Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers Band?

[Ilash]

So, which of these two southern rock giants do you prefer? Please note, I am not including post Ronnie Van Sandt Lynyrd Skynyrd (the band DIED in that plane crash!) and keep it to classic years Allmans.

I may only own one album each (and heard of a bunch of other songs) from these two southern rock giants so I hardly am an expert on them. In fact one of the reasons I'm starting this thread is to get a bit more information about what other albums I should get my hands on from these two bands (I own Pronounced and Brothers and Sisters). Regardless, here's my basic take.

Songwriting. Now, it would seem, that neither of these bands exactly possessed a Paul McCartney to write the songs for them but you can hardly just write them off. The Allmans were very bluesy and as such it seems that much of their stuff was based on straight blues melodies and though their music is hardly unmemorable (far from it) they seem to rely more on arrangements and production and great performances than the actual melodies. Skynyrd were more of a straight out rock band and as such probably had to rely on hookiness more than the Allmans did. Based on pronounced itself, they come across as a hyper-accessible (the Allmans aren't so easy to "get" IMHO), very catchy but rather stylistically limited band (worse than the Allmans though? I'm not sure). All in all, I would say that Skynyrd win this one.

Instrumentation. However much I consider Skynyrd to be the obvious winner in the songwriting stakes, the Allmans win this one for sure. Admittedly, Brothers and Sisters came out after Duane Allman died but even without him, the Allmans still win. Besides, I have heard some of his guitar playing so that just makes their case even stronger. I don't really need to get into specifics here but unless I'm missing something here every member of the Allmans was GREAT at his respective instrument, not just on some dry technical level but more importantly on a pure ear-grabbing, heart-capturing, breath-taking level too. Not that Skynyrd weren't great either mind you but they just weren't quite on the same level here. Also, as a semi-aside, I just want to mention the difference in sound between the two because of their instrumentation. The Allmans had two drummers so their resulting sound always strikes me as being more dense, almost claustrophobic while Skynyrd's three guitarists create a more luxurious, spacey sound. Just another reason why the world needed both bands. The Allmans win in this case though.

Vocals: The Allmans had Greg Allman who was a fine singer but he doesn't even come close to the awesomeness that is Ronnie Van Sandt's singing style. Skynyrd win easily over here.


In the end, for me, the winner is definitely Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Allman's definitely put on a hell of a fight and their are times when I'd rather listen to them but Skynyrd's more "digestable" style means that I don't really need to be in a specific mood to enjoy them like I do for the Allmans. Pronounced took me all of one listen to win me over, Brothers and Sisters has taken about eight. More importantly though, I just think that Skynyrd had better songwriting and more enjoyable songs so I like them more. Simple as that.



Just as an aside, I know that many are turned off these bands because the whole "redneck" feel of southern rock is a huge turn off but for me, as long as its kept within limits and feels more laidback than "offensively conservative" then I don't mind at all. What do all of you think?

[Core]

I have to go with Skynyrd. The Allman Bros have some definite good tunes to their credit, but when I think of mean quality of overall output, I think that Skynyrd has them beat.

[Core]

Oh yeah, also, I totally agree with this statement:

Just as an aside, I know that many are turned off these bands because the whole "redneck" feel of southern rock is a huge turn off but for me, as long as its kept within limits and feels more laidback than "offensively conservative" then I don't mind at all. What do all of you think?

I don't much care for didacticism in my rock music.

[Alex]

Theres a reason jackasses the world over (including howy...including me when im drunk) yell "PLAY SOME SKYNARD!" or "FREEBIRD!!!!" at random concerts, and not "PLAY SOME ALLMAN BROTHERS! PLAY EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN!"

[leonaozaki]

Go get EAT A PEACH.

And then ask yourself, "How did I ever think Skynyrd was better than the Allmans?"

Maybe it's just because I live in Tennessee but I am sick to my eyeteeth of Skynyrd. Good band, I have their greatest hits, but good God I don't I'll ever need to play it. The Allmans win, hand down. Although I do have to give credit to Skynyrd for responding to Neil Young's "Southern Man," in "Sweet Home Alabama," without which we would not have Zevon's "Play It All Night Long."

Appropriate Warren Zevon reference: How sad is it that BAD LUCK STREAK IN DANCING SCHOOL isn't available on CD yet?

I can't hear "Play It All Night Long" whenever I want to. You know, the one that goes:

"Sweet Home Alabama,
Play that dead band's song.
Turn the record up full blast,
play it all night long."

Also, Ronnie Van Zandt gets cool points for reportedly being buried in his TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT shirt.

rob

[Royal]

Skynard.

The Allman's have no respect for music.

[Valmore]

Like Alex said... there's a reason why people constantly shout, "Play some Skynyrd!"

Though I prefer to shout, "Play Smoke On the Water, dudes!"

[Dennis K]

The Allmans were certainly more blues oriented than Skynyrd was, but I'm going to have to vote for Skynyrd. As much as I like some good guitar jamming, I prefer it in the context of a song, not just jamming for jamming sake, which is something the Allmans are guilty of.

[Alex]

Like Alex said... there's a reason why people constantly shout, "Play some Skynyrd!"

Though I prefer to shout, "Play Smoke On the Water, dudes!"
Thats hilarious if you yell it after a band plays crappily.

[Deathstroke]

You should have a fourth option. Can't Decide.

I don't own albums from either, but I listen to them all the time on the radio.

By the way, while not on the same legendary plateau, .38 Special ain't too shabby either.

I'm doing a review of their newest CD in the next installment of my column.

[Adam Crocker]

Skynard.

The Allman's have no respect for music.

Have no respect for music? The hell? :confused:

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Lynyrd Skynyrd wins this one hands down. They are just Southern Rock. In fact once the 1st guitar licks of Sweet Home Alabama start up , you know It. Or when Freebird starts up. Those songs have became a part of the music landscape for a reason.

[Jonathan Bogart]

Allmans. And Ilash, listen to "Whipping Post" or "One Way Out" before you start talking smack about Gregg Allman's voice. He has it all over any Van Zandt ever.

Skynyrd is too hard-rock for me, too glossy, too stadium-oriented. I vastly prefer the much more rootsy, polyrhythmic, jazzy Allmans. Let me put it this way: I've never, even during any performance of "Freebird," thought any member of Lynyrd Skynyrd was playing their heart and soul out. Whereas it's a common ocurrence when listening to the Allmans. (It's usually Duane or Dickie, sometimes Gregg.)

I don't have anything against Lynyrd Skynyrd, really; I like them a whole lot. I just like the Allmans a lot better.

I'd call the Marshall Tucker Band the third member of the Great Southern Rock Triumvirate, by the way, not .38 Special or Molly Hatchet or the Outlaws or whoever.

[Royal]

Have no respect for music? The hell? :confused:

Greg Allman was on several commitees to denounce and get rid of Rap on unsubstanciated reasons. Like Kid Rock with Radiohead.

Plus "I'm No Angel" just blatently screams "I'm a dumb white honkey ladies! Do me now!"

[Jonathan Bogart]

Okay, so Gregg himself may not be the brightest bulb in the barrel, and his solo stuff sucks -- that makes the band's music bad how?

[Adam Crocker]

Greg Allman was on several commitees to denounce and get rid of Rap on unsubstanciated reasons. Like Kid Rock with Radiohead.

Ah. Know where I can read up on this or the names of any of these committees?

Mind you whether a performer is an idiot, fool, or a jerk means very little to me in regards to their music, case in point David Bowie's enthusiastic, coke-fuelled endorsement of fascism in between Station To Station and Low, or Lou Reed's behaviour in general.

For what it's worth I'm with John in prefering the Allmans, though I haven't heard much by either band though probably more of the Allmans than Skynrd. I just find the Allman Brothers' music (namely around their peak era of the early 70s, but ESPECIALLY when Duane Allman was still alive) to be much more interesting. Skynyrd's good southern hardrock from what I heard, but the Allman brothers just seem to have more raw grit and energy going for them. And their virtuosity means they got more going on their music. (Which is probably why Royal's statement tripped me, because whatever Gregg Allman's myopic attitudes towards rap music he, and the rest of the band certainly seem to know blues, country, rock, and even some jazz-derived polyrhythms.)

Okay, and I confess a weakness for Duane Allman's shit-hot slide guitar playing...hell shit-hot slide blues guitar in general, straight or rock.

And I especially like shit-hot blues soloing alongside virtousic organ playing. http://www.issue9mm.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif

Plus "I'm No Angel" just blatently screams "I'm a dumb white honkey ladies! Do me now!"

Haven't heard that one yet, but its his solo stuff so I suppose that's a different matter.

And kudos to John for mentioning "The Whipping Post."

[Royal]

Ah. Know where I can read up on this or the names of any of these committees?



I'd love to help you man, but I can remember for the life of me. I read about the commitee around the late 90's & I was into the music watchdog groups. I think it was '99. Anyway, there was so many things happening at the time, I never paid attention to details. I do know he did testify somewhere with C. Dolores.

[Grant]

Theres a reason jackasses the world over (including howy...including me when im drunk) yell "PLAY SOME SKYNARD!" or "FREEBIRD!!!!" at random concerts

Seriously this needs to stop. I think security at concerts should be given permission to beat the living shit out of people who do this.

[Ilash]

Allmans. And Ilash, listen to "Whipping Post" or "One Way Out" before you start talking smack about Gregg Allman's voice. He has it all over any Van Zandt ever.


I've got One Way Out on the soundtrack to Almost Famous (only soundtrack I own but it's great - a perfect introduction to early seventies music, in fact) and, yes, it rules mightily but nope, Van Sandt is still easily my pick for better singer.

[Ilash]

Go get EAT A PEACH.

And then ask yourself, "How did I ever think Skynyrd was better than the Allmans?"



I have every intention of getting Eat a Peach but it's a double album so it's actually a bit on the expensive side for me. But correct me if I'm wrong doesn't that album have a 35 minute long (!!!) jam called "Mountain Jam" on it and come on, that is a little bit scary considering it takes a lot just to make a ten minute long jam interesting.

[Hiromi]

I prefer Skynyrd as I've heard more by them(and frankly I think the post plane crash stuff isn't all that bad).

[howyadoin]

Seriously this needs to stop. I think security at concerts should be given permission to beat the living shit out of people who do this.From here on in, whenever I yell Play some Skynyyyyyyyyyyrd!!!, I'll do it just for you.

[Pedalhome]

I like both of these groups but I prefer the "bluesier" feel of the Allman Bros. music. That and the fact that Duane Allman was a God.

[kmeyers]

Blue Sky alone beats most Skynard songs.

[JeffreyWKramer]

I have a very slight preference for the Allmans over Skynyrd, due mainly to their more blues-tinged sound, but both were quality acts.

[The Wayner]

Molly Hatchet would take these bands out behind the woodshed, where Jim Dandy and his merry band of Ozark pranksters in Black Oak Arkansas would be waiting with their washboards... :D

[Arrjay]

Allman Brothers. I have my reasons.

[howyadoin]

Skynyrd is too hard-rock for me, too glossy, too stadium-oriented.Never heard "The Ballad of Curtis Loew", I take it?

[Trucker Belt]

Skynyrd! I love both but Skynyrd is just too good.

[jessecuster]

Blue Sky alone beats most Skynard songs.


I was going to say this exact same thing.

Skynyrd is pop music and Allman Brothers is Rock ! Skynyrd has 3 minute gems with verse chorus verse, while the Allmans are complex and have varied song structures.

In my book, there is no comparison between these 2.

[Watchman]

Free Bird alone makes Lynyrd Skynyrd one of the greatest bands ever. And Sweet Home Alabama.

But not only that, Lynyrd Skynyrd appeals more to me, dunno why.

Allman Bros. are still good.

[CaptMagellan]

Skynyrd is easier to rock out to but in my opinion the Allman Brothers were a far better band - technically and artistically - than Skynyrd.

Listening to how they took certain songs that would be ok, but predictable, using standard 12 bar blues format and then completely modifying it so that, while still recognizable as blues influenced, is something fresh that no one else has done quite like that.

"Whipping Post" is a perfect example of that. The time signature, the use of certain chromatic elements, etc. show them at their artistic best.