Second Helping

In the early-mid seventies, Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged from the southern United States, and quickly built up a following as one of the best classic souther rock acts out there. Their first album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd was nothing short of excellent, and the follow-up album was released the following year. How does the band's sophomore effort, appropriately entitled Second Helping, measure up? Read on for my review.

As you have seen from the tracklist, some of the band's biggest hits emerged from this album. Sweet Home Alabama, their undisputed biggest hit of all, originated here. It's an excellent song, however it gave fans the impression that the band came from Alabama when in actuality they were from Florida. Oh well, that doesn't lower the song's quality any. J.J. Cale's boogie-style rocker, Call Me The Breeze, also gained a good deal of popularity, and has since become another classic. It's really no surprise it remains a fan favorite! And then, of course, we have Don't Ask Me No Questions (an alternative version of this song was released as a single.) In my opinion, this song has some of the best lyrics ever found in a rock and roll song - give it a listen, and see what I mean. The non-hits featured here are by no means bad though - they are underrated masterpieces that must be heard to be appreciated. Needle And The Spoon and The Ballad Of Curtis Loew are excellent tracks that you really need to listen to to be able to fully appreciate - my words can't do them justice. In the end you are left with an excellent sophomore effort you'd have to be a fool not to love.

The remastered edition of the album gives you expanded liner notes, better sound quality, and most importantly of all - bonus tracks. In addition to two rare studio session, you get the tough to come by single mix of Don't Ask Me No Questions. This version of the song isn't too different from its LP counterpart, although it does have more piano usage. The other two studio sessions are excellent, too.

Overall, Second Helping is one hell of a sophomore effort, and it is every bit as good as the band's debut album. If you're a fan of classic/southern rock, Skynyrd's second album is more than worthy of a place in your

In the early-mid seventies, Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged from the southern United States, and quickly built up a following as one of the best classic souther rock acts out there. Their first album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd was nothing short of excellent, and the follow-up album was released the following year. How does the band's sophomore effort, appropriately entitled Second Helping, measure up? Read on for my review.

As you have seen from the tracklist, some of the band's biggest hits emerged from this album. Sweet Home Alabama, their undisputed biggest hit of all, originated here. It's an excellent song, however it gave fans the impression that the band came from Alabama when in actuality they were from Florida. Oh well, that doesn't lower the song's quality any. J.J. Cale's boogie-style rocker, Call Me The Breeze, also gained a good deal of popularity, and has since become another classic. It's really no surprise it remains a fan favorite! And then, of course, we have Don't Ask Me No Questions (an alternative version of this song was released as a single.) In my opinion, this song has some of the best lyrics ever found in a rock and roll song - give it a listen, and see what I mean. The non-hits featured here are by no means bad though - they are underrated masterpieces that must be heard to be appreciated. Needle And The Spoon and The Ballad Of Curtis Loew are excellent tracks that you really need to listen to to be able to fully appreciate - my words can't do them justice. In the end you are left with an excellent sophomore effort you'd have to be a fool not to love.

The remastered edition of the album gives you expanded liner notes, better sound quality, and most importantly of all - bonus tracks. In addition to two rare studio session, you get the tough to come by single mix of Don't Ask Me No Questions. This version of the song isn't too different from its LP counterpart, although it does have more piano usage. The other two studio sessions are excellent, too.

Overall, Second Helping is one hell of a sophomore effort, and it is every bit as good as the band's debut album. If you're a fan of classic/southern rock, Skynyrd's second album is more than worthy of a place in your collection.