Second Helping

by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Overview

Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote the book on Southern rock with their first album, so it only made sense that they followed it for their second album, aptly titled Second Helping. Sticking with producer Al Kooper (who, after all, discovered them), the group turned out a record that replicated all the strengths of the original, but was a little tighter and a little more professional. It also revealed that the band, under the direction of songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, was developing a truly original voice. Of course, the band had already developed their own musical voice, but it was enhanced considerably by Van Zant's writing, which was at turns plainly poetic, surprisingly clever, and always revealing. Though Second Helping isn't as hard a rock record as Pronounced, it's the songs that make the record. "Sweet Home Alabama" became ubiquitous, yet it's rivaled by such terrific songs as the snide, punkish "Workin' for MCA," the Southern groove of "Don't Ask Me No Questions," the affecting "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," and "The Needle and the Spoon," a drug tale as affecting as their rival Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done," but much harder rocking. This is the part of Skynyrd that most people forget -- they were a great band, but they were indelible because that was married to great writing. And nowhere was that more evident than on Second Helping. [The 1997 MCA reissue adds three bonus tracks: the single version of "Don't Ask Me No Questions," a demo of "Was I Right or Wrong," and "Take Your Time."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/04/1997
Label:	Mca
UPC:	0008811164829

Tracks

1. Sweet Home Alabama
2. I Need You
3. Don't Ask Me No Questions
4. Workin' for MCA
5. The Ballad of Curtis Loew
6. Swamp Music
7. The Needle and the Spoon
8. Call Me the Breeze
9. Don't Ask Me No Questions
10. Was I Right or Wrong
11. Take Your Time

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lynyrd Skynyrd   Primary Artist
Merry Clayton   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Al Kooper   Guest Artist,Piano,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Ronnie   Vocals (Background)
Ronnie Van Zant   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Mike Porter   Drums
Steve Madiao   Horn
Toby   Handclapping
Punnel   Handclapping
Kooder   Handclapping
Moochie   Handclapping
Cockroach   Handclapping
Steve Madeo   Horn
Wolfman   Handclapping,Handclapping
Wicker   Handclapping
Bob Burns, Jr.   Drums
Gooshie   Handclapping
Mr. Feedback   Handclapping
Allen Collins   Guitar,Soloist,Lead Guitar
Trevor Lawrence   Horn
Steve Madaio   Horn
Billy Powell   Piano,Keyboards
Bobby Keys   Horn
Ed King   Bass,Guitar,Soloist,Lead Guitar,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm),Fender Stratocaster
Clydie King   Vocals (Background)
Gary Rossington   Guitar,Soloist,Lead Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Leon Wilkeson   Bass,Vocals,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Ronnie Van Zant   Composer
J.J. Cole   Composer
Norman Seeff   Photography
John Lowery   Composer
Ernie Campagna   Production Coordination
Rickey Medlocke   Composer
Robert Roy Marlette   Composer
Allen Collins   Composer
Bob Merritt   Assistant
J.J. Cale   Composer
Ed King   Fills,Composer
Gary Rossington   Composer
John Cale   Composer
Johnny Van Zant   Composer
Van Zant   Composer
Rodney Mills   Assistant
The Rossington Band   Composer
Al Kooper   Engineer,Producer,Remixing,Horn Arrangements
Gary Kellgren   Assistant