Southern rock was big during the seventies and LYNYRD SKYNYRD was one of the forerunners in this genre. Many musicians have been influenced by this great band and at Decades Rock Arena they invited some of their fellow southern american artists to do a show together. We will hear and see mostly their own material of course, but also a cover each from the other ones, as well as a cool interview. They have fun during this session and the guest artists are also there to answer some questions.
The production ”Live In Atlantic City” becomes a kind of delightful exchange and teamwork with mostly the seventies represented. 

The group has sadly lost several members over the years, even after the tragic aircraft accident 1977. Now they mourn another one, guitarist and songwriter Ed King (member 1972 - 1975 and 1987 - 1996), who recently passed away. He was one of the composers of the hit "Sweet Home Alabama" and a couple of the other songs that are included in this live production. In 2006 he and the band got a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I'm impressed by them, because despite all tragedies their music is full of joy and good energy. But I guess that they also think that when you are feeling down, then nothing helps so much like music. Just let it run through your body and mind to feel comforted.
The concert was recorded June 23, 2006, so here we can see a couple of bandmembers again who are no longer with us. Even though many years has passed between recording and releasing the timing is good, because just before summer their current “Farewell Tour” started.
The material is released in various forms, including CD, vinyl and DVD. Some things get better when you see the concert, but the best is to just listen.

After first only hearing this concert I pictured it differently, with more action. The singer first gives a little tired impression and doesn’t move so much. It brings down the energy and does not give the same great feeling as when you just hear the music. It is later weighed up by his happy smile and that he still creates some contact with the audience. Johnny Van Zant gets more and more enthusiasm when the guest artists come on stage, one by one. Towards the end the rock energy spreads mostly to one of the guitarists, Rickey Medlocke (also a member in BLACKFOOT), who then really shows a lot of activity.

Invited artist BO BICE enter the stage barefoot and together with LYNYRD SKYNYRD he makes his hit "The Real Thing" to something much more than a thing from TV-show “American Idol”, where he many years ago participated and went to the final. He has recorded several albums since then and if SKYNYRD needs a new member, just pick this guy. With an amazing big sound behind him, this song reached new heights.
It was a great honor for Bice to stand on stage with his idols and with a spark in his eyes, he performs even better in their awesome "Gimme Back My Bullets". This is real music and blues rock at its best.

It’s nothing wrong with loving your country, but the american flag appears a little too often. This patriotism does not have to be shown over and over again. Then there’s a risk that it becomes a bit disturbing or embarrassing.
If you walk away from the TV letting the music matters and nothing else, at least I become very happy from the sparkling tones from the piano and the harmonious music fills me with both energy and calm at the same time.
Of course, some things are better to experience while watching, like when next visiting entertainer HANK WILLIAMS JR is involved. He is cheerful and makes everybody smile and even if country is no favorite, I stay in front of the TV.
”I was born to boogie!” he says, and that is true, considering his father with the same name except JR. The funny Hank makes everyone in a good mood and he even gets guitarist Gary Rossington to show a smile. If you only listen during the own song of this country musician, it's like walking into a bar in Nashville. This "old-man-rock" gets help to swing by trumpet and saxophones, as well as background vocals by Carol Chase and Rossingtons wife Dale. You can wear your Sunday soft pants and dance around at home in peace and quiet to comfortable honkey tonk music.

”Been there, done that, we’re never going back again” says 3 DOORS DOWN when their part begins with the main players in "That Smell". Medlockes brilliant guitar playing is seductive. Together with Billy Powells hard and powerful beat on the piano keys it sounds absolutely fantastic.
The guys in the visiting band bring a touch of gloomy grunge with their own song, but everything seems to be better on stage when the legendary host band joins and makes a new version.
Then the younger group is left alone and they make a cover on "Saturday Night Special" with thick heavy riffs just as good as the original ones. As listeners and audience, we get what we want. Close your eyes and feel the rhythm of the drums and the guitars. Here you will find improvisation and musical instruments that answer each other. The interaction and the exchanges between the musicians are very good. Together with the first guest artist, they may in the future be able to take over the baton from their idols timeless band and let it all be discovered by younger generations.

This is music that flirts with the listener and it also shows on the audience when they are smiling big while giving a round of applause. The live feeling appears even more on the disc in for example "Gimme Three Steps". They keep it uptempo and give the listener an energy boost of joy.
The Guys have fun on stage and create a good contact with the people in the crowd. The joy of playing is clearly visible on the pianist Powell and at this time new guitarist Mark Matejka. Devoted smiles while delivering a lot of rhythm and blues, like in "Workin 'For MCA".
The cool man in black cowboy hat plays slide guitar occasionally. Rossington has been a member of the band since the start. Together with Mark and Rickey, LYNYRD SKYNYRD gets its special rich guitar sound.

Towards the end of the concert, all the artists gather to play and sing together. "We wanna make a party out of it!" says Van Zant. An exhilarated atmosphere fills the air both on stage and among the audience. The pianist plays the tunes in a professional manner and a wonderful improvise among the participants makes the crowd full of happiness.
The man behind the microphone puts on a cap back and forth and after some teaser tones, some form of euphoria occurs when the expectant audience gets to enjoy the two biggest classics "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". The first one feels a little bit worn out, but it is after all well-made and many would probably be disappointed if especially this one was cut out from setlist. The other can be seen as a typical example of the groups three-guitar sound and, as on their first album, it also finish this event in its long majesty. As always when the singer asks the fans what they want to hear, there are many who scream out the name of exactly the last mentioned composition.
A bit in front of, but still along the stage, goes a catwalk with some of the crowd in between. It's best when all three guitarists and bassist Ean Evans walks out on this path to play solo or jamming together, just like in the final number. We are invited to a crescendo in the art of handle a guitar and the whole place is about to lift. Also add that Michael Cartellone plays wildly on the drums and Billy is so skilled on the piano that he does not even need to see how he plays, and instead lean his head back while letting the music take over.

The interview is an extra bonus on DVD and Blu-ray, but only four minutes long, which feels too short.
Be prepared for the actual concert experience to be a bit chopped off sometimes as there are fast cuts. Especially during the interview, it is very fast cuts and therefore feels a bit speedy. Not always satisfaction when trying to be as modern as possible.
They still have time to say a lot anyway, and for instance we get the answers to how it felt like standing on stage together, what about their song structure make the pieces still maintain the quality, and the difference between LYNYRD SKYNYRD in the seventies and today.
Frontman Brad Arnold in 3 DOORS DOWN says ”a great song stays around forever”.
Johnny have another time said “there’s nothing like getting out there, playing a great show with Skynyrd and seeing people love this music”. They will be missed, but their music will of course live on. (Anna)

Bewertung:

 8 / 10

Anzahl der Songs: 13
Spielzeit: ca. 75 min (DVD) / ca. 69 min (CD)
Label: earMUSIC
Veröffentlichungstermin: 21.09.2018