The song we should have requested?

[posttoastie]

 

[swarfrat]

"We've had a request for '$20 bird'"

 

[buster poser]

Lol I have a friend who used to do exactly that and say “turn it off” instead of “turn it up,” then take a beat and launch into the next number.

Genius lol

Finishing with “boo hoo hoo” also works. I can play that riff with *feeling*

 

[radtz]

"FREEBIRD!" was yelled at our trio. The guitar player would play some amalgamation of the verse and I would make up lyrics that reminded me of the song (which I never learned). We would do one verse, then the transition part, then the fast part super fast where the guitar player would noodle in the style of Skynyrd for about 8-16 bars. We would then do the big cacophony ending withe jumping "Bang" ending for a about a minute as if we were the biggest band ever doing the big ending at the end of the night. I would yell some sort of "Thank you Tuscaloosa, you've been a great crowd. Then play our next song as if nothing happened.

 

[2HBStrat]

"FREEBIRD!" was yelled at our trio. The guitar player would play some amalgamation of the verse and I would make up lyrics that reminded me of the song (which I never learned). We would do one verse, then the transition part, then the fast part super fast where the guitar player would noodle in the style of Skynyrd for about 8-16 bars....

And right there is the problem. The guitar players in Lynyrd Skynyd AREN'T noodling, they're playing actual parts that they worked out. Most cover bands won't learn the solos and, in my opinion, the songs suffer. There was a local band here, a really good cover band, that played Free Bird. They had a guy who played slide, they pulled their sound guy off the board to play bass, the bass player switched to guitar, so they had a three guitar line-up, and they freakin' NAILED it. It's impressive when done right.

There are some songs, IMHO, that should only be played by the original band…original members are not necessary.

In the OPs context, virtually any Skynerd tune will work.....

For years I hated Lynyrd Skynyrd but I've recently gained an appreciation for their work ethic and what they accomplished.

...Every guitarist who plays for others should know the opening riff to Sweet Home Alabama for the inevitable "play some Skynyrd!" It's a shutter-upper.

We play Sweet Home Alabama...not very well, but we DO play it.

Duplicate.

Sorry to pick on LS, I didn’t have them in mind as musicians so much as I did as for example.

Consider this a learning experience and next time pick a more suitable example.

 

[radtz]

And right there is the problem. The guitar players in Lynyrd Skynyd AREN'T noodling, they're playing actual parts that they worked out. Most cover bands won't learn the solos and, in my opinion, the songs suffer. There was a local band here, a really good cover band, that played Free Bird. They had a guy who played slide, they pulled their sound guy off the board to play bass, the bass player switched to guitar, so they had a three guitar line-up, and they freakin' NAILED it. It's impressive when done right.

For years I hated Lynyrd Skynyrd but I've recently gained an appreciation for their work ethic and what they accomplished.

We play Sweet Home Alabama...not very well, but we DO play it.

Consider this a learning experience and next time pick a more suitable example.

And quite fun done playfully with a trio. If you ask a trio to Freebird, you get what you get.

 

[bluesfordan]

I'd play Simple Man or The Ballad of Curtis Loew

just wish i knew how to play them

 

[GibbyTwin]

If you ask a trio to Freebird, you get what you get.

There ya go....

 

[johnny k]

 

[Danb541]

I go into this one instead. Get some couples on the dance floor. I'm guessing the guy that yelled "free bird" is single...

 

[Buckaroo65]

Free Bird, like Stairway To Heaven is both too slow, and too fast to dance to.

Free Bird was the first song I ever danced with a girl to. In sixth grade. The slow part doesn’t last long enough and the fast part goes on for an eternity. Free Bird was also the last song I ever danced with a girl to…

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

All jokes aside,

Very funny.

if someone wanted to hear “Free Bird” I’d probably suggest “Tuesday’s Gone” instead.

Anyone have thoughts on popular covers v better songs by the same band, or just songs you’d rather play instead?

I hate Skynyrd's "The Ballad of Curtis Loew." Of any of their songs, the one I can stand playing is "Sweet Home Alabama." (For a minute. Just long enough to get in the Neil Young dig.)

Confession: Someone at a pub once requested "Curtis Loew," and the singer knew it. And I had my roundneck dobro with me. So I swallowed my pride and my gum and suffered through it.

Nailed it, too. Shame on me!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Not Sweet Home Alabama? What's wrong with people!? . . .

See post 32.

 

[Timbresmith1]

Doesn't stop folks from trying though, as I'm sure you've observed. I like the universally employed but undefined planted-feet sway through the languid first bit contrasted with the hopping around doing air guitar during the interminable solo. The lyrics are dumber than Desperado and Stairway to Heaven, and invariably there are at least two drunks shouting them whenever the song comes on.

Every guitarist who plays for others should know the opening riff to Sweet Home Alabama for the inevitable "play some Skynyrd!" It's a shutter-upper.

Yep. We used to start “Sweet Home Alabama” then switch to the chorus of “Werewolves of London”

 

[brookdalebill]

Yep. We used to start “Sweet Home Alabama” then switch to the chorus of “Werewolves of London”

Isn’t that what Kid Rock did?

 

[richiek65]

I'd play Simple Man or The Ballad of Curtis Loew

just wish i knew how to play them

Curtis Loew is a GREAT song

 

[Redheadlvr]

T for Texas

 

[Timbresmith1]

Isn’t that what Kid Rock did?

Maybe he stole it from us.

 

[Midgetje94]

Playing in the North Texas, Southern Oklahoma area. Primarily playing the modern twist on Red Dirt/Alternative Country/Rock (a LOT of ex Metal guys trying to play country. You get some pretty sweet sounds IMO.)

It seems the walk on songs are usually some hard rock/country song OR a southern rap

“Boys From Oklahoma” by Cross Canadian Ragweed. Or whatever your group’s individual twist on “Hurricane” by The Band of Heathens. Those are two pretty big crowd pleasers/must know songs

 

[Sgt Pepper]

Not a huge Skynrd fan but I like a few. Mississippi Kid is one