Second Helping

Last updated
Second Helping
SecondHelpingLynyrdSkynyrd.jpg
Studio album by
Lynyrd Skynyrd
ReleasedApril 15, 1974
RecordedJune 1973 (track 1)
January 1974
Studio Studio One, Doraville, Georgia (track 1)
Record Plant Studios, Los Angeles, California
Genre
Length37:15
Label
  • Sounds of the South
  • MCA
Producer Al Kooper
Lynyrd Skynyrd chronology
(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)
(1973)		Second Helping
(1974)		 Nuthin' Fancy
(1975)
Singles from Second Helping
  1. "Don't Ask Me No Questions"
    Released: April 1974
  2. "Sweet Home Alabama"
    Released: June 24, 1974

Second Helping is the second studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on April 15, 1974. It features the band's biggest hit single, "Sweet Home Alabama", an answer song to Neil Young's "Alabama" and "Southern Man", [2] which reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1974.

Contents

Second Helping reached #12 on the Billboard album charts. The RIAA certified it Gold on September 20, 1974, and Double Platinum on July 21, 1987. [3]

Background

After the success of their debut album, (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) , Lynyrd Skynyrd's fan base continued to grow rapidly throughout 1973, largely due to their opening slot on the Who's Quadrophenia tour in the United States. Second Helping features Ed King, Allen Collins, and Gary Rossington all collaborating with Ronnie Van Zant on the songwriting, and cemented the band's breakthrough.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [4]
Christgau's Record Guide A− [5]
Creem B− [6]
Rolling Stone (favourable) [7]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg[ citation needed ]
MusicHound 4/5[ citation needed ]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg[ citation needed ]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Tom Hull B− [8]

Reviewing for Rolling Stone in 1974, Gordon Fletcher said Lynyrd Skynyrd performs a consistent style of Southern music-influenced blues rock similar to the Allman Brothers Band, but lacks their "sophistication and professionalism. If a song doesn't feel right to the Brothers, they work on it until it does; if it isn't right to Lynyrd Skynyrd, they are more likely to crank up their amps and blast their way through the bottleneck." Fletcher concluded that Second Helping is distinct from (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) "only by a certain mellowing out that indicates they may eventually acquire a level of savoirfaire to realize their many capabilities". [7]

Robert Christgau in Creem was also lukewarm, saying Lynyrd Skynyrd is "still a substantial, tasteful band, but I have a hunch they blew their best stuff on the first platter." [6] Christgau warmed to the album later, reappraising it in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981); he observed "infectious putdowns of rock businessmen, rock journalists, and heroin", and "great formula" in general: "When it rocks, three guitarists and a keyboard player pile elementary riffs and feedback noises into dense combinations broken by preplanned solos, while at quieter moments the spare vocabulary of the best Southern folk music is evoked or just plain duplicated." [5]

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine said Second Helping "replicated all the strengths" of the first album's expert Southern rock "but was a little tighter and a little more professional." [4] Houston Press placed it #2 on its list of "Five Essential Boogie-Rock Albums." [9]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sweet Home Alabama"
4:43
2."I Need You"
  • King
  • Rossington
  • Van Zant
6:55
3."Don't Ask Me No Questions"
  • Rossington
  • Van Zant
3:29
4."Workin' for MCA"
  • King
  • Van Zant
4:49
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Ballad of Curtis Loew"
4:51
2."Swamp Music"
  • King
  • Van Zant
3:31
3."The Needle and the Spoon"
  • Collins
  • Van Zant
3:53
4."Call Me the Breeze" J. J. Cale 5:09
1997 CD reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
9."Don't Ask Me No Questions" (Single Version)
  • Rossington
  • Van Zant
3:31
10."Was I Right Or Wrong" (Demo)
  • Van Zant
  • Rossington
5:33
11."Take Your Time" (Demo)
  • Van Zant
  • King
7:29

Personnel

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Additional personnel

Charts

Chart (1974)Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [10] 9
US Billboard 200 [11] 12

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [3] 2× Platinum2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynyrd Skynyrd</span> American rock band

Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida. The group originally formed as My Backyard in 1964 and comprised Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom, and Bob Burns (drums). The band spent five years touring small venues under various names and with several lineup changes before deciding on "Lynyrd Skynyrd" in 1969. The band released its first album, (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), in 1973. By then, they had settled on a lineup that included bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell, and guitarist Ed King. Burns left and was replaced by Artimus Pyle in 1974. King left in 1975 and was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976. At the height of their fame in the 1970s, the band popularized the Southern rock genre with songs such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". After releasing five studio albums and one live album, the band's career was abruptly halted on October 20, 1977, when their chartered airplane crashed, killing Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines; and seriously injuring the rest of the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Home Alabama</span> 1974 single by Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Sweet Home Alabama" is a song by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on the band's second album Second Helping (1974). It was written in response to Neil Young's 1970 song "Southern Man", which the band felt blamed the entire South for American slavery; Young is name-checked and dissed in the lyrics. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974, becoming the band's highest-charting single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free Bird</span> 1974 single by Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Free Bird", also spelled "Freebird", is a song by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, written by guitarist Allen Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. The song was released on their 1973 debut studio album.

<i>(Pronounced Lĕh-nérd Skin-nérd)</i> 1973 studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) is the debut studio album by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on August 13, 1973. Several of the album's tracks remain among the band's most well-known: "Gimme Three Steps", "Simple Man", "Tuesday's Gone", and "Free Bird", the last of which launched the band to national stardom.

<i>The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd</i> 1998 compilation album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd, is a two-disc compilation of Lynyrd Skynyrd in the peak years of its classic lineup (1971–1977). The double album was remastered and re-released in 2006 as part of Universal's Gold series.

<i>One More from the Road</i> 1976 live album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

One More from the Road is a live album by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, capturing three shows recorded in July 1976 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 1974 Lynyrd Skynyrd had supported rock promoter Alex Cooley so that the theatre could be saved from demolition. This record was the band's first live album, and the only live album from the band's classic era of 1970 to 1977, prior to the plane crash that killed lead singer and songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing singer Cassie Gaines. The album was released in September 1976. It was certified gold by the RIAA on October 26, 1976, platinum on December 30, 1976 and 3× platinum on July 21, 1987.

<i>Lynyrd Skynyrd</i> (album) 1991 box set by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd is the first box set by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It features outtakes, demos and live versions of songs from their first six albums. It was certified gold by the RIAA in November 1997.

<i>Skynyrds First and... Last</i> 1978 compilation album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Skynyrd's First and...Last was the original name of the posthumous compilation album first released in 1978 by the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. In 1998, it was repackaged, renamed and re-released as Skynyrd's First: The Complete Muscle Shoals Album, being expanded to include eight additional tracks – four of which were previously unreleased and four which would be re-recorded for (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd). As the renamed title suggests, the album was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama. Originally intended to be their debut album it was shelved, making (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) their actual debut. The album was certified Gold on September 8, 1978 and Platinum on November 10, 1978 by the RIAA.

<i>Southern by the Grace of God</i> 1988 live album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Southern by the Grace of God is a live album by southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, recorded during the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour in 1987. These live concerts were a 10-year anniversary tribute by Lynyrd Skynyrd to the members of the band who had died in a 1977 plane crash. The plane crash killed frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines and road manager Dean Kilpatrick.

<i>Old Time Greats</i> 1997 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Old Time Greats is a two-disc compilation album by American rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd. Released in 1997, it documents the original 1970s run of the band before the 1977 Convair 240 crash that killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary, and co-pilot William Gray.

<i>Thyrty: The 30th Anniversary Collection</i> 2003 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Thyrty is a 2003 30th anniversary album by American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It consists of a two-disc set, with the final ten tracks on disc two from the post-plane crash lineup. It was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA on February 21, 2005. As a limited edition, the album peaked at number 16 on the Billboard 200. All tracks are full length remixed/remastered stereo studio versions.

<i>20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Lynyrd Skynyrd</i> 1999 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Lynyrd Skynyrd is a compilation album by Lynyrd Skynyrd, released in 1999 as a part of the modern effort at recapturing the classics and repackaging them for newer generations to be exposed to and enjoy. It compiles some of the band's greatest and most recognizable hits. The album was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA in 2006, and has sold 2,929,000 copies in the U.S. as of August 2013.

<i>All Time Greatest Hits</i> (Lynyrd Skynyrd album) 2000 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

All Time Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released in 2000. The album was certified gold on March 24, 2003 and platinum on June 20, 2005 by the RIAA.

<i>God & Guns</i> 2009 studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

God & Guns is the thirteenth studio album by the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on September 29, 2009.

<i>Best of the Rest</i> 1982 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Best of the Rest is a compilation album by the American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was originally released in 1982 and again in 1990 on CD. This compilation contains album cuts that are fan favorites. The only hit from the band on the album is "Call Me the Breeze." The compilation also contains two previously unreleased early recordings from 1971 and 1972. Those songs were originally planned to be on their shelved debut album, making (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) their actual debut. The early songs were recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama. Other early songs from 1971 to 1972 also surfaced on the compilations Skynyrd's First and... Last in 1978 and Old Time Greats in 1997.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Lynyrd Skynyrd album) 2008 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released in 2008 in Europe only.

<i>A Retrospective</i> (Lynyrd Skynyrd album) 1993 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

A Retrospective is a compilation album by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

<i>Whats Your Name</i> (album) 1987 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

What's Your Name is a compilation album by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA in July 2001.

<i>Icon</i> (Lynyrd Skynyrd album) 2010 greatest hits album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Icon is a compilation album from the American southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was released on August 31, 2010. The album was certified Gold on November 12, 2015 by the RIAA.

"Don't Ask Me No Questions" is a song by American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on their 1974 album Second Helping. It was written by Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant.

References

  1. 1 2 Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide . Simon and Schuster. p.  505–506. ISBN   978-0-74320-169-8.
  2. ↑ Back, Les (2000). "Voices of Hate, Sounds of Hybridity: Black Music and the Complexities of Racism". Black Music Research Journal. 20 (2): 142–143. doi:10.2307/779464. JSTOR   779464.
  3. 1 2 "American album certifications – Lynyrd Skynyrd – Second Helping". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  4. 1 2 AllMusic review
  5. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: L". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies . Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved March 1, 2019– via robertchristgau.com.
  6. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (September 1974). "The Christgau Consumer Guide". Creem . Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  7. 1 2 Fletcher, Gordon (July 4, 1974). "Second Helping". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone.
  8. ↑ Hull, Tom (April 1975). "The Rekord Report: First Card". Overdose. Retrieved June 26, 2020– via tomhull.com.
  9. ↑ "Five Essential Boogie-Rock Albums". Houston Press . April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3872a". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  11. ↑ "Lynyrd Skynyrd Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.