I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd last night at Musikfest. It was the best Riverplace concert I've ever seen in over ten years. The layered guitars of Rossington, Medlocke and Matejka were a feast for the ears, and sometimes the eyes as when showman Rickey Medlocke played with his teeth!

Gary Rossington was my favorite, hi...s solos sounding EXACTLY like they did on 1973's "pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd" LP. Johnny Van Zant's soulful yet powerful vocals proved he's still a great singer and his smile and friendliness immediately won over the crowd of Eastern PA Yankees. Meahwhile, he was so wowed by the audience response, that at one point, he said, "Damn, you folks sing your *sses off!"

Newcomers Robert Kearns (bass) and "Keys" Pisarczyk (keyboards), along with drummer Michael Cartellone supplied an awesome rhythm section that pounded out one towering Southern Rock anthem after another. Thank God they inserted slower numbers like "Tuesdays Gone" here and there or the crowd would have keeled-over from over-exertion.

The show was a simple, unbridled, unpretentious celebration from the moment Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage (promptly at 8:30). Nobody sat in their seat the entire time, and everyone knew it was time to go home after a single encore. After all, once you hear a 12-minute Freebird, what's left?

Lynyrd Skynyrd probably offended some people with their 50-odd mentionings of God, their pride and support of the USA and the fact that their new CD is entitled "God & Guns", but you couldn't tell from the 7,500 person crowd who sang every lyric.

I gotta see Lynyrd Skynyrd next time they come to town!

@ ASMURF: I was there as well. I posted a review of the concert on the boards. I am glad you mentioned the attendance, I was unsure of it. I would love for LS to hit the east coast (del,nj,pa,) more often. The show was unforgettable.


to the nation stay frosty.