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To me, there’s nothing freer than a bird, you know, just flying wherever he wants to go. And, I don’t know, that’s what this country is all about, being free. I think everyone wants to be a free bird. ~Ronnie Van Zant |
Continue reading Today: The late Ronnie Van Zant was born in 1948, 66 years ago
Last night we went to Oslo to see The South, it was our first show with them after the new album, The Further Inside You Go... and we were excited. It is safe to say that they fulfilled all expectations, they are the best live band in Norway at the moment. They are playing in Bergen tomorrow and in Stavanger the 16th November (we’ll be there), run out and get tickets, folks. You will not se a better Norwegian band this year!
They played two sets with a ten minute intermission (just like Zimmy does these days) both sets were fantastic, but when the y “take off” on the longer jams in the second set, I’m in heaven. Be sure to clap them back on stage after the final song, they really gave us a treat last night, the encore started out as a fun and fairly faithful rendition of Scarlet Begonias (Grateful Dead) but then they switch gears and ends up into a rip-roaring version of Allman Brothers’ Jessica. Perfect! (the piano solo from the original was included and it was so fun and so great!)
Well, as you’ve already guessed, we had a tremendous time in Oslo and we are really looking forward to the Stavanger concert.
First set:
Tinseltown
For Someone Else
Save You
Birds of a feather -> into Keep on Growing (Derek and The Dominos)
Dad
Can’t Find My Way Back Home
5th Gear
End of the day
Second set + encore:
Nothin’ but my shoes
Sue
I’ll be the one
The Juggernaut
The Further Inside You Go…
Different Eyes
—
Scarlet Begonias (Grateful Dead) -> into Jessica (Allman Brothers Band)
I think this was the set-list, but I may be mistaken on the sequence or some of the songs, don’t be too mad at me 😉
Continue reading Photo Special: The South at Cafe Mono in Oslo 2013
Finally we’re getting new music from The South! We have listened extensively to the album since we got it and we had a little talk with Alexander Pettersen about the record and music in general.
What do you see as the biggest difference on this album from the last one?
The main difference is how fast we did it. We started recording the last album in December 2010, but we didn’t release it until March 2012. The new record was done in January 2013 and was actually ready for release in June this year (even if we waited until October)
Musically they’re even more at “the west-coast” of USA this time, the country aspect is toned down (but there are traces of it still – great steel-guitar and some honky-tonk piano, I like that they haven’t abandoned it all.) It has that very recognizable guitar sound (“The South-sound”), but it has more “space” and is more dreamy in a way.
When we talked to The South at Bergenfest in 2012, they told us that producer Bent Sæther (Motorpsycho) gave them music to listen to, to get inspired by.
What did Bent Sæther think you should listen to this time?We didn’t have that specific discussion this time, we told him a bit about what we wanted, in what direction we would like to go. “A bigger canvas” was an expression that came about early on. We wanted not to rush it, to give the songs more time.
The Further Inside You Go… (Album teaser):
Continue reading The South – The Further Inside You Go… New album and interview
(Pronounced ‘lĕh-‘nérd ‘skin-‘nérd) is the debut album from Lynyrd Skynyrd, released in 1973. The album features several of the band’s most well-known songs, including “Gimme Three Steps”, “Simple Man”, “Tuesday’s Gone” and “Free Bird”, the latter of which launched the band to national stardom.
Bassist Leon Wilkeson left the band during the album’s early recording sessions only playing on two tracks. Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King was asked to fill in for Wilkeson on bass during the remaining sessions, as Wilkeson already wrote many of the bass parts. This left Skynyrd with only six official members at the time of the album’s release. Not long after, King remained with the band, and was made a member, so that they could replicate the triple-guitar lead during live performances. Wilkeson returned to the band when it was time to take the photo for the album cover and embark on the tour for the album. It was certified gold on December 18, 1974, platinum and 2x platinum on July 21 1987 by the RIAA.
Rolling Stone Magazine named it the 39 best debut album of all time:
From the git-go, these shaggy folks from deepest Jacksonville, Florida played hard, lived harder and shot from the hip, all three guitars blazing in music that blew past the Mason-Dixon line to become America’s next top boogie-rock. Discovered and produced by from essential mid-Sixties Dylan sideman Al Kooper, Skynyrd offered taut rockers including “Poison Whiskey” and the perpetual lighter (well, now iPhone) waving anthem “Freebird.” Perhaps the ultimate Southern rock band and this record aged shockingly well; just ask the Drive-By Truckers.
Here’s Lynyrd Skynyrd in their prime, a full set from BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test:
“Skynyrd was nothing but rockers, and they were Southern rockers to the bone. This didn’t just mean that they were rednecks, but that they brought it all together — the blues, country, garage rock, Southern poetry” – Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic)
Let’s include another great set. Here’s Lynyrd Skynyrd at 1976 Knebworth Fair Festival, England:
And the Album from Spotify:
What a great album, what a great band!
– Hallgeir
Sources: Allmusic, Wikipedia, Rolling Stone Magazine
The Beacon Theater – New York, NY.
Steve Earle got to play with the Allman Brothers, and what do the do? A song he said he always wanted to do with them, Copperhead Road plus a true classic done in a respectful way, Knocking on Heaven’s Door. Bruce Katz also sit in on keyboards.
This happened just a few weeks ago.Lucky are the people who had tickets for that show!
The sound is a bit “sharp” but this was just too good to miss.
Knocking On Heaven’s Door:
Copperhead Road:
Fantastic!
– Hallgeir