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And Ronnie: Fat Ed King was right about him all along- a genius, no doubt. But also, I think that one hundred years from now, Van Zant will be a real Southern myth, spectral, living side-by-side with characters out of some of Old Dixie's finest Civil War ballads. When I listen to this album (CD), probably once or twice a year, it only gets richer- and if I lived forever I'd miss them more and more each day. I'm a Yankee and where I come from, we all loved this band, this album/some of Skynyrd's best fans hark from the Northeast according to Gene Odem. We all know the songs, the metaphors are visceral and sneaky, but the band is always playing on the edge here. I read that Tom Dowd basically rewrote the horn chart for "What's Your Name," advised on a few other things, leaving Rodney Mills in control. One of the finest albums to come out of the mid 70's- and that era produced it ALL, maybe the last great era. Forget the stupid Southern tag.
And I love the reissued cover, with the angelic light over the singer's head. The ambiguity of "That Smell," which was retooled by ZZ Top for "Gimme All Your Lovin'"; the virtuosity of Gaines, co-writer of my favorite song: "I Got To Go But I Can't Stay Long (ha); but as Christgau hinted, with Gaines, the rest of the players really started to show their hand. These guys were so good that you can bet your a*$#@ that they have real estate on one of those stars on the American flag by now. And it's a pure rock record with some country motifs. Street Survivors has even kept a cynical New York rock critic alive in my book, Robert Christgau, who loved the original band.
I thought this was the coolest album cover for a couple weeks and then.we know the rest of the story. Enjoyed the bonus tracks too. Wonder what if. My favorite Skynyrd album. No, it's not your classic Southern Rock, but d@mn it's gooood. Great album overall.
This one contains the hits: "What's Your Name", "That Smell" (an excellent Ronnie Van Zant original, with a great theme), "One more Time", "I know a Little" (written by Steve Gaines.)., "You Got that Right" (co-written by Ronnie & Steve), "I Never Dreamed" (co-written by Ronnie & Steve), "Honky Tonk Night Time Man" (a Merle Haggard song), "Ain't No Good Life" (written & sung by Steve Gaines). What else can I say. The Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd Studio Album. Plus, you get 5 bonus songs: "Georgia Peaches" (Outstanding co-written by Steve Gaines & Ronnie Van Zant), "Sweet Little Missy", "You Got That Right" (Alternative version), "I Never Dreamed" (Alternative Version), and "Jacksonville Kid" (A story about the legendary late/great Ronnie Van Zant, based on a Merle Haggard song, and altered to describe Ronnie - Excellent.).This is the last legendary album by the original Lynyrd Skynyrd Band before the October 20, 1977 plane crash.
This album always brings back those memories. It is a great listen for anyone who loves southern rock. This album is awesome. I will still be thinking what it. They might have been street survivor but not plane crash survivors. This is one of the biggest tragedies in rock and roll music to me. My more favorite tunes on this album are not ones you would ever hear on the radio like "aint no good life".
I loved the album when it first came out years ago, and the cd does not disappoint. It was great the hear all thoses songs again, brought back so many great memories.
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