Photos and Review by :Robert McDonald

Show Photos HERE

There is some music that just transports you back to a different place and time. For me, listening to music from Lynyrd Skynyrd magically takes me back to a simpler time. Last Saturday, I finally had the opportunity to see them live for the first time at the Xfinity Center in Manfield, MA and it was worth the wait.

I remember in the mid-seventies, I would huddle around a transistor radio with my brothers and sisters listening to American Top 40 on Armed Forces Radio. We would place a cassette player/recorder next to the radio and record the show so that we could listen to our favorite music over and over again during the week. While the band members may have changed over time, the music and lyrics of Lynyrd Skynyrd are as familiar to me today as they were almost 40 years ago.

Following an introductory video, the band took the stage and the crowd immediately leapt to the feet and never sat down for the entire 1.5 hour set. The show contained one hit after another, starting with Workin’ for MCA and ending with the time-honored Free Bird encore. The show was powered by the vocals of Johnny Van Zant, the long-time lead singer and the somewhat rare quadruplet of guitarists, Rickey Medlocke, Gary Rossington, Mark Matejka and Johnny Colt.

Simple Man provided a rousing tribute to the Troops, complete with images of what I have to assume were relatives who had served and recent videos of military homecomings. For someone who is usually reserved at concerts, even I found myself on my feet, singing along to Gimme Three Steps and Sweet Home Alabama at the end of the show.

Any true rock fan should get the opportunity to hear Free Bird performed live at least once in his or her life. Last Saturday night was my mine and I’m happily crossing one off my bucket list.

1. Workin’ for MCA

2. I Ain’t the One

3. Call Me the Breeze

4. What’s Your Name

5. Down South Jukin’

6. That Smell

7. Saturday Night Special

8. Simple Man

9. Mississippi Kid

10. Tuesday’s Gone

11. Gimme Three Steps

12. Sweet Home Alabama

Encore: Free Bird