Customer Reviews

Under the Influence: Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd

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

 

 

Unlike the previous reviewer, I found Blues Travellers version of Freebird to be one of the high points. I usually cant stand Poppers Harmonica tones, but I believe they have done justice to the song albeit a shortened verion.Also, does it matter that Call me the Breeze is not a Skynyrd original ( JJ Cale being the writer)when you consider that "Hey Joe" for example was written by Joe South but will be found on countless Hendrix Tributes. This Cd will keep most Skynyrd fans happy. My 2 favourite tracks were North Mississippi Allstars driving version of Whisky Rock n Roller and GovT Mules "Simple Man".
The CD would have got 5 Stars but for the appalling versions of Sweet Home Alabama by Big Head Todd and Gimme 3 Steps by Disco Biscuits (WHO!?!?!?). Also Les Claypool, although a damn fine talent, gets the thumbs down. Otherwise , a very good and enjoable compilation

I saw this CD and thought,Oh Cool. Jam Versions of Skynyrd. One band called"Partical" does an improvised "jam" version of Working for MCA. And it is very good as jams go. I'm gonna have to look into them further. Kudos go to Drive By Truckers and Yonder Mountain String Band for doing lesser known Skynyrd gems. The rest is just bands doing the same tired old versions of the many overplayed Skynyrd songs that would be better to have by Skynyrd themselfs. John Poppers harp copy of Allen Collins guitar solo on Freebird is just this side of comical. And someone should let Les Claypool know that Call Me The Breeze is not really even a Skynyrd song

I picked up the album Under The Influence: A Jam Band Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd on a whim last month. It's been in my CD changer ever since. New purchases have entered the changer and left and Under the Influence remains.

D Vlad Hippy's negative review stunned me. I agree that Les Claypool's "They Call Me The Breeze" sounds less than stellar. It's the only track on the album I dislike. Vlad's correct that JJ Cale wrote the song. In defense of the album, though, most would associate it with Skynyrd, which justifies it's existence on a Skynyrd tribute album.

Galactic's "Saturday Night Special" has a great groove. Of course, Gov't Mule's "Simple Man" really jams. How could it not. Hiatt's "The Ballad of Curtis Loewe" and Drive By Trucker's "Every Mother's Son", rival or outdo Skynyrd themselves. "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" has become my newest favorite Hiatt song.

I also dig the North Mississippi Allstars rendition of "Whiskey Rock a Roller" and the Yonder Mountain String Band's "Four Walls of Raiford". I find myself skipping through to listen to "Every Mother's Son," "Simple Man" and "Four Walls of Raiford".

In total contrast to Vlad, I find the Blues Traveler's version of "Freebird" to be a perfect sounding Blues Traveler song. When I hear it I forget that it's not even their song. Popper kicks ass on the mouth harp. There's no way to deny that greatness.

I could do without Big Head Todd's "Sweet Home Alabama". On the other hand, The Disco Biscuits bring a fresh, original funkiness to "Gimme Three Steps". Likewise, Particle jams out keeps a true Skynyrd feel with a fresh sound for their rendition of "Workin for MCA".

Buy the album. Heck, buy 2. Give one to a friend.

This is a great CD if you are a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan- some of the best remakes you will find on any tribute CD. It doesn't get any better than Gov't Mule and North Mississippi All Stars' renditions with all of the rest rock solid.

Yes to Paul's review. Gov't Mule (Warren Haynes) does a great Simple Man. But the best ever, and even better than Skynyrd, is Shinedown's acoustical version. That guy can sing!!! Perfect tone control. And to do it acoustical without a bunch of loud instruments covering it up takes balls. Check it out.