.: FuryRocks :: live_review :: Lynyrd_Skynyrd__A_night_to_remember

Published: 22 June 2009

Lynyrd Skynyrd – A night to remember

This was my first Lynyrd Skynyrd show. I arrived quite late to the Zénith so I missed the opening band... and Lynyrd Skynyrd's intro (I've been told it was Thunderstuck by AC/DC) and half of the first song (Working for MCA). The first ting I noticed as I got into the venue was that the sound was loud, very very loud. Yet it was also very well balanced and clear.

Another incredible thing to note was the number of people on stage! Watching Lynyrd Skynyrd live is live watching some kind of a rock orchestra. There were up to ten people on stage: 3 guitar players, a singer, a drummer, a bass player, a keyboard player... plus two chorists and a guy playing harmonica on a few songs. It was incredible, and they all had a good sound so instruments could be heard perfectly. The Zénith was almost full on that night. That was a surprise, even if Lynyrd Skynyrd haven't play in Paris for years. I expected less people, as there are so many concerts in Paris this June. So finally, Rock n'Roll is alive in this city!

The crowds were really into the show: singing the choruses, screaming between the songs, and waving Confederate Flags with the Lynyrd Skynyrd logo on them. Lynyrd Skynyrd's setlist was a pure best of. But they know they can't play all their hits, so they decided to play a 20 minute medley including songs like Needle And The Spoon and Tuesday's Gone.

Johnny Van Zant didn't make long speeches during the show. He always refered to the audience as "Paris France", instead of just "Paris". I guess he was happy to play here again. There was also only one reference on a speech to Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane accident. A moment to remember that this band carries on, even if they haven't always been lucky. Of course one of the most awaited moments was the mega hit Sweet Home Alabama. During that song a big fag appeared on the background: it was a split between the Confederate and the USA Flag.

The funny thing is that Sweet Home Alabama has the following line:
Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down.
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don't need him around anyhow.

And Neil Young was playing the night before at the Zénith in Paris. yes, same city, same venue, one night earlier. I didn't attend the show because I was watching Whitesnake live at the Casino de Paris, but I think it's a funny coincidence. Then they went backstage and returned for an encore: Freebird. They did a long version that will for sure last in the memory of everyone who attended.

My first Lynyrd Skynyrd show was a very good concert, and hope it won't be the last!

Tracking list:

01. Workin For MCA
02. I Ain't The One
03. Saturday Night Special
04. Gimme Back My Bullets
05. What's Your Name
06. That Smell
07. Simple Man
08. Medley:
Whisky Rockaroller
Down South Jukin
Needle and the Spoon
Double Trouble
Tuesday's Gone
09. Gimme Three Steps
10. Call Me The Breeze
11. Sweet Home Alabama
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13. Freebird