the plane crash so there is a large catalog. not only the hits but so many songs on all those albums that are just fantastic and dearly beloved by Skynyrd fans. one that was another big hit that you would enjoy that has a different energy to it and is so beautiful is Tuesday's Gone.
If you are surprised by your enjoyment of "Southern Rock", just wait until you hear some "Texas Blues" ala Stevie Ray Vaughn. I'm not sure if your familiar with him or not, but he was something special. Maybe give his ANY of his live work a look. He was good in a studio, but he was something great Live...
