Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The ultimate diehard rock band returns with a collection that at times recalls Skynyrd in their prime, but won't prompt anyone to forget the fabled, ill-fated lineup of yore. By now, three members remain from the classic '70s Skynyrd (guitarist Gary Rossington, keyboardist Billy Powell, and bassist Leon Wilkeson); vocalists Johnny Van Zant and Dale Krantz-Rossington certainly qualify as stalwarts, having been with the bunch since their 1987 reformation. Blackfoot alumni Ricky Medlocke and former Outlaw Hughie Thomasson round out the three-guitars-strong frontline, and hired-gun drummer Kenny Arnoff lays a rock-solid foundation, so LS '99 doesn't lack for instrumental muscle. The problem lies in the material. Fallen frontman Ronnie Van Zant wasn't exactly an artful lyricist, but his blunt statements had a way of landing like a solid uppercut. The descendants to Skynyrd warhorses such as "Saturday Night Special" and "Gimme Three Steps" found here, however, aren't going to knock anyone for a loop. You like guitars that travel in packs, Skynyrd's still a good bet. You like enduring rock songs, return to the source. --Steven Stolder
About the Artist
It's no wonder that American rock fans have embraced Lynyrd Skynyrd since their inception nearly 30 years ago. Their signature sound is a harmonious blend of guitar driven rock with southern blues roots evident throughout not only the melodies but their blue-collar lyrical topics. As the core line-up of Gary Rossington (guitars), Billy Powell (piano) and Leon Wilkeson (bass) along with frontman Johnny Van Zant who joined the band 12 years ago, has moved through the decades and through assorted other band members, Lynyrd Skynyrd's music has remained true to itself, never affected or changed to fit any one musical climate.
Nowhere is this more evident than on their new album, "Edge of Forever", on CMC International Records. Produced by Ron Nevison, "Edge Of Forever" continues the band's legacy of timeless American rock and roll. Go to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in 1999, and you will see parents and kids swaying in unison, confederate flags held aloft, singing along with "Freebird" and then moshing to songs off the band's more recent albums, "Twenty" and "Lyve From Steeltown". Rossington, "Johnny's yelling at the kids to stop hurting each other. We had to tell him, 'No, that means they like us, they're havin' fun.'" According to Johnny Van Zant, this new influx of Skynyrd fans allows the band to feel comfortable stretching themselves musically. "In the past, we were going to write songs in that same vein, but now we find ourselves doing things we might not have done the same way before - this band needs to step out on its own and try to do new things."
In the early/mid 1970's, Lynyrd Skynyrd rocketed to fame behind such classic rock songs as 'Sweet Home Alabama," "Freebird", "What's Your Name", "Gimme Three Steps" and numerous album/FM radio favorites that pulled them out of the "southern band" niche into worldwide acclaim and success. When their plane crashed in a Mississippi swamp in October, 1977 killing frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and back-up vocalist Cassie Gaines, and seriously injuring others, it seemed that Lynyrd Skynyrd, on the verge of their biggest successes, was over forever. Ten years later, a 6-week tribute tour, with Johnny on vocals, and with Rossington, Wilkeson, Powell and drummer Artemus Pyle of the original line-up turned into one of the most inspiring comebacks in rock history.
Along with Van Zant and Rossington, Thommason and Medlocke make up the songwriting core of the band today. "When we did 'Twenty'," explains Rossington, "that was our first album together so there were four separate individuals coming up with their own songs. This time, we worked as a cohesive unit because we've reached that point of feeling like a true band." Gary goes on to assert without any doubt, "This is the final line-up for the band forever and ever, we're staying with these guys, it's just fun and we're a band and we're tryin' to be good as we can, this is the second go around and I love it. I love it."
Edge of Forever,Lynyrd Skynyrd,Cmc International,Album Rock,Arena Rock,Blues-Rock,Boogie Rock,Hard Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop,Southern Rock,United States of America
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