Lynyrd Skynyrd Skynyrd Collectybles CD

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Ronnie Van Zant (vocals); Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, Ed King, Steve Gaines (guitar); Barry Harwood (dobro); Billy Powell (piano, keyboards); Larry Junstrom, Leon Wilkeson (bass); Bob Burns, Artimus Pyle (drums).
Producers include: Tom Markham, Jim Sutton, David Johnson, Quin Ivy, Al Kooper.
Compilation producer: Ron O'Brien.
Includes liner notes by Ron O'Brien.
Digitally remastered by Doug Schwartz (Audio Mechanics, Los Angeles, California).
Personnel: Ronnie Van Zant (vocals); Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Ed King (guitar); Billy Powell (piano); Bob Burns (drums).
Audio Mixer: Kevin Elson.
Liner Note Author: Ron O'Brien.
Recording information: Quinvy Studios, Sheffield, AL (??/1968-01/1974).
Skynyrd Collectybles is a set for the devoted, a collection of rarities from Lynyrd Skynyrd's prime period -- namely, when Ronnie VanZant led the band. The great thing about this is that it doesn't play as something just for the devoted -- it's quite enjoyable for anyone who's a fan of Skynyrd's classic work. This does have some historically significant material, namely the inclusion of the early, pre-Skynyrd "Shade Tree Recordings," cut between 1968 and 1970, and the "Quinvy Recordings" from 1970. There are also outtakes from Second Helping and Street Survivors, and a full album's worth of live material recorded either at the Fox Theater in 1976 or on WMC-FM in 1973. Nothing is particularly revelatory, even the early recording of "Free Bird," but it's all of high quality and anything that adds to classic Skynyrd's body of work is welcome indeed. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
An absolute feast for fans, this anthology, nearly all of which is previously unreleased, documents the definitive Southern rock band at just about every stage of its career. (A previously released 1968 single finds their twin guitar attack already in place). Highlights include a blistering live radio show from 1973, recorded just after the release of their debut album, as well as outtakes from SECOND HELPING and STREET SURVIVORS.
Also included are additional concert cuts from the show immortalized on ONE MORE FROM THE ROAD. Classic rock fans will rejoice over the band's remarkable take on Cream's version of "Crossroads"), while country-philes will savor "Jacksonville Kid," a Merle Haggard re-write which suggests that leader Ronnie Van Zant might well have moved towards country music had he lived.

2 Cds