The members of Lynyrd Skynyrd played by their own set of rules. Fiercely defensive of their Southern heritage, Ronnie Van Zant and company reflexively lashed out when they thought they'd been slurred. Hence "Sweet Home Alabama," their retort to Neil Young's shame-on-Dixie "Alabama." (Young loved Skynyrd's screed, even though it lambasted him by name.) On the other hand, "Saturday Night Special" took on handguns; it's hard to imagine a contemporary band with a redneck-rock following taking a similar pro-gun-control stand. This two-disc overview presents a band with a broader agenda than one might imagine. Yes, this is state-of-the-'70s electric boogie, but it's three-guitar-strong rock with genuine subject matter. Fans will already have the likes of "Free Bird" (here presented in studio and concert settings) and "I Know a Little," but baubles such as the previously unreleased "Comin' Home" and the rare B-side "Mr. Banker" add to this collection's appeal, as does the lengthy liner essay. --Steven Stolder

uuid:	7EF9B214-FDF8-472D-A1A5-FB6F93297AA4
upc:	0008811180720
tracklisting:	Sweet Home Alabama I Ain't the One Was I Right or Wrong Gimme Three Steps Workin' for MCA Simple Man Swamp Music Ballad of Curtis Loew Saturday Night Special Mr. Banker Comin' Home [Original Version][#] Call Me the Breeze Free Bird What's Your Name? Whiskey Rock-A-Roller [Live] Tuesday's Gone Double Trouble I Know a Little Four Walls of Raiford I Never Dreamed Gimme Back My Bullets [Live] You Got That Right All I Can Do Is Write About It [Acoustic Version] That Smell Free Bird [Live]
title:	The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd [2-CD SET]
purchase date:	09-05-2005
published:	25-08-1998
price:	$24.98
net Rating:	4.5
last lookup time:	137388368
genre:	Blues Rock Southern Rock Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) Arena Rock
fullTitle:	The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd [2-CD SET]
currentValue:	$12.99
created:	137388352
country:	us
aspect:	Audio CD
asin:	B00000ADJX
artist:	Lynyrd Skynyrd