These two new albums by two long serving bands seek to show two different approaches to middle-age. Lynyrd Skynyrd have come out with a fiery new live concert CD, Live from Freedom Hall, which also includes the concert on DVD. It’s a retrospective look at their career, and has all the tunes you might hope for…if you wait long enough, and yell nice and loud…they’ll even serve up “Free Bird”. Los Lobos’ Tin Can Trust is an all new studio album. Of course they’ve been touring too, playing the hits and introducing the new stuff. So how do the two releases measure up?
Skynyrd has been around since 1973. They recently suffered the loss of their namesake, high school gym teacher Leonard Skinner, but they’re a band that has suffered loss throughout their career. They broke up in ’77 when a plane crash killed original singer Ronnie Van Zant (as well as Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines.) The Rossington-Collins Band emerged from the ashes in 1980, and they too met tragedy when Allen Collins crashed his car, killing his girlfriend and leaving him paralyzed (he died four years later). In 1987 they put Skynyrd back together and included Ronnie’s brother Johnny Van-Zant. A few more changes through the years led us to the current band which features Johnny Van-Zant (vocals), alongside original members Billy Powell (keyboards) and Gary Rossington (lead guitar) and an expanded cast. Rickey Medlocke (lead guitar), Ean Evans (bass), Michael Cartellone (drums), Mark Matejka (guitar), with Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase singing backup. (Both Powell and Evans have since passed away although they are represented here.)
The album features hits like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Call Me the Breeze,” “That Smell” and “Give Me Back My Bullets” as well as some less familiar but equally rockin’ tunes. They’re all done professionally and the band provides the Southern boogie that is required. It’s not my favourite style of music, but these guys serve it up well.
Los Lobos, on the other hand, were formed in 1978 and began their career playing acoustic instruments and celebrating their Mexican heritage in East L.A. They got a big break when they blended the energy of punk rock with their traditional bent, and created one of the all time great debuts with …And a Time to Dance. Only an EP, but it was produced by T Bone Burnett and saxman from the Blasters, Steve Berlin. Berlin became part of the band, T Bone went on to great success, and Los Lobos have grown ever since. They have never been afraid to experiment, or to rock out. Sometimes on the same song. The group members have stayed the same since Berlin joined in 1984. Cesar Rosas (guitar, vocals), David Hidalgo (guitar, violin, accordion, vocals), Louie Perez (guitar, drums, vocals) and Conrad Lozano (bass, vocals). They’ve been together for decades, and they sound like it. Each member knows exactly what his role is, and where the others will be.
Susan Tedeschi makes a guest appearance singing on the opener “Burn It Down”. Cesar shines on the two Spanish language tracks, “Yo Canto” and “Mujer Ingrata.” They cover a Grateful Dead tune, “West L.A. Fadeaway” and lay on the guiter for “Do the Murray” and “All My Bridges Burning”. They are an amazing band, able to play in any number of styles, but always maintaining a freshness, and a sound that is unmistakeably Los Lobos. It’s good to hear them recover from their last album of Disney songs, (although, their inherent musicianship made that one of interest as well). Tin Can Trust is a keeper.
Two bands, both with roots in the 70s, still rockin’ out…owning their own little parcel of land. It does the heart good!
(Roadrunner Records, 2010)
(SHOUT! Factory, 2010)
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