Search - Van Zant :: Van Zant II

Jim P. (Guitarmusiclover11) from BRUCE, WI
Reviewed on 3/2/2011...

This is not a Lynyrd Skynyrd cd. But it's definitely a southern rock gem!
It's the collaboration of the Van Zant brothers-Johnny and Donnie, both well-known rock and rollers.

I think that "Wildside" is probably the weakest song on the cd.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd's guitar playing is easily recognizable and an asset to the album.
The vocals are great, as you come to expect from this family. The lyrics are strong and so is the lead guitar. Every song has a message.
The song that I think is the masterpiece of the entire cd is "Baby Get Blue".
It's one of those rare songs where every time you listen to it you find another aspect to it that you appreciate. Whether it's the bass, lyrics, or flow of the melody. They really put this song together masterfully!

After listening to this cd a few times I'm looking at their country discs as possible additions to my tower.

MORE THAN MUSIC FOR YOUR EARS

Michael G. King | LOUISVILLE, KY United States | 03/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These songs touch your heart and your very soul. This is music with lyrics that mean something. Johnny Van Zant is king. He has so much emotional depth. Music is part of the Van Zant family. They live and breath it. Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote about family loss with the song "Tuesday's Gone". It took a long time for Johnny to feel right about performing with Lynyrd Skynyrd. "Brickyard Road" was a very personal writing by Johnny. Van Zant II is dedicated to Marion Virginia Van Zant, who is not here to swing on the front porch swing any longer. The emotion in this CD is unreal. It starts with OKLAHOMA, a very powerful song about a part of our country that has endured tragedy, survived, and overcome. GET WHAT YOU GOT COMIN' and WHAT'S THE WORLD COMING TO are classic southern flavor Lynyrd Skynyrd style "fed up with the way things are today" rock & roll. HEART OF AN ANGEL and IMAGINATION are just amazing musical writings that have to be of Marion's influence, and are proper tributes. All the songs are great. My personal favorite is ALIVE. This song reminds us all what it really means to be alive and to cherish each and every day we have, despite our problems. I really don't what else to say, I just bought this CD today and - I am still in AWE of what I've heard. Anyone who doesn't like this music couldn't really be alive and can't possibly know what family is all about. I've recomended this CD to a young friend and business associate of mine. He's into "Rage Against The Machine", "Tool", and "Incubus". And though it may seem strange for me to make this recomendation to him, I wanted him to listen and hear the depth, the emotion, and experience the soul touching that this music, music from the Van Zant family, could provide. I don't know if he'll listen or not, but I hope you will. Please do yourself a favor and lose yourself in the world of Van Zant. You will feel alive like you've never felt before."

From the most talented musical family in rock!

Ken Maddox | Prattville, AL USA | 04/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Comes this exceptional CD. Oklahoma, Get What You Got Comin, At Least I'm Free are great rockers. Heart of An Angel and Alive are just beautifully put together. No this is not Second Helping or Special Forces, but so what. This shows the depth of these brothers writing abilities. These songs do fit with Skynyrd and Special in that they tell a story and have such a positive energy. My wife is a country music fan and when she saw the band in Atlanta fell in love with the music and bought additional copies for her and my son. As you can tell I just love this music and these guys. They did themselves proud!"