Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tribute Tour Rehearsals September 3, 1987

This is one of my favorites. After 10 years, the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were finally back together to pay tribute to their fallen brothers. The Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band would make it's debut at Charlie Daniels' annual Volunteer Jam on September 6, 1987. Here we have a rehearsal which took place three days earlier on 9/3/87.
This recording is not perfect, as it's a little warbly (is that a word?). But in my opinion, this rehearsal has the band sounding as close to the original lineup as I've ever heard. Artimus Pyle's drums sound natural, unlike the "big '80s" drum sound he had on the tour and subsequent live album (Southern By The Grace Of God, which you should buy if you don't have it already). The highlight of the album may be the conversations between band members, specifically on the three takes of Gimme Three Steps. There is a hilarious argument between Johnny Van Zant and the rest of the band about whether Ronnie sang "Hey there fella.." or "Hey fat fella..." on Gimme Three Steps. You have to hear it.

1. Workin' For MCA
2. I Ain't The One
3. I Know A Little
4. Gimme Three Steps (Take 1)
5. Gimme Three Steps (Take 2)
6. Gimme Three Steps (Take 3)
7. That Smell (Take 1)
8. Sweet Home Alabama
9. That Smell (Take 1)
10. You Got That Right
11. When You Got Good Friends (Take 1, Instrumental)
12. When You Got Good Friends (Take 2, Instrumental)
13. When You Got Good Friends (Take 1, Vocals)
14. The Needle & The Spoon
15. Swamp Music
16. Free Bird

http://www.sendspace.com/file/nc5dvf

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Santa Monica, CA May 20, 1974

Aside from the 10-30-1973 WMC Memphis Radio show (which is available on the excellent Lynyrd Skynyrd "Collectybles" release; get it at Amazon if you don't have it), there is no commercially available recording of the Ed King / Bob Burns era of Lynyrd Skynyrd. [Skynyrd's December 1974 appearance on the German TV show Rockpalast (3 songs) is available on the DVD "Sweet Home Alabama: The Rockpalast Collection", also available at Amazon or any fine retailer]

So I thought I'd start with this show. The sound quality isn't great, but it's listenable. This is an interesting show for a number of reasons:

- As I mentioned above, it's got Ed King and Bob Burns.
- You'll get to hear Bob Burns play drums on Saturday Night Special. Artimus Pyle played on the studio version and every subsequent available live version. This is the only version I know of with Bob Burns playing drums.
- The band closes with Crossroads, rather than Free Bird. This is also the only known version with Ed King and Bob Burns.

So what are you waiting for, download it already! [The above album cover was designed by Joey Hawkins]

Setlist:

1. Workin' For MCA
2. I Ain't The One
3. Saturday Night Special
4. Gimme Three Steps
5. Don't Ask Me No Questions
6. Call Me The Breeze
7. Free Bird
8. Crossroads

http://www.sendspace.com/file/i29cuk

Hello

Hello,
Welcome to my new blog. Some of you may remember a website I created several years ago called Rare Skynyrd Audio (which can still be viewed at skynyrdaudio.tripod.com). The site has been abandoned for years and many of the links are broken. I simply ran out of the time and energy it took to maintain it. But now I'm back and ready to share some of the great live Lynyrd Skynyrd material I've been fortunate enough to obtain over the years.

This blog will feature full-length downloads of Lynyrd Skynyrd and related bands (such as Rossington-Collins Band, Johnny Van Zant Band, etc.). Of course, only unofficial recordings will be featured here. Support these bands and buy their CDs!