CoronaVinyl Day 78 (Southern Rock): Skynyrd's First and . . . Last by Lynyrd Skykyrd

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Today's CoronaVinyl category is southern rock, which was generally a genre in the '70s (though there have been bands since then that fall into the category) featuring electric rock and roll with a twist of country and blues.  Bands were generally from the south, as the name of the genre may have clued you into.

If you're like me -- and you better pray to your fear-mongering, flame-fanning, tear-gassing-peaceful-protesters-to-get-a-Bible-photo-op false idol that you're not -- then the first band you think of when you hear "southern rock" is Jacksonville, Florida's Lynyrd Skynyrd. Named after the gym teacher at their high school, Leonard Skinner, who was known for strictly enforcing the school's policy against boys having long hair, much to the band members' chagrin, Skynyrd is one of the most enduring rock bands of any genre in the '70s.  Hell, I dare you to go to any rock concert without hearing someone shout out "Free Bird."  And if you are lucky enough be seeing a band that can play "Free Bird" (and is willing to do so), sit back and enjoy the ride.

Sadly, less than two weeks before I was born, lead singer Ronnie Van Zandt (29), guitarist Steve Gaines (28), backup singer Cassie Gaines (29), the band's assistant road manager, and two pilots died when the band's plane crashed in Mississippi flying between gigs.  Other members of the band suffered major injuries, and needless to say, the band broke up, before reforming about ten years later with Ronnie's little brother Johnny as lead singer.

The album I'm going with is Skynyrd's First and . . . Last, a 1978 compilation album that is now out of print in its original form.  It's name comes from the fact that the songs were recorded in 1971 and 1972 and were intended to be used for the band's debut album, but was scrapped for whatever reason, such that 1973's Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd ended up being their actual first album.  And, of course, the "Last" part of the album refers to the fact that several band members died less than a year before and the band was broken up.

Eventually, the album was renamed Skynyrd's First: The Complete Muscle Shoals Album (since the songs were recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio) and expanded to include eight additional songs (four of which were re-recorded for Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), and that is the version that is available on Spotify.  Many of the tracks are only available on these albums, although several were released on later compilations or box sets, and, as mentioned in the previous sentence, several were re-recorded and released on actual albums.  The songs give you a glimpse of a great rock band coming together and finding their sound.

Favorite song from Side 1:  "Down South Jukin'"
This is a relatively short (under three minutes), swampy, juke joint footstomper that kind of foreshadows the likes of "Gimme Three Steps" and some of their other future hits.

Favorite song from Side 2:  "Comin' Home"
I'd like to thank Peloton's Denis Morton for introducing me to this song on one of his cool down rides.  "Comin' Home" is my favorite kind of Skynyrd song -- a slower, heartfelt ballad that still rocks, which was something they did so well, like "Free Bird," "Simple Man," "Tuesday's Gone," and "The Ballad of Curtis Loew."  The harmonic choruses in this song are great, reminiscent of CSNY.  And then the song builds to a great guitar solo in the middle before coming back down, and then building back up again.