The main feature in this three-disc set has the southern rock legends playing at the Loreley Festival in June 1996, with Johnny Van Zant singing in place of his late brother Ronnie. The bonus content comprises three tracks recorded at Hamburg’s Musikhalle in December 1974, with Ronnie leading the definitive seven-man line-up that cut the classic Second Helping album.
The Loreley show is amazing for how good this band sounded without so many of the guys that created that sound – something that’s still true of Skynyrd today. Three veterans of the ’74 line-up were still present: guitarist Gary Rossington, bassist Leon Wilkeson and keyboard tinkler Billy Powell. Also on guitar is one-time Skynyrd drummer and ex-Blackfoot mainman Rickey Medlocke.
Most impressive of all is the way Johnny sings those old songs (and they are all old songs) in the same soulful southern style that his big brother had.
The material from ’74 is even better. Three definitive songs – Workin’ For MCA, Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama – are all laid down with the cool authority of a band at their peak. It’s best enjoyed on the DVD, with pint-sized Ronnie exuding the air of a man not to be fucked with./o:p
