Rossington - Returned To The Scene Of The Crime (1986)

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After two Rossington Collins Band albums, Allen Collins released one more very goof Southern Rock album with the Allen Collins Band, called "Here, There & Back". Gary Rossington followed three years later with this album, "Returned To The Scene Of The Crime". Now, we're well into the dark pages of Rock & Roll history here. And I'm afraid this is where things definitely got sour. Unless, of course, you enjoyed Cher and "If I Could Turn Back Time". Cause this album has more in common with that type of output than anything called Southern Rock. Gary must've been looking for a hit. I don't know whether he actually got one with this album, but I wouldn't be surprised. This is really slick, polished up AOR with just a bare hint of Southern at all. It's not bad, but neither is Journey or Foreigner. But that's not what I'm hoping for when buying an album of people related to one of my favorite Southern Rock acts of all time (yes, besides The Allmans I'm a big fan of Ronnie Van Zant-era Lynyrd Skynyrd). Still, for historical purposes this may be worth checking out. And if you're a fan of AOR music in general, you may well enjoy this album lots. Dale is a great singer and Gary does still possess that beautiful tone of his, which can still be heard if you listen carefully. Dangerous love.

The Johnny Van Zant Band - No More Dirty Deals (1980)

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Hey-hey, happy new year everybody! Kicking the new year off with one of my favorite classics, it's the debut album by The Johnny Van Zant Band. It's also their most Southern Rock sounding record. This is excellent Southern Rock and there's not a bad song to be found. Take my word for it, but hearing is believing. Just have a listen to what Johnny was up to, before he joined Lynyrd Skynyrd. The song "No More Dirty Deals" is a scorcher, and it deserves a place in the top 25 of best Southern Rock songs of all times. This also has one of the most haunting tributes to Ronnie Van Zant, in the form of the beautiful "Standing In The Darkness". This band rocks and has plenty of Southern Soul. Johnny's singing is perfect here. So, if you missed out on this one before, you know it's never too late!

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Atlanta 1993 (1993)

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Really, ever since Lynyrd Skynyrd released their second live album, there hardly has been any reason for buying a third or fourth. They mostly feature pretty much the same setlist over and over again. And don't we all crave for them to do something different, actually play some songs from their later albums with Johnny Van Zant? I know I do. Those albums all had some pretty fine tracks, well worth mixing up with the old classic. Well, you must've guessed it already, help is on the way. This album, "Atlanta 1993", is what you need. Lynyrd Skynyrd in support of their "The Last Rebel" album, this gives us a good measure of the new songs, as well as some old. And then some. "Outta Hell In My Dodge", "The Last Rebel" and "Good Lovin's Hard To Find" up against "That Smell" and "Saturday Night Special". And more candy along the way, in the form of "Sweet Home Alabama" sung in duet with Donnie Van Zant. But the real treat here is a sweet version of the Rossington Collins Band classic "Don't Misunderstand Me", sung by Dale Krantz with Travis Tritt. Excellent audio and introduction by their old friend, Mr. Al Kooper. How good can you get it? Hey! I'm modest in demand. I'm a simple man...

Artimus Pyle Band - A.P.B. (1982)

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"A.P.B." is the Artimus Pyle Band debut. While the other Lynyrd Skynrd survivors all joined forces in the Rossington Collins Band, Artimus Pyle started his own group. Musically it's closer to 38 Special than Skynyrd, and if you like that type of Southern Rock (heavy on the A.O.R.), this should well please you. I prefer this release over the "Nightcaller" album, which besides the music itself is also because here all songs are sung by a male singer (I don't care for female Southern Rock singers, sorry..). Nice album. Makes More Rock...

Artimus Pyle Band - Nightcaller (1983)

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After the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash, the majority of survivors went on to form the Rossington Collins Band. However, drummer Artimus Pyle was not part of that party. I have no idea why. But he didn't sit still either. Artimus formed A.P.B. or the Artimus Pyle band and released two albums in the 80's. "Nightcaller" is the second album. I don''t know the first, so I have no comparison. This album, judging from the fact that the band is an offspring of Skynyrd and geographically came from the right place, had me expecting it might be a classic Southern Rock record. Well... no. It's the kind of 80's drivel we've seen so many great bands produce during the 80's, like 38 Special and Molly Hatchet. This is even poppier. And the fact that more than half the songs are sung by a female singer, with a real clean voice and hardly a knack for Rock & Roll, doesn't help matters at all. And when some guy sings the other half, it sounds like any 80's Arena Rock band. These cats must've been star-struck. Alas they didn't have what it takes to stand out. It's not the worst, I'll just never play it again myself. But if you're interested in the post-crash Lynyrd Skynyrd, like I was, this might satisfy your curiosity. If someone has a good rip of the first A.P.B., I would still like to hear it. As for "Nightcaller, just give it a try.

The Randall Hall Band - The Randall Hall Band (2004)

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The Randall Hall Band features Randall Hall (duh), formerly of the Allen Collins Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Jimmy Dougherty, previously singer for both Alias and the Allen Collins Band. This 2004 release is musically very reminiscent (not in the last place due to Jimmy's singing) to the Allen Collins Band. It's an EP which has three really nice songs on it. "Trust" and "Square Peg" were new songs at the time this came out. The last, "Just Trouble", was the opening song of the Allen Collins Band album, "Here, There & Back" (now out of print). This time without the horns but still very good. The Randall Hall Band website is still online, but it hasn't been updated since 2004. Which is too bad, cause this is the kind of music I would love to have more of. Good stuff.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Then...Again...Live! (2004)

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Another XM Satellite Radio broadcast. This time the 2004 Lynyrd Skynyrd line-up gives it a go at recreating their debut album (pronounced'leh-'nérd'skin-'nérd) live in the studio.
I'm not too wild about the 'new' Skynrd, but this I really love. Instead of their calculated southern boogie, here they really live music again. Like the band sounded with Ronnie, like friends. And for friends, not for marketing purpose!
I'm really not sure at all where I got both this show and the ABB show from. I think it was someone I found on DC++ hubs. Anyway, thanks to the one who made these available to begin with.
Cheers!

Please note: there are some encoding issues in the first half of Simple Man. It lasts approx. 10 seconds. Otherwise it's fine.