Published on Sep 1, 2001
The phrase “sophomore slump” is tossed around here at “The Daily
Vault” more often than a football at training camp. Usually,
whenever an artist or band experiences any kind of success with
their debut album, they always feel some kind of pressure to outdo
that success – and in turn, release an album that disappoints
critically and/or commercially.
In the case of Lynyrd Skynyrd, their dictionary must have left
that phrase out, because
Second Helping, their 1974 release, could well be one of
their best albums, sitting on the shelf next to
Street Survivors for that honor. Bringing back bassist Leon
Wilkeson into the fold after
Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd was recorded, the group was
firing on all cylinders and had learned many lessons, both from
that first album and the accalim that followed. (Note: I’m
reviewing my ancient vinyl copy; the album has since been re-issued
on CD with three bonus tracks.)
You can sum up
Second Helping in three words: “Sweet Home Alabama”. Quite
possibly the most recognized song in Skynyrd’s catalog (next to
“Free Bird”), this song captures the band’s Southern roots while
holding onto their rock sensibility the best. It’s been 27 years
since this song was recorded, and with the exception of the
Watergate references, this track doesn’t seem to have aged at all.
It still crackles with energy, and the wrong-key solo from
guitarist Ed King (he admitted later down the road he played it in
“G”, when the song was in the key of “D”) is still an amazing slice
of six-string work.
But
Second Helping is so much more. Continuing on the “mind
altering substances are bad” theme started by “Poison Whiskey,”
“The Needle And The Spoon” delivers a powerful anti-drug message
that is still meaningful today. “Workin’ For MCA” could be seen as
a bitch-slap against their label at the time or as a partial praise
for someone taking a chance on them; either way, it’s a fun song to
listen to, even today when the band is long removed from those
days.
Lynyrd Skynyrd even dares to use a song written outside of the
band – thus giving J.J. Cale’s “Call Me The Breeze” new life, and
calling attention to a songwriter you might not have otherwise
heard about, Eric Clapton’s covers notwithstanding. Billy Powell’s
piano work helps to seal the deal, both on this song and “Sweet
Home Alabama”‘s outro.
The lessons concerning the blues from
Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd are well learned on
Second Helping, from their cover of “Call Me The Breeze” to
the funky down-home style of “Swamp Music”. Two words: well done!
“I Need You” isn’t strictly a blues song, but it definitely has
soulful moments which suck the listener in. It might not be the
band’s best-known song, but it’s still a powerful piece of
work.
Yes, I could still talk about the two songs we haven’t
mentioned, “Don’t Ask Me No Questions” (dealing with fame when the
boys came home) and “The Ballad Of Curtis Loew” (detailing how the
love of music was instilled in our heroes), but I think you get the
point.
Second Helping is a solid album from note one to the last
drum fill that closes the disc.
If I could only have one Lynyrd Skynyrd album in my collection,
I’d have a very hard time choosing between
Street Survivors and
Second Helping. In fact, I don’t want to choose. I want them
both. Bury me with them. Is this album
that good? Oh, yeah.