Lynyrd Skynyrd
One More From The Road

THE REVIEW

The story of Lynyrd Skynyrd has many elements in common with other legendary and "cursed" bands: a life of excess, between alcohol and bar fights, and a tragic end with the plane crash in 1977 that took away the singer and charismatic leader Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines. A premature ending for a band that proudly upheld the Southern rock flag during the '70s.

This "One More From The Road," recorded during the Atlanta concerts in July 1976, is a testament to the extraordinary live dimension of Skynyrd, able like few others to electrify the audience with unforgettable performances. The songs take us into their America, between a touching ballad ("Tuesday's gone," "Simple Man") and an irresistibly driven track ("Gimme three steps," "Workin' for MCA"), to then culminate in the absolute masterpiece, the "Freebird" that gives chills with every listen due to its intensity and that in this live version becomes absolutely compelling, with that guitar solo that seems to never end (and this is certainly not a flaw). All without forgetting one of their biggest hits, the anthem "Sweet Home Alabama" and a brilliant cover of Robert Johnson's classic "Crossroads".

A lethal cocktail of rock, blues, and country that sees as undisputed protagonists Ronnie Van Zant, whose distinctive voice became one of the unmistakable trademarks of the band, and the not less important trio of guitarists Collins-Rossington-Gaines, true creators of the typical sound. A record that can only give us a glimpse of the magic Lynyrd Skynyrd could unleash on stage, but that nevertheless moves, offering glimpses of great music.

Music that the Atlanta spectators had the fortune to hear live just a few months before fate forever clipped the wings of the free bird.