Second Helping [Original recording remastered, Import]

One of the great hard rock bands of the 1970s, Lynyrd Skynyrd, have been mistakenly reviled by some as a buncha' racist rednecks, with too many guitars to boot. As head hombre Ronnie Van Zandt would have proclaimed: "the FOOLS!". Which appears to have been his favored insult through out Skynyrd's recording career. They were more raw, raunchy, stylistically varied, and a lot smarter and funnier than a majority of their contemporaries. "Second Helping", arguably their finest studio album, begins with the classic "Sweet Home Alabama". How anyone can not love this song is beyond my comprehension (Understandably tired of it from dreaded "Classic Rock" radio overkill, perhaps...). Even target of derision, Neil Young (because of his song "Southern Man"), loved it, and after all as Neil Young fan, Van Zandt, quipped, "I just felt he was taking down the whole flock just to nail a few bad ducks". On "Working For MCA", Van Zandt lets out one of the greatest frustrated snarls ever recorded to accompany the beginning landslide of guitar noise. In the album's "slow" number, "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew", a young boy is awestruck by the dobro blues of one Curtis Loew, and he bites back on his anger at the local FOOLS who consider the old man useless. "Swamp Music" is a tightly coiled number (three chords, three guitars!) that sings of the joy of leaving the big city for a while, with your hound at your side. While "Needle And The Spoon" sends out a stark caveat to all the needle freaks. Apparently after a double bill in Missouri, the band wound up getting drunk with The New York Dolls (?!?) (according to a recent Doll's bio) who probably would have profited from paying closer attention to this song. "Call Me The Breeze" is a J.J. Cale tune turned into a hard rock boogie with dueling guitars and horns, barrelhouse piano, and much whoopin', hollerin', and hand claps by, according to the liner notes, and I quote: "Wicker, Toby, Cockroach, Moochie, Punnel, Wolfman, Kooder, Mr. Feedback, and Gooshie". The CD has the added bonus of including Van Zandt's masterful adolescent tearjerker (that's a tearjerker about adolescence), "Was I Right Or Wrong?", as often pointed out, written and recorded before the band got a major label deal and hit the big time. Note: this album is a wonderful companion to their excellent collection, "Gold And Platinum"; "Sweet Home Alabama", is the only repeated cut. The band's career ended tragically with a plane crash in 1977, killing Van Zandt and several other key members. I've heard of albums released after this under the name Lynyrd Skynyrd, but this is name only. I mean c'mon, without Shorty? He was their heart.

What can I say? Every single song on this album is a classic. If I wanted to list the great songs on it, I'd just direct you to the track listing. Yes -- it's that good.

Obviously, the most popular song on this album is "Sweet Home Alabama." It's a good song, but there's more to Skynyrd than ole "Sweet Home." Songs like "Workin' For MCA," "The Needle And The Spoon," "Call Me The Breeze," and "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew" are every bit as good as "Sweet Home."

"Pronounced" is a great album. "Street Survivors" and "Gimme Back My Bullets" (which is SO underrated!) are great, too, and "Nuthin' Fancy" is a gem, but the greatest studio album ever put out by Skynyrd has to be "Second Helping." Buy them all (and also "One More From The Road [Deluxe Edition]" and, if you want to hear what the new version of the band sounds like, "Edge Of Forever"), but put this album at the top of the list.

Also, don't listen to whoever said the mix/production are poor. This album's mix is fine. Skynyrd albums use panning EXTREMELY well, increasing the impact of their double or triple guitar leads and riffs. The production is fine, too, and "Call Me The Breeze" is far from lame.

One more thing: "Was I Right Or Wrong" is a great song. It was originally supposed to be on this album, and, well, it would have been right at home on the original album. It finally gets its much deserved place on the album with this reissue!

All in all, this album is pretty hard to beat, and you will enjoy it... that can be guaranteed.

Second Helping(1974). Lynyrd Skynyrd's Second Album.

In 1974, following the release of 'Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd', Lynyrd Skynyrd took to the studios and recorded the aptly titled 'Second Helping', the album which would go on to become their biggest hit, spawning instantly recognizable singles such as "Sweet Home Alabama", "Don't Ask Me No Questions", "Workin' For MCA", "The Ballad of Curtis Loew", "The Needle And The Spoon", "Call Me The Breeze", and the minor hit "Swamp Music". Although initially unpopular, once "Sweet Home Alabama hit the Top 40, 'Second Helping' surged into the Top Ten on the album charts, and has become an album that defines southern rock and even hard rock. A powerful mixture of hard rock, blues, country, and boogie, Skynyrd easily became a sensation in the south, but soon branched out to become a worldwide success. With their three guitar attack and infectious grooves, Skynyrd is often considered the best band ever out of the south by many! So, is this album as good as the hype makes it sound? Read on to find out!

Track Ratings-

Sweet Home Alabama- The ultimate Southern Rock anthem, "Sweet Home Alabama" is one of the funkiest, catchiest, and simplest songs ever devised, yet easily one of the greatest. As soon as the opening riff comes out of your speakers, this song grabs you and doesn't let go... just pure brilliance. Everyone likes this song, and if you don't, you're crazy!

I Need You- A slow, soulful ballad that combines slow blues with southern boogie to create another classic. Van Zandt's soft, hushed vocals, backed up by the hypnotizing guitar work, give this song a dreamy mood... although very long, the song never gets old, whether you're listening to Van Zandt's emotional vocals or Gary Rossington's searing lead guitar work.

Don't Ask Me No Questions- The first single Skynyrd released, "Don't Ask Me No Questions" is a song sure to get your feet tapping, kind of sounding like ZZ Top mixed in with Led Zeppelin. Upbeat and sarcastic, "Don't Ask Me No Questions" is a very fun song, and Skynyrd's three guitarists show their mastery of guitar through their great riffs.

Workin' For MCA- A good-humored hard rock song, "Workin' For MCA" mixes Van Zandt's punkish vocals with Ed King's and Gary Rossington's funky licks to create an interesting song. One of Skynyrd's more experimental tracks, "Workin' For MCA" is one of the best songs here. Amazing guitar work!

The Ballad of Curtis Loew- Besides "Free Bird", "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" was Lynyrd Skynyrd's most popular ballad, a long, emotional roller coaster of a song that combines country and boogie music to create a beautiful ballad. Van Zandt's voice oozes passion and realism, and "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" seems entirely heartfelt. Very intense and emotional, Lynyrd Skynyrd's musicianship and songwriting is top-notch here!

Swamp Music- A minor hit for Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Swamp Music" is a combination of southern boogie and hard rock, a song that sounds straight out of the bayou of Louisiana. This song basically says what southern rock is all about, with Van Zandt's bluesy lyrics and Skynyrd's three guitarists showing how it's done in the south.

The Needle and the Spoon- A song about the dangers of hard drugs, "The Needle And The Spoon" is a no-holds-barred hard rocker, blending Van Zandt's cautioning vocals with the heavy, searing guitar work of Gary Rossington and Ed King, who rip out unforgettable solos and catchy riffs alike. Without a doubt, one of my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. Just plain cool.

Call Me The Breeze- Another great hit, "Call Me The Breeze" is a tune reminiscent of The Allman Brothers, starting off with horns and blaring guitars, and developing into an unforgettable twelve bar blues song. Van Zandt's vocals are fun and energetic, and the crunching guitars back him up well. A true southern rock song, this is obviously a fan favorite.

Don't Ask Me No Questions(Bonus Track)- Exactly the same as the original "Don't Ask Me No Questions".

Was I Right Or Wrong(Bonus Track)- A slow, quiet tune, "Was I Right Or Wrong" builds up from a folky, Jethro Tull-ish song into an emotional, heavy rocker that talks about growing up. A very good song, and I'm glad the label included this one!

Take Your Lime- A down and dirty blues song, "Take Your Lime" is a gritty blues rocker that lets Skynyrd's three guitarist and their keyboardist show off all their education in the blues, and Van Zandt lights up the song with his captivating lyrics. Another good bonus track.

Overall, there is not a weak song on this album. 'Second Helping' is undoubtedly a benchmark not just for southern rock or Lynyrd Skynyrd, but for hard rock in general. The guitarwork here is phenomonal, containing some of the coolest riffs and licks imaginable, and it's really a joy to listen to. Although you've heard these songs a million times, they never seem to age, and, for me, they never will. Ah, what a great album.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF HARD ROCK AND LYNYRD SKYNYRD! IF YOU DON'T OWN THIS, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SAY YOUR CD COLLECTION IS COMPLETE!

Killer Kuts- Sweet Home Alabama, Workin' For MCA, Don't Ask No Questions, Call Me The Breeze, The Ballad of Curtis Loew, and The Needle and The Spoon

Also Recommended-

Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd- Lynyrd Skynyrd
Derek and The Dominos- Derek And The Dominos
Tres Hombres- ZZ Top

Thanks For Reading!

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