(Pronounced 'LĿh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) [LP]

by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Overview

The Allman Brothers came first, but Lynyrd Skynyrd epitomized Southern rock. The Allmans were exceptionally gifted musicians, as much bluesmen as rockers. Skynyrd was nothing but rockers, and they were Southern rockers to the bone. This didn't just mean that they were rednecks, but that they brought it all together -- the blues, country, garage rock, Southern poetry -- in a way that sounded more like the South than even the Allmans. And a large portion of that derives from their hard, lean edge, which was nowhere more apparent than on their debut album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd. Produced by Al Kooper, there are few records that sound this raw and uncompromising, especially records by debut bands. Then again, few bands sound this confident and fully formed with their first record. Perhaps the record is stronger because it's only eight songs, so there isn't a wasted moment, but that doesn't discount the sheer strength of each song. Consider the opening juxtaposition of the rollicking "I Ain't the One" with the heartbreaking "Tuesday's Gone." Two songs couldn't be more opposed, yet Skynyrd sounds equally convincing on both. If that's all the record did, it would still be fondly regarded, but it wouldn't have been influential. The genius of Skynyrd is that they un-self-consciously blended album-oriented hard rock, blues, country, and garage rock, turning it all into a distinctive sound that sounds familiar but thoroughly unique. On top of that, there's the highly individual voice of Ronnie Van Zant, a songwriter who isn't afraid to be nakedly sentimental, spin tales of the South, or to twist macho conventions with humor. And, lest we forget, while he does this, the band rocks like a motherf*cker. It's the birth of a great band that birthed an entire genre with this album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	07/31/2015
Label:	Geffen / Island
UPC:	0600753550168
Rank:	11638

Tracks

1. I Ain't the One
2. Tuesday's Gone
3. Gimmie Three Steps
4. Simple Man
5. Things Goin' On
6. Mississippi Kid
7. Poison Whiskey
8. Free Bird

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lynyrd Skynyrd   Primary Artist
Allen Collins   Guitar,Lead Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic)
Roosevelt Gook   Bass,Organ,Vocals,Mandolin,Keyboards,Mellotron,Drums (Bass),Vocal Harmony,Vocals (Background)
Billy Powell   Keyboards
Ed King   Bass,Guitar,Lead Guitar,Guitar (Bass)
Gary Rossington   Guitar,Lead Guitar,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Leon Wilkeson   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Robert Nix   Drums
Bobbye Hall   Percussion
Steve Katz   Harmonica
Ronnie Van Zant   Vocals
Bob Burns   Drums
George Rossington   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Dave Katz   Harmonica
Bobbie Hall   Percussion

Technical Credits

Allen Collins   Composer
Bobby Womack   Composer
J. More   Composer
Dan Turbeville   Engineer
Ed King   Composer
Lynyrd Skynyrd   Composer
Gary Rossington   Composer
Rodney Mills   Engineer
Al Kooper   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Joe Hicks   Composer
Robert Burns   Composer
M. Black   Composer
Ronnie Van Zant   Composer
P. Carpenter   Composer
Bob Burns   Composer
Bobby Langford   Engineer
Danny Rurbervill   Engineer