Judging from the tragedy they had to endure and the impressive sting of classic anthems and albums they recorded,
Lynyrd Skynyrd
certainly warrant the
tribute album
treatment (although just about every bloody band has been "tributized" by now). And in 2007, they got it -- with the release of the 13-track
An All-Star Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
. Largely comprised of veteran classic
rock
acts, there are also a few surprising contributors -- including '80s
pop-metal
acts
Great White
and
Dangerous Toys
. But by and large, it's one big
Southern rock
fiesta -- as exemplified by readings of
"Gimme Back My Bullets"
(by
Pat Travers
),
"What's Your Name"
Jim Dandy
's
Black Oak Arkansas
), and
"You Got That Right"
Rick Derringer
) that don't stray far from the originals. Also included is a rendition of
"Double Trouble"
which features former
Skynyrd
members
Ed King
Artimus Pyle
, as well as a laid-back yet groovy version of
"That Smell"
by
Canned Heat
. And as expected,
's two best known tracks are included as well
"Free Bird"
(
Molly Hatchet
with
Charlie Daniels
) and
"Sweet Home Alabama"
The Outlaws
) -- but instead of closing the album (as
often does in their live shows), they lead off the album. As with all
tribute albums
,
features some keepers, some stinkers, and some that fall somewhere in between. ~ Greg Prato