Confederate flags were flying at ParkWest Wednesday as loud and loyal fans Greeted the return of Lynyrd Skynyrd with something resembling a welcome-back rebel yell and lots of foot-stomping enthusiasm.
Introduced as "the people who invented Southern rock 'n' roll," Lynyrd Skynyrd got rolling with a thunder-and-lightning introduction and stormy rendition of "Smokestack Lightning" that let everyone know "we're back!"But, if it began spectacularly, the concert ended on a more impressive nostalgic, even tender, note, as the band sang - yes, sang - what may be called its theme song - "Free Bird" as a tribute to the group's co-founder, Ronnie Van Zant, who died 14 years ago in an airplane crash. Traditionally, the band has played the song but left the singing to the audience.
In between, their fans got more than 100 minutes of pure Southern rock - as only Lynyrd Skynyrd can give them.
If you know the old Lynyrd Skynyrd, you wouldn't call it a socially conscious group with any kind of serious overtones. What it has always been, however, is a group that entertains - a "happy hard-rock" band that combines country themes and sounds and makes you a kid again - if you're not one any more. And, what's more, the group makes you enjoy it the second time around.
Of course, if you ARE a kid, listening to the 20-year-old group with ears brought up on rock that's just as hard and not as happy, you're enjoying Lynyrd for the first time. Then you know the group is familiar with the troubles of the world. Listening to their performance Wednesday night was a rousing experience either way.
They delivered "That Smell," one of the group's "songs with a message" from earlier days, and "I've Seen Enough" carried a powerful message about frustrations with the state of the world.
So, while Lynyrd Skynyrd is continuing to be a "happy hard-rock" band, it's also a group with a heart.
At ParkWest, Lynyrd's audience was mostly younger. A group with an infectious spirit that reflected the band's enthusiasm. Everybody was just happy to be there.
ParkWest gave the beloved Southern-rock group a real Southern-hospitality welcome, and Lynyrd rewarded them with its trademark sounds that blend rock, blues with the band's country roots. Its triple-guitar attack and friendly, charismatic way of involving the audience made it a down-home kind of night.
Drums, played by longtime Lynyrd member Artimus Pyle, gave the band even more percussion, a stronger, bigger sound.
The old magic of "Smokestack Lightning" left no doubt that Lynyrd has retained its original sound - with a new edge. Other killer songs like "Keeping the Faith" and "Southern Women" had the group's loyal fans jumping.
Other songs like "What's Your Name" and "Give Me Three Steps" were vintage Lynyrd, along with "Mr. Saturday Night Special," "You Got That Right" and "Be a Simple Man" - their favorite Southern-rock ballad.
After giving the audience "Sweet Home Alabama," the band left the stage, but their fans refused to leave without hearing "Free Bird" and loudly demanded it until the group returned for the sentimental finale.