Customer Reviews

Collection

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the perfect introduction to anyone wanting to check out the current Lynyrd Skynyrd front man's early solo work. Actually, it's the only way to check out Van Zant's solo work, as 17 of the CD's 18 songs are on albums that are now out of print. There's some great songs in the Skynyrd vain ("Comin' Home", the "Free Bird"-like "Standing in The Darkness"), as well as more AOR oriented rock like "Yesterday's Gone", which features Journey's Steve Perry on background vocals. The album closes with Van Zant's emotional tribute to his late brother Ronnie, "Brickyard Road". All in all, a great collection from an artist who's solo career was badly overlooked. Check it out.

This collection of Johnny Van Zant's early solo work proves that he didn't come out of nowhere. The opener, "Comin' Home", is a powerful Skynyrd-Outlaws hybrid; "Put My Trust In You" and "No More Dirty Deals" describe the way I felt after friends let me down; "Hard Luck Story" tells a tale of economic loss; "Good Girl Turning Bad" just flat-out rocks; "Yesterday's Gone" sings my feelings about visiting my old school; and the rest is great, pure rock & roll. This is rock & roll from a time when people thought it was dead.

No self respecting Skynyrd fan would be caught without this CD! Highlights of Johnny's first 3 highly overlooked albums. One listen and you'll know why it was Johnny chosen to front the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour.

Excellent ,, My favorites Are From "No More Dirty Deals", Although I Was Surprised That "Never Too Late" Didn't Make The Cut,, In My Opinion It is By Far The Best Track on That Album,, The Guitar Work is Miles Above the Rest Would Like To See "NMDD"In Reprint,, Great Rock and Roll ,,, Chunky ,,Southern Style !!

My friend Jay and I hitch-hiked a couple of hundred miles to see Jay's relative Robbie Gay, guitarist for the Johnny Van Zant Band during the late 1970's. We heard them practice in Jacksonville in an old warehouse only two weeks of being together with the line-up which eventually recorded and toured. Those were some wild days, and the music was inspiring, yet the band was concerened whether they would ever "make it" or not. Most people have no concept what it takes to be a rock musician, and the price that is paid, so it is a cool memory to remember a "made band" before they "made it." As a drummer myself, it was a great experience to witness first hand, talent of this caliber. I am glad to see Johnny go on and earn a place with Skynyrd. If anyone put in their dues, it was Johnny, so for the record Johnny is where he is not because of his name, but because of his vision through sweat and tears. If there is one thing I remember the most that night long ago--Johnny loved and missed his brother, for at that time it had not been long since Ronnie's death. I recommend this album, and hope a little behind the scenes history will be appreciated by some. By the way what ever happened to Robbie? Respectfully, Ronnie Chambers of Marianna