Tracks
- I Ain't the One
- Tuesday's Gone
- Gimme Three Steps
- Simple Man
- Things Goin' On
- Mississippi Kid
- Poison Whiskey
- Free Bird
(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) is a sincere album. The music is Southern rock; although, I'm not sure what that means. British bands have been defining blues-inspired rock since the late 1960s and that's what everyone who played blues rock tried to emulate. Then in the early 1970s American bands defined their own brand of blues-inspired rock. A defining difference is American blues rock incorporates elements of country music, including lyrical references. I think that's what makes Lynryd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers different from, say, Led Zeppelin or The Rolling Stones.
There's a real down-to-earth feeling I get with this album. The lyrics and song themes seem more personal, immediate and relevant. The music also seem straightforward and uncluttered or unburdened. I think, most importantly, the music just sounds fresh and the lyrics unpretentious.
This album is pretty darn good. Although, there are quite a few long songs, the album moves quite briskly. The album never becomes tedious. Certainly, it's worth listening to and I would recommend it to anyone looking to build a serious album collection, but I don't think it needs to be on the 1001 Albums list. It isn't stylistically different from what the Allman Brothers have been doing.
All the songs are excellent. The stand-outs are: I Ain't the One, Tuesday's Gone, Gimme Three Steps, Simple Man, Things Goin' On, Mississippi Kid, Poison Whiskey and Free Bird. Yep, once again, that's all of them!
★★★★★★★★★★
Tracks
- Statesboro Blues
- Done Somebody Wrong
- Stormy Monday
- You Don't Love Me
- Hot 'Lanta
- In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
- Whipping Post
At Fillmore East is a fine album, mostly. The music is blues rock. This live album features the Allman Brothers doing what they do best—jamming. For most of the songs, the rhythm section lays down a groove for guitarists, Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, to solo over. Greg Allman on organ gets to solo now and then, too.
This album is really, really good. Long jams are a lot of fun to listen to if they are done right, that is they aren't repetitive and dull. This album is worth listening to and deserves a spot in any serious collection. It should be on the 1001 Albums list.
All the songs on this album are excellent. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and Whipping Post are remarkable jams.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Ramble Tamble
- Before You Accuse Me
- Travelin' Band
- Ooby Dooby
- Lookin' Out My Back Door
- Run Through the Jungle
- Up Around the Bend
- My Baby Left Me
- Who'll Stop the Rain
- I Heard It Through the Grapevine
- Long as I Can See the Light
Cosmo's Factory is a solid album. Creedence Clearwater Revival have moved away from their swamp rock to blues/country rock.
The songs are all outstanding. There are four cover songs and seven originals. Despite the covers being great songs in their own right, the originals are what make this album shine. John Fogerty is a great songwriter. The only problem is that the songs don't congeal into a thematic whole like CCR's previous two albums (on this list) have.
This album is definitely worth listening to, but I don't think it should be on the 1001 Albums list. This album is neither innovative nor groundbreaking.
The stand out songs are: Ramble Tamble, Travelin' Band, Lookin' Out My Back Door, Run Through the Jungle, Up Around the Bend, Who'll Stop the Rain, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Long as I Can See the Light.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Across the Great Divide
- Rag Mama Rag
- The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
- When You Awake
- Up on Cripple Creek
- Whispering Pines
- Jemima Surrender
- Rockin' Chair
- Look Out Cleveland
- Jawbone
- The Unfaithful Servant
- King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
The Band is an disappointing album. This is a good example of good musicians making uninspiring music. The songs sound flat, dull and muted.
I was expecting to like this album since it is highly acclaimed. But I've listened to it many times over and it just can't keep my attention. Maybe I just don't get it.
The good songs are Across the Great Divide, Up on Cripple Creek and King Harvest (Has Surely Come).
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Tracks
- Green River
- Commotion
- Tombstone Shadow
- Wrote a Song for Everyone
- Bad Moon Rising
- Lodi
- Cross-Tie Walker
- Sinister Purpose
- The Night Time Is the Right Time
Green River is a solid album. The songs are straightforward rock and roll with lyrics that give the songs a country or bayou feel.
This album is similar to Bayou Country, but just not as interesting. It's a good and reliable album; it just doesn't outperform its predecessor. It would be a career-maker for a lesser band.
I think this album could have been left off the 1001 Albums list or at least it could have been placed more distant on the list from Bayou Country to better conceal the similarities. Anyway, the songs are all quite good. The stand-outs are Green River, Commotion, Wrote a Song for Everyone, Bad Moon Rising, Lodi, Cross-Tie Walker and The Night Time Is the Right Time.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Tracks
- Born on the Bayou
- Bootleg
- Graveyard Train
- Good Golly Miss Molly
- Penthouse Pauper
- Proud Mary
- Keep on Chooglin'
Bayou Country is a heavy album. Most of the songs are a mix of blues and country with a lyrics that conjure images of life in the bayou. Hence, the apt album title. The music cuts a deep groove from slow, walking bass which gives many of the songs a haunting quality.
Creedence Clearwater Revival is another band to have decided to return to a simpler, more traditional form of rock and roll, although there are some psychedelic influences present. No matter, the band has done a wonderful job updating the rock and roll sound.
I didn't expect to enjoy this album that much. I was expecting vapid and superficial classic rock. (It's not their fault that subsequent bands would be inspired to produce that kind of music.) This album is far from it. It is some of purest and most honest rock and roll you'll ever hear. This album is worth listening to and is a must for any serious music collector.
I don't think there are any songs that are better than any other. All the songs are exceptional.
★★★★★★★★★★
