Personnel: Ronnie Van Zant (vocals); Al Kooper (acoustic guitar, piano, organ, Mellotron, Moog synthesizer, bass, background vocals); Ed King (guitar, slide guitar, bass); Gary Rossington (guitar, slide guitar); Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Jeff Carlisi (guitar); Bobby Keys, Trevor Lawrence, Steve Madaio (horns); Billy Powell (piano, keyboards); Leon Wilkeson (bass, background vocals); Greg Walker (bass); Artimus Pyle (drums, percussion); Bob Burns, Robert Nix (drums); Rickey Medlocke (drums, background vocals); Bobbi Hall (percussion); Clydie King, Merry Clayton, Leslie Hawkins, Cassie Gaines, Jo Billingsley, Tim Smith, The Honnicutts (background vocals).
Includes liner notes by Ron O'Brien.
Digitally remastered by Doug Schwart.
Personnel: Ed King (guitar, slide guitar); Gary Rossington, Jeff Carlisi, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines (guitar); Al Kooper (acoustic guitar, piano, organ, Mellotron, Moog synthesizer, background vocals); Trevor Lawrence, Bobby Keys (horns); Artimus Pyle (double bass, percussion); Leon Wilkeson (bass guitar, background vocals); Greg T. Walker (bass guitar); Bob Burns , Robert Nix (drums); Cassie Gaines, Leslie Hawkins, Merry Clayton, Tim Smith (background vocals).
Recording information: Criteria (??/1971-08/1977); Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Sheffield, AL (??/1971-08/1977); Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA (??/1971-08/1977); Studio One, Doraville, GA (??/1971-08/1977).
The 1998 Lynyrd Skynyrd compilation THE ESSENTIAL follows for the most part the same set-up as its 1979 set, GOLD AND PLATINUM, the two discs both collecting the best tracks Skynyrd recorded during its original run from 1973-1977. But what makes the two sets different is the inclusion of several rarities--demo versions of "Four Walls of Raiford" and "Comin' Home," as well as an unplugged version of "All I Can Do Is Write About It." Add to this such Skynyrd classics as "Sweet Home Alabama," "Gimme Three Steps," "What's Your Name," "Whiskey Rock-A-Roller," "Freebird," and "Tuesday's Gone," and you have another solid career overview of these Southern rock co-founders. minimize