484. Lynyrd Skynyrd

April 8, 2023April 8, 2023 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2023) Episode 484 is LYNYRD SKYNYRD, begun after the death of founder Gary Rossington. I do love me some southern rock. They came out of the gate with songs ready-made for classic rock radio where they dominated and presumably still do. Catchy, but lacking the soulfulness of the Allman Brothers, the gold standard of the genre. The plane crash survivors reunited years later to put out nine albums of bland material, resembling a bar band with a famous name, and cultivating an image with Confederate flags and titles like “God and Guns.” I try to separate the art from the artist, but eww.

Favorite album: (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)

Favorite song: Freebird

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: just wait for their turn on a classic rock station

162. The Allman Brothers

January 19, 2019April 11, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

I have completed episode 162 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS. They didn’t invent Southern Rock*, but they pretty much defined it (see Midnight Rider and Blue Sky). A always enjoy the fret and slide work of Dickey and Duane. Their output after the 1970s often resembled little more than talent-rich bar band.

Favorite album: Idlewild South

Favorite song: Jessica

Favorite period: 1969-72

Compared to expectations: same

* Gregg Allman once made an astute comment that “Southern rock” was a redundant term, like “rock rock.”