23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential 1975 DVD Performance, April 11, 2006
This review is from: Gimme Back My Bullets (W/Dvd) (Dlx) (Audio CD)
EVERY fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd and rock and roll music in general should immediately run out and buy this album. Not because Bullets is Skynyrd's shining moment; it's not. While this is a very, very good album, it doesn't measure up to the greatness that is Second Helping or even Pronounced and Street Survivors.
What makes this reissue absolutely essential, though, is the inclusion of the "bonus" DVD containing Skynyrd's complete Old Grey Whistle Test performance from 1975. Vintage footage from the glory days of any classic band is so hard to come by, yet here we have, thanks to the BBC, a stunning, full color, uninterrupted, seven song performance from a band at the height of its powers.
It is such a revelatory experience to see Ronnie growling and prowling the stage in his barefeet and cowboy hat. Gary Rossington and Billy Powell show their mastery of thier instruments during their various solo breaks and of course Leon Wilkeson and Artimus Pyle formed Skynyrd's secret weapon rhythm section. All of it is fantastic stuff.
As you watch the DVD, though, keep a special look out for one of the truly great rock and roll guitar heroes, Mr. Allen Collins, at stage left. Allen Collins had style and flash and emotion - just an amazing musician. He was also a great songwriter, having composed the music for Gimme Three Steps, The Needle and the Spoon, That Smell, and Free Bird, amongst others. And of course one of the great moments in rock and roll history is on Free Bird after Ronnie sings those sad, proud lyrics. As Gary and Billy take their solo spots, the musical tension keeps building and building, up and up and up, until finally, finally the tension shatters as Allen Collins takes wing and soars into that classic extended solo.
The performances captured on this Old Grey Whistle Test truly demonstrate the power and the greatness that was Skynyrd at its best. Sadly, three of the guys shown in this performance are dead. Ronnie Van Zant (and Steve Gaines) died in that 1977 plane crash. Leon Wilkeson died of natural causes in 2001. And Allen Collins, who survived that horrific plane crash, tragically became a paraplegic in a car crash in 1986. He never played guitar again. He died of complications from the paralysis in 1990. Allen Collins, R.I.P.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
very nice!!, ALL I CAN DO IS WRITE ABOUT IT., February 28, 2006
This review is from: Gimme Back My Bullets (W/Dvd) (Dlx) (Audio CD)
while this album was not my favorite it does however have its charm. several songs are standouts and thus should be an album of merit. the album was hurrily recorded while the band was exhausted-it does show because of some limp performances in some songs. to be fair, most if not all artists have a bone buried in their discography and I think this is theirs. this album was also remastered before with 2 bonus tracks in 1999. all contents of that issue are included here. the only differeces are some photos--so, for fans who have to have it all--there is a couple of reasons to keep that reissue. the sound quality to me sounds the same as the prior-the album sounded muddy then and remastering probably has improved it. the latest reissue is a boatful of bounty--disc 1 - original release with 6 bonus track - 4 of which are new. disc 2 is a DVD of a BBC tv show "OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST" recorded in mono. the performance on the show is FANTASTIC and really showed the ORIGINAL band in all of its glory-disc is about 45 mins and makes you want more. I only wish the latest CORPORATE version of the band could implement the passion shown here. superb liner notes*-*same as 1999 version but adds more. while I hate that music and movie companies force us fans/collectors to double or triple dip to "have it all" - there are valid reasons for coughing up money for this. I am surprised that this album was given the LEGACY EDITION treatment but you can bet the original albums will get the same. lets hope they continue to give us quality unreleased gems.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Smoking Gun, February 28, 2006
This review is from: Gimme Back My Bullets (W/Dvd) (Dlx) (Audio CD)
1976's Gimme Back My Bullets was the band's fourth album and first with legendary Atlantic producer Tom Dowd. It is an unusual pairing and Mr. Dowd's production isn't suited to the band's stylings. The album is a little more uneven than their previous three releases. That being said, when the band is on, they are smoking. The blistering title track is among the finest songs they recorded. "All I Can Do Is Write About It" is a strong rocker as is the fiery "Double Trouble". "Searching is a fine slow number and their cover of J.J. Cale's "I Got The Same Old Blues" seems like it was written for the band. This deluxe edition is worth the purchase for the additional DVD that contains some great live footage.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No