Simon RushworthLynyrd Skynyrd – One More For The Fans (earMUSIC)
Genre: Southern Rock
This all-star celebration of Southern Rock’s self-appointed kings could have gone horribly wrong.
But One More For The Fans is no lame tribute album – in fact the fusion of so many Skynyrd devotees and the band themselves makes for a quite brilliant take on a slew of rock’s most recognisable classics.
What’s not to like about the brilliant Blackberry Smoke, US icons Cheap Trick, Gregg Allman and more joining forces to breathe new life into an ebullient back catalogue? And there’s the evocative version of Travelin’ Man as Johnny Van Zant sings along with archived video of his late brother Ronnie.
Throw in the fact that Don Was led the all-star house band as musical director and it’s clear why this live release is a cut above.
Peter Frampton is on fine form chilling out on Call Me The Breeze and Allman almost steals the show as he takes Tuesday’s Gone and gives it the full Greg treatment.
Come the triumphant conclusion – Skynyrd pulling all of their guests on stage for a spine-tingling version of Sweet Home Alabama – and it feels as if one hell of a Southern Rock party is over far too soon. For those packed inside Atlanta’s Fox Theater last November it was – but just hit rewind and play it again. Simon Rushworth
RUSHONROCK RATED: 10/10 Fanstastic