Customer Reviews

Second Helping

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One of the great hard rock bands of the 1970s, Lynyrd Skynyrd, have been mistakenly reviled by some as a buncha' racist rednecks, with too many guitars to boot. As head hombre Ronnie Van Zandt would have proclaimed: "the FOOLS!". Which appears to have been his favored insult through out Skynyrd's recording career. They were more raw, raunchy, stylistically varied, and a lot smarter and funnier than a majority of their contemporaries. "Second Helping", arguably their finest studio album, begins with the classic "Sweet Home Alabama". How anyone can not love this song is beyond my comprehension (Understandably tired of it from dreaded "Classic Rock" radio overkill, perhaps...). Even target of derision, Neil Young (because of his song "Southern Man"), loved it, and after all as Neil Young fan, Van Zandt, quipped, "I just felt he was taking down the whole flock just to nail a few bad ducks". On "Working For MCA", Van Zandt lets out one of the greatest frustrated snarls ever recorded to accompany the beginning landslide of guitar noise. In the album's "slow" number, "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew", a young boy is awestruck by the dobro blues of one Curtis Loew, and he bites back on his anger at the local FOOLS who consider the old man useless. "Swamp Music" is a tightly coiled number (three chords, three guitars!) that sings of the joy of leaving the big city for a while, with your hound at your side. While "Needle And The Spoon" sends out a stark caveat to all the needle freaks. Apparently after a double bill in Missouri, the band wound up getting drunk with The New York Dolls (?!?) (according to a recent Doll's bio) who probably would have profited from paying closer attention to this song. "Call Me The Breeze" is a J.J. Cale tune turned into a hard rock boogie with dueling guitars and horns, barrelhouse piano, and much whoopin', hollerin', and hand claps by, according to the liner notes, and I quote: "Wicker, Toby, Cockroach, Moochie, Punnel, Wolfman, Kooder, Mr. Feedback, and Gooshie". The CD has the added bonus of including Van Zandt's masterful adolescent tearjerker (that's a tearjerker about adolescence), "Was I Right Or Wrong?", as often pointed out, written and recorded before the band got a major label deal and hit the big time. Note: this album is a wonderful companion to their excellent collection, "Gold And Platinum"; "Sweet Home Alabama", is the only repeated cut. The band's career ended tragically with a plane crash in 1977, killing Van Zandt and several other key members. I've heard of albums released after this under the name Lynyrd Skynyrd, but this is name only. I mean c'mon, without Shorty? He was their heart.

What can I say? Every single song on this album is a classic. If I wanted to list the great songs on it, I'd just direct you to the track listing. Yes -- it's that good.

Obviously, the most popular song on this album is "Sweet Home Alabama." It's a good song, but there's more to Skynyrd than ole "Sweet Home." Songs like "Workin' For MCA," "The Needle And The Spoon," "Call Me The Breeze," and "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew" are every bit as good as "Sweet Home."

"Pronounced" is a great album. "Street Survivors" and "Gimme Back My Bullets" (which is SO underrated!) are great, too, and "Nuthin' Fancy" is a gem, but the greatest studio album ever put out by Skynyrd has to be "Second Helping." Buy them all (and also "One More From The Road [Deluxe Edition]" and, if you want to hear what the new version of the band sounds like, "Edge Of Forever"), but put this album at the top of the list.

Also, don't listen to whoever said the mix/production are poor. This album's mix is fine. Skynyrd albums use panning EXTREMELY well, increasing the impact of their double or triple guitar leads and riffs. The production is fine, too, and "Call Me The Breeze" is far from lame.

One more thing: "Was I Right Or Wrong" is a great song. It was originally supposed to be on this album, and, well, it would have been right at home on the original album. It finally gets its much deserved place on the album with this reissue!

All in all, this album is pretty hard to beat, and you will enjoy it... that can be guaranteed.

Second Helping(1974). Lynyrd Skynyrd's Second Album.

In 1974, following the release of 'Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd', Lynyrd Skynyrd took to the studios and recorded the aptly titled 'Second Helping', the album which would go on to become their biggest hit, spawning instantly recognizable singles such as "Sweet Home Alabama", "Don't Ask Me No Questions", "Workin' For MCA", "The Ballad of Curtis Loew", "The Needle And The Spoon", "Call Me The Breeze", and the minor hit "Swamp Music". Although initially unpopular, once "Sweet Home Alabama hit the Top 40, 'Second Helping' surged into the Top Ten on the album charts, and has become an album that defines southern rock and even hard rock. A powerful mixture of hard rock, blues, country, and boogie, Skynyrd easily became a sensation in the south, but soon branched out to become a worldwide success. With their three guitar attack and infectious grooves, Skynyrd is often considered the best band ever out of the south by many! So, is this album as good as the hype makes it sound? Read on to find out!

Track Ratings-

Sweet Home Alabama- The ultimate Southern Rock anthem, "Sweet Home Alabama" is one of the funkiest, catchiest, and simplest songs ever devised, yet easily one of the greatest. As soon as the opening riff comes out of your speakers, this song grabs you and doesn't let go... just pure brilliance. Everyone likes this song, and if you don't, you're crazy!

I Need You- A slow, soulful ballad that combines slow blues with southern boogie to create another classic. Van Zandt's soft, hushed vocals, backed up by the hypnotizing guitar work, give this song a dreamy mood... although very long, the song never gets old, whether you're listening to Van Zandt's emotional vocals or Gary Rossington's searing lead guitar work.

Don't Ask Me No Questions- The first single Skynyrd released, "Don't Ask Me No Questions" is a song sure to get your feet tapping, kind of sounding like ZZ Top mixed in with Led Zeppelin. Upbeat and sarcastic, "Don't Ask Me No Questions" is a very fun song, and Skynyrd's three guitarists show their mastery of guitar through their great riffs.

Workin' For MCA- A good-humored hard rock song, "Workin' For MCA" mixes Van Zandt's punkish vocals with Ed King's and Gary Rossington's funky licks to create an interesting song. One of Skynyrd's more experimental tracks, "Workin' For MCA" is one of the best songs here. Amazing guitar work!

The Ballad of Curtis Loew- Besides "Free Bird", "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" was Lynyrd Skynyrd's most popular ballad, a long, emotional roller coaster of a song that combines country and boogie music to create a beautiful ballad. Van Zandt's voice oozes passion and realism, and "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" seems entirely heartfelt. Very intense and emotional, Lynyrd Skynyrd's musicianship and songwriting is top-notch here!

Swamp Music- A minor hit for Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Swamp Music" is a combination of southern boogie and hard rock, a song that sounds straight out of the bayou of Louisiana. This song basically says what southern rock is all about, with Van Zandt's bluesy lyrics and Skynyrd's three guitarists showing how it's done in the south.

The Needle and the Spoon- A song about the dangers of hard drugs, "The Needle And The Spoon" is a no-holds-barred hard rocker, blending Van Zandt's cautioning vocals with the heavy, searing guitar work of Gary Rossington and Ed King, who rip out unforgettable solos and catchy riffs alike. Without a doubt, one of my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. Just plain cool.

Call Me The Breeze- Another great hit, "Call Me The Breeze" is a tune reminiscent of The Allman Brothers, starting off with horns and blaring guitars, and developing into an unforgettable twelve bar blues song. Van Zandt's vocals are fun and energetic, and the crunching guitars back him up well. A true southern rock song, this is obviously a fan favorite.

Don't Ask Me No Questions(Bonus Track)- Exactly the same as the original "Don't Ask Me No Questions".

Was I Right Or Wrong(Bonus Track)- A slow, quiet tune, "Was I Right Or Wrong" builds up from a folky, Jethro Tull-ish song into an emotional, heavy rocker that talks about growing up. A very good song, and I'm glad the label included this one!

Take Your Lime- A down and dirty blues song, "Take Your Lime" is a gritty blues rocker that lets Skynyrd's three guitarist and their keyboardist show off all their education in the blues, and Van Zandt lights up the song with his captivating lyrics. Another good bonus track.

Overall, there is not a weak song on this album. 'Second Helping' is undoubtedly a benchmark not just for southern rock or Lynyrd Skynyrd, but for hard rock in general. The guitarwork here is phenomonal, containing some of the coolest riffs and licks imaginable, and it's really a joy to listen to. Although you've heard these songs a million times, they never seem to age, and, for me, they never will. Ah, what a great album.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF HARD ROCK AND LYNYRD SKYNYRD! IF YOU DON'T OWN THIS, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SAY YOUR CD COLLECTION IS COMPLETE!

Killer Kuts- Sweet Home Alabama, Workin' For MCA, Don't Ask No Questions, Call Me The Breeze, The Ballad of Curtis Loew, and The Needle and The Spoon

Also Recommended-

Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd- Lynyrd Skynyrd
Derek and The Dominos- Derek And The Dominos
Tres Hombres- ZZ Top

Thanks For Reading!

"Second Helping" is the best Lynyrd Skynyrd album, and not just because it contains their best song, "Sweet Home Alabama." The band's sophomore effort shows a group of musicians who have hit their prime as both performers and songwriters. Every song is a classic, particularly "Don't Ask No Questions," the excellent ode to bluesmen and childhood "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe," "Working for MCA," "Swamp Music," and "Call Me the Breeze." Plenty of bands go an entire career without writing this many good songs. This album demonstrates that band leader Ronnie Van Zant was an artist whose premature death was a rock tragedy to compare with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman.

I wish that I could give this southern rock classic a billion stars as it is so good.Songs like Sweet home Alabama,Call me the breeze and the needle and the spoon are classics.FOR REAL MUSIC STICK TO LYNYRD SKYNYRD AS YOU ARE GUARANTEED A GREAT TIME.YOU GOT TO HAVE THIS IN YOUR COLLECTION,SO BUY TODAY.Please avoid the latest album from the awful PINK as suggested by a previous reviewer.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's second album Second Helping was released in April of 1974.
In 1973, Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged from Jacksonville, Florida and quickly built up a reputation as one of the best southern rock acts out there. Their debut album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd was a classic. The album, and in particular the rock radio smash Free Bird, had gotten such a following that Skynyrd opened up for The Who on The Who's infamous 1973 Quadrophenia tour and with the presence of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, the triple guitar assault of guitarists Allen Collins(who mirrored Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page), Gary Rossington(who mirrored Free's Paul Kossoff and Mott the Hoople and future Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs) and Ed King(who modeled after Chet Atkins(for regular soloing) and Duane Allman(when he did play slide)), keyboardist Billy Powell, bass player (the Mad Hatter) Leon Wilkeson(who just rejoined the band after quitting and missing out on playing on the first Skynyrd album) and drummer Bob Burns, Skynyrd gave their touring mates The Who a run for their money.
In early 1974, the band recorded the follow-up album to Pronounced called Second Helping which was released in April of that year. Is Second Helping as good as the first dish known as Pronounced or was it a bunch of stale leftovers, read on and find out(as I did when I first got this album for Xmas in 1986 on cassette).
We open with the classic Top 10 hit Sweet Home Alabama, which was Skynyrd's biggest hit. Rossington's riff countered with King's solo made the music stellar but it was Van Zant's lyrics which hit a home run. They took a friendly cheapshot at Neil Young's Southern Man(there was not ever a rivalry, in fact Young was honored that he was mentioned in the song) and some of the political things of 1974(Watergate, then-Alabama governor George Wallace). It's a classic, however MCA were against releasing it but were forced to change its stance and the rest is history. I Need You is next and is another great number. We follow with Don't Ask Me No Questions, a great rocker. This song was released as a single(its single mix without Rossington's burning guitar solo is included as a bonus) and tanked on the charts. Regardless, this song rocks. Next is the classic Workin' For MCA which was the band's rocking ode to their record label and had possibly Ed King's best non-slide guitar solo.
The second half kicks off with the ballad The Ballad Of Curtis Loew which is a great blues number about a kid who would watch an old bluesman play and is a great song. Swamp Music follows and is a great finger-picking number with a classic Rossington solo. The Needle And The Spoon follows and is a great rocker which just rocks. We end with the band's classic rendition of J.J. Cale's boogie-style rocker, Call Me The Breeze. That track just rocks and Rossington and Powell's solos make this song and the horn section(led by Rolling Stones sax-man Bobby Keys) help make this song a classic.
The album would become Skynyrd's first US Gold selling album hitting #12 and eventually was certified Platinum.
The remastered edition of this album gives you expanded liner notes, better sound quality and three bonus tracks including the aforementioned Don't Ask No Questions single mix plus demos of Was I Right Or Wrong and Take Your Time.
Recommended!

I feel that Second Helping is Lynyrd Skynyrd's best album. It sounds great and the production had improved over their debut album. The album kicks off with Sweet Home Alabama, which became Skynyrd's most recognizable and popular songs. 'I Need You' is the next track, which is one of Skynyrd's more slower and beautiful songs. 'Don't Ask Me No Questions' is a good song about people trying to know too much about the music business and Ronnie's personal life. 'Workin' For The MCA' is a catchy song that Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote as both a tribute and a threat to their new record company. 'The Ballad of Curtis Loews' is a nice slow song that is easy to fall in love with. 'The Needle and the Spoon' is one of my favorite tracks on the album, and the guitar riffs on this song are amazing! The album concludes with 'Call Me The Breeze' which is a good cover song.

There are several extra tracks on the album as well. First is a single edit of 'Don't Ask Me No Questions.' However, this song isn't very different from the original track. 'Was I Right Or Wrong' is, in my opinion, the best song on the entire album. The lyrics are wonderful, and the song is very emotional. The last extra is 'Take Your Time' which is from Ronnie's mother's point of view of her son growing up. It's a very good song.

This album is some of Lynyrd Skynyrd's best work. It's definately worth buying.

Second helping is one of the best southern rock albums and the best from skynyrd after their brilliant debut.This fantastic album contains classics like SWEET HOME ALABAMA,THE NEEDLE AND THE SPOON and WORKIN FOR MCA.I cant stop stressing the greatness of this album.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.To give this anything less than five stars is being unkind to this band.

This album is totally strong all the way through.
From the mellow blues of Curtis Loew to the blazin' riffs of Workin' for MCA, Skynyrd nails it with this one.

AWESOME!!!

There are so many great songs from "Second Helping", Lynyrd Skynyrd's sophomore album, that it's extremely difficult to pick a favorite. "Sweet Home Alabama" is sweetly scintillating with its opening guitar riff. "Call Me The Breeze" will take you on the ultimate rock 'n roll ride of a lifetime with Southern references like "I Dig You Georgia Peaches". "The Needle And The Spoon" somewhat delves into the band's experimentation with various drugs, yet is still a hard-rocking, enjoyable number, as are all the songs on the album. "Workin' For MCA" is perhaps the first song with a record label in its title. MCA is also the label which Skynyrd recorded for throughout much of the band's heyday in the '70's and early eighties when the already disbanded Skynyrd split ranks and reformed as "The Rossington-Collins Band". The most touching song from "Second Helping" is "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew", a blues-tinged number that tells the story of a blues legend from the Old South (not the Confederate South!) who played strictly for the love of (his) music. "Don't Ask Me No Questions" is also one of the top selections here. With so many good songs to choose from, you'll be back for third and fourth helpings! With the fact that "Second Helping" was also produced by blues master Al Kooper, this makes this Southern-rock masterpiece a must buy for any Skynyrd and Al Kooper fan!