Man, you can’t beat a live concert by one of your favorite bands. I treated myself to a great seat at last night’s Lynyrd Skynyrd concert here in Charlotte. It was the third time I had seen them in this life and every time the cast is different, but the music is still there as it will always be.
It has been awhile since I was so close to a live
performance. My seat was off to stage
left, third row aisle seat. The main
walkway way and ramp to the stage was to my left…along with a bank of speakers
that I could feel vibrating my old blue jeans.
The whole crowd was to my right and what made it even more special was
that crowd. Skynyrd Nation is alive and
well in Charlotte…no doubt bout that. It
was a general pleasure to take a step to the side and see the entire crowd…all
the way to and including the lawn areas standing and rockin to “Freebird”…one
of the greatest rock songs ever written and performed.
Skynyrd has a long history, over 35 years’ worth… and this
is their advertised final tour…but they will never fade. So long as there is a
rock station, cover band or a CD player somewhere, Skynyrd will be part of any
true rockers play list. Along with the
Allman Brothers and Molly Hatchett they form a southern rock trio from
Jacksonville, Florida that is hard to top from anywhere…could you imagine that
concert!!!
All three of these bands along with Tom Petty from
Gainesville and The Outlaws from Tampa, Florida form a solid foundation of rock
music that I grew up with and continue to enjoy today.
Recorded music is like movies and other media formats…once
displayed they are never really forgotten and it is truly a way for mortal men
and women to find a slice of immortality in having their art, talent, passion
and spiritual image recorded in the memory of a never dying electronic memory
bank…even as our own frail bodies fade from existence and our old minds can no
longer recall our experiences.
The Lynyrd Skynyrd story is filled with triumph and
tragedy…and sadly it is the tragedy of a fatal plane crash that is embedded in
our memories forever. Happier days of a
band named after a gym teacher would never again be and yet here decades later
the house is packed with standing loyal fans who also got to enjoy some Hank
Jr. tonight as well, just like the last time I seen them in Jacksonville.
I have a few Skynyrd stories as well. Last time I seen them was over 10 years ago
in Jacksonville, Florida. Bocephus and
Kid Rock were with them and it was an awesome show. Like tonight I had a single ticket and I
roamed freely thru the coliseum…my seat was stage left but I was in the 2nd
level. About half way thru their set
they did “Sweet Home Alabama” and they introduced a harmonica player. I saw him walk by on the lower level and go on
stage and he almost fell twice…I believe the ‘ol boy had a bit much to drink…or
something. Anyway he commenced to try
and play Sweet Home and I don’t know if it was me but I couldn’t hear nuthin
except a few misplaced notes. I remember
saying to myself in a selfish thought….man I can play that song better than
that. Guess that was the start of the
formation of my rock and roll fantasy.
So last night again about half way thru their set a
harmonica player, Bob from Ohio, does a mic check and they get ready to do
“Tuesday’s Gone” one of my favs and the last song I played harp to in my truck
out in gravel lot D, so I’m ready to hear a pro do it. Well, I’m sure Bob can play…the only problem
is he did his sound check when no one else was playing, so you couldn’t hear
nuthin. Just like Jacksonville, I could
not hear a lick of harmonica except for a few scattered notes. Both songs were played to perfection by the
band…but the harmonica suffered from audio distortions and difficulties. But you know what…to my amazement the crowd
loved it. Not just once in Jacksonville
but last night here in Charlotte, the crowd cheered for Bob as he gave it his
all…even if it was lost on the waves of guitar air.
I have “Sweet Home Alabama” nailed on the harmonica and I’ve
played the original extended 13 minute and 13 second version of “Freebird” til
my lips bled, but as is the case with most of my favs of almost any band I
prefer the slower but just as impactful and meaningful songs like “Simple Man” ,
“Tuesdays Gone” and the upbeat “Call Me The Breeze” along with “That Smell” to
inspire me to reach into my bag of tricks and pull out my harpoon.
I don’t have a bunch of fancy equipment…an 800 watt Alesis 8
channel mixer/amp with a pair of Behinger 1200 watt capacity powered speakers I
bought used from a gentleman who was downsizing… along with some other
gear. A complete set of Hohner harps
I’ve acquired over the years …with Crossover C’s being my favorite harp and key, along with my
second Red Howler harmonica microphone I recently got on clearance for $25… and
a Korg CA-1 Chromatic Tuner to help with keys.
My phone needs to be backed up… and I need to delete a bunch
of duplicated pics and crappy vids. My
budget won’t allow for pro grade video equipment so I make due. I was introduced to You Tube in one of my
college classes a while ago as I had to make a business research
presentation. I also did a harmonica
video for a Lowe’s talent show that didn’t turn out to good but is still out
there in some recorded electronic memory bank in a sea of servers. Recently I did a birthday video for my step
father Bill’s 85th and then
yesterday I uploaded the first two minutes of “The Wizard” by Black
Sabbath.
I continue to experiment with the fragile audio quality I
can muster out of what I’m working with here in my home studiio. So far the video called “Harmonica Wizard”
has the best sound quality but I’m still struggling with blending in the audio
level of the harp with the recorded track.
It’s a work in progress that as my budget allows will be
enhanced for your listening pleasure…should you decide to indulge. To do so go to You Tube and in the search bar
put in my name…Bryan Stross…and my videos will come up…including my latest in
tribute, respect and thanks to Lynyrd Skynyrd for a wonderful show last night
and all thru your days of Southern Rock-and-Roll. I only hope the audio quality for my
harmonica is better than Bob’s…after all Tuesday may be Gone…but never
forgotten.
July 1st, 2018
BAS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28wxf-zUYsA
Remembrance’s from RVZ:
“Lord Knows I Can’t Change”
& “Remember Son There Is Always Someone Up-Above”
Reflections for a Son Day morning: Luke 12:22-31…Psalm 104…&
Revelations 20
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