Lynyrd Skynyrd Visits 'Sweet Home Alabama'

You gotta admit, even with the stereotypes out there about Lynyrd Skynyrd, they are one great rock band. Showcasing their performance at the Loreley Festival in Frankfort, Germany in 1996, for the Rockpalast TV show, we see the triple guitar attack of Hughie Thomason, ex-Blackfoot Rickie Medlocke, and original axeman Gary Rossington along with vocalist Johnny Van Zant filling in for the late, great Ronnie.

Of course, all of the hits are performed: “Workin’ For MCA,” “Saturday Night Special,” “What’s Your Name” and, of course, “Freebird,” proving that this band was a great act that remained something to be seen even after the tragic plane crash. They still have the backup singers, the tight jam sessions, and the captivating rawness of Southern rock that really kept the spirit alive over the past couple of decades.

In addition to the full-length concert from ’96, there are three bonus cuts from the classic lineup filmed in 1974 from Hamburg (“Sweet Home Alabama,” “Workin’ For MCA,” and “Free Bird”), and even though the quality of the film reflects the time period (transfer was done well), it would have been nice to see the full-length show from this era.

Nevertheless, the Sweet Home Alabama DVD is a testament on how Skynyrd has remained an unstoppable force, and that nothing can slow them down. In the wake of all that has happened, fans still flock to see them live to this day, where they still play to large sell out crowds – and no one ever complains; they just get the lighters ready for the inevitable performance of the Southern rock national anthem. (Eagle Rock Entertainment) – Review by Tommy "Hashman" Hash

(Click on the DVD cover to buy Sweet Home Alabama from Amazon.com)