"What Song Do You Want To Hear?"

 

 

 

 

 

Freebird... The Movie (1996): 

 The concert footage film is, and always has been, a decent way to experience seeing a performer or band perform in a live concert without having to pay the (sometimes, these days) exorbitant price of a ticket to the venue to see said performer. 

Side note: My opinion is that it is convenient, but hardly as good as the actual experience. Sure, if you get to see it in a movie theater, or are blessed with the funds to set up a big (and I mean BIG) screen TV with surround sound, it is a quality experience in itself. Sometimes that is necessary, however. I was only 7 when the iconic Woodstock event happened, so even if I had been close enough to go, I was WAY too young. But Woodstock (1970), the film of the event is a pretty good way to experience, albeit vicariously.)

The band Lynyrd Skynyrd experienced the tragic plane crash which took the lives of three of the band members, lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, and Steve and Cassie Gaines in 1977.  At that time, the only way to experience the live feel of Lynyrd Skynyrd was through the only live recording made during their initial run with the classic lineup (Lynyrd Skynyrd: One More From the Road). The band itself had disbanded because of the plane crash. 

But in 1987, somebody had the great idea to have a tribute tour with Johnny Van Zant, the brother of Ronnie,  doing the lead singing along with the surviving members of the band. The result gave the world a documentary, Lynyrd Skynyrd- Tribute Tour (see followup review below). Although that reunion was only meant last for the length of the tour, it proved that Lynyrd Skynyrd was such a draw that the band started it's second life.

This is what lead to Freebird... The Movie, a film and documentary that finally gave people who had never seen the original band a chance to see how the band performed in concert, with some interviews, both with current remembers reminiscing about the earlier years, as well as a few archival interviews from the time period in the study. It is pretty neat to see some talks with Ronnie recorded during the tour that is presented in the live portion of the film.

"Southern rock" still continues to have influence, even years after it's initial heyday. Although all but Artemis Pyle, the original lineup drummer for the band, have since passed away, the band continues to perform, adding new members as the need arises. The last tour had them paired with ZZ Top, another iconic southern rock band (and would that I could have afforded to go to that!) 

Most of the live performances in this film come from a concert performed in 1976 at the Knebworth Fair, and among the lineups playing that day were 10CC, Utopia, and the headliner, The Rolling Stones. Interestingly enough, one of the band members in this film, Artemis Pyle, claims they "blew the Stones off the stage." Not having any access to The Rolling Stones' performance that day, I can't say whether I would agree, but the performance caught here is definitely one for the books.

The most memorable shots of the crowd during the UK performance is seeing the number of Confederate flags flying along with someone waving a Union Jack. Now there's a vision of incongruity... And, BTW, if you are one of those people who object to Confederate flags, you probably aren't a fan of southern rock anyway, but such a thing is still a going thing at some of these types of concerts.

The song lineup you get here are the classics that Lynyrd Skynyd is famous for, including "Saturday night Special". "What's Your Name", "Gimme Three Steps", Sweet Home Alabama" and of course, "Freebird". Although the performance of "Freebird" is fantastic, I have to admit I was disappointed in not hearing Ronnie say "What song do you want to hear?" prior to the start.  Any one who has ever heard the classic version that was recorded live on their first live album probably expects it. But outside of that brief disappointment, the movie is an excellent introduction to the newbie to the band.

 

 

  

Lynyrd Skynyd- Tribute Tour (1987):

The event that pulled Lynyrd Skynyd back to touring. Except for the missing Van Zant and Gaines, most of the rest of the band were still alive, and began a still ongoing tour. Sure, since that first event, most of the rest of the original band have passed away now, although they just died as a result of age and whatever medical complications came their way. If you go see Lynyrd Skynyd today, there are no original band member with them,  and only one, Artemis Pyle, is even still among us.

The band members did it the right way on this first reunion tour, however, in my opinion. They got Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's brother to do the lead vocals, and he still remains as the lead singer, so technically you could say it's still in the family, despite the fact that none of the rest of the original band are on stage with him. The first post plane crash lineup, however had all but Allen Collins on stage. And he was there in spirit, since he had a say in who replaced him. (He had been paralyzed in the recent past, and was unable to walk and had limited use of his arms and hands.)

This film is more like a documentary than an actual concert film. It is narrated by Charlie Daniels of The Charlie Daniels Band fame, and includes not only interviews with surviving members of the band, but also with the parents of both Steve Gaines and Ronnie Van Zant (the two key band members who had died in the plane crash.

There are some full songs performed by the tribute band on stage, but early on you just get brief snippets of performances.  I kind of thought that was going to be it, but about 30 minutes into this documentary we get to see the tribute band perform the classic "Simple Man" (conveniently happening just after snippets of interviews with the parents.)

The concert portion of the video has a limited number of songs that are actual filmed while the band plays.  Instead you get a lot of little snippets, partial performances. That's not to say that you don't get to HEAR the band. During many of the segments featuring band members in family settings; cookouts, fishing and even a good old beer league baseball game, the film has live song recordings playing in the background.

But the important ones you do get a full performance of the tribute band. Of course that means the all-time favorites of "Sweet Home Alabama: and of course, "Freebird". And, finally, the iconic line, asked by Johnny himself... "What song do you want to hear?" And a beautiful thing, Johnny telling the crowd he is not going to sing the song. Only one person could ever sing that song, that was his brother, Ronnie. So while the tribute band plays, the sound mixers pipe in a recording of Ronnie singing the song.

I tell you what, if this film doesn't bring a few tears to your eyes for the love of family and fellowship, then I gotta say you ought to see a cardiologist to check and see if you actually have a heart.

Well, folks, time to crank up the old Plymouth and head home. And I'll give you a guess as to what music is going to be coming out of the loudspeakers on the way.

Quiggy

 

  

I want to thank the ladies at Pottsboro Public Library for having this double feature in their stacks. This is the best video I have seen all summer.

Q