When it comes to Southern Rock, it is a genre that is known, but very underrated. This style of rock was at its peek in the 70's and early 80's. However, by 1990 most of these bands were reduced to having a cult following. Even worse is that many of the musicians who got the genre to its peek have past away. Most recently is Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. Some bands such as Lynryd Skynyrd, and the Allman Brothers Band have been able to secure their place in music history, even getting inducted in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. However, many of these bands have been forgotten. I would like to bring some of these bands and their music to light by giving 5 of the greatest Southern Rock songs.
5. Jessica by The Allman Brothers Band
While the Allman Brother Band has great vocal songs such as Ramblin Man and Midnight Rider, nothing compares to the band's brilliant instrumental song, Jessica. Written by the band's guitarist, Dickey Betts, this song showcases the band's unique melodic guitar solo's and brilliant music composition. The melodic guitar work all through out the song sounds amazing and the slight twang sound creates something that makes this song really stand out. The other great element to this song is the amazing piano solo. Chuck Leavell, who joined the band after Duane Allman past away, delivers a great piano solo with a slight jazz feel to it that really took the band in an area musically they haven't really gone to much before. This is a true stand out song for this band and one you need to listen to.
4. Train Train by Blackfoot
Blackfoot is without a doubt one of the loudest and most energetic bands of the Southern Rock genre. In some parts of the world these guys are actually considered a metal band. With a song like Train Train you can see why. The song was written by Shorty Medlocke, grandfather of the bands frontman, Ricky Medlocke. From the catchy heavy opening guitar riff to the slide guitar solo, this song has a ton of great guitar work in it. Another thing this song does really well is combining the heavy rock n roll and southern feel to truly creates a really unique sounding song that would make them their own unique entity. No other Southern Rock band has sounded like them before or after this, making them almost a one of a kind band. A song for Southern Rock and Metal fans alike.
3. Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Considered to be one of the greatest Southern Rock bands of all time, Lynyrd Skynyrd has a long list of hits and great songs. One of my favorite songs from this band is Gimme Three Steps. According to guitartist Gary Rossington, this song is based on an actual event that happened to the bands singer, Ronnie Van Zant at a bar called The Little Brown Jug. After the event the two men, along with guitarist Allen Collins went home and wrote the song. This is without a doubt one of the most fun sounding songs I have ever heard, even though the event it is based on is anything but fun. The opening guitar riff really hooks you and gets you into the song. Then Gary Rossington bust out that awesome guitar solo, leading into the verse. Ronnie Van Zant's voice really adds to fun sound this song goes for. The way he sings many of the lyrics in this song and the way he interacts during transitions creates a good fun southern sound that not many singers can duplicate. All of Gary Rossington's lead guitar work in this song is excellent. The combination of the string bending with the distortion really works well. This is one song that is worth being in Lynyrd Skynyrd's greatest hits list.
2. Cant You See by Marshall Tucker Band
The Marshall Tucker Band were at the peek of their fame in the 70's. With songs like Searchin' for a Rainbow, This Ol Cowboy, and Fire on the Mountain, this band has a huge catalog of great songs that makes them one of the most underrated bands of the genre. One of the biggest songs and rightfully so is the classic Cant You See. While Doug Gray normally is the bands singer, this song is sung by the bands lead guitarist, Toy Caldwell. This song clearly demonstrates that Toy Caldwell is also a great vocalist, with a baritone voice that really works for this song. The instrumental sections of this song is also worth noting. The flute used in the intro is a great build to the opening guitar solo. Another interesting thing about this song is Toy Caldwell's guitar playing. While most guitar players play with a pick, he plays with his thumb. This is a very unique style of playing I haven't seen anyone else do. Another unique thing is does is that instead of a whammy bar he bends the string at the guitar's bridge. Toy Caldwell is also great at bending the strings when he is soloing. Bending a string on a guitar incorrectly can really make a solo sound weird and out of place, but Toy Caldwell knows how to do it good and as a result makes one of the most unique guitar solos in Southern Rock.
1. There Goes Another Love Song by The Outlaws
The Outlaws are without a doubt the most underrated of all the Southern Rock bands. There Goes Another Love Song is one song that really showcases this bands musical talents best. The first thing I would like to point out is Hughie Thomasson as a singer. The guy has a really unique voice that naturally works well with the Southern Rock genre. His unique vocals really stand out in this bands music and it something that really helps this band get recognized when you hear them. Billy Jones also does a great job as a supporting vocalist in this song. However, the real element that makes this song unique is the guitar playing of Hughie Thomasson and Billy Jones. These two guys should have gone down in history as one of the greatest guitar duos of all time. While Billy Jones was more of a distorted guitarist, Hughie Thomasson was a clean guitarist. You can tell this in the guitars these guys are playing. Billy Jones is playing a Gibson Les Paul with Humbucker pick ups. This gives a naturally more distorted sound that is more heavy sounding. If you look at Hughie Thomasson, he is playing a Fender Stratocastor with Single Coil pickups. This set up gives off a very clean sound that is lighter. These two guys take very different set ups, yet they blend them together so well. Hughie Thomasson uses his clean sound to create a cool twang sound that his guitar gives off when he is soloing. Billy Jones and his distortion to create some cool sounds when he plays fast, and when he is bending the distortion really enhances that bend to create unique sound not common at the time. These two guys are great guitar players and deserve much more credit then they have gotten. While this is my favorite song from this band, they have a huge catalog of great music. Check them out on Spotify or Pandora and if you like, don't hesitate to get their music.
Nice reviews Cameron. Good insight!!
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