Under The Influence

Tribute albums are often tricky. Should a band stay faithful to the original version or try to bring a new interpretation of the song to the table? Do you go with the obvious hits or dig a little deeper into a catalog for the hardcore fans? There are solid arguments for both sides of the coin. Luckily for us, the fine folks at Sanctuary Records have provided us with a tribute album that serves to both with Under The Influence: A Jamband Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd. The artists are as diverse as their renditions and the songs will be familiar to most - with a couple of exceptions.

First off, yes "Freebird" is featured and Blues Traveler handle the task quite well - with John Popper doing his some quality vocal jamming and harmonica heroics that replace the classic guitar duel. It’s some of the lesser known Skynyrd songs though that really shine.

Gov’t Mule’s rendition of "Simple Man" rivals the original - Warren Haynes was clearly born to sing this song. But it’s the unlikely trio of Drive By Truckers, Yonder Mountain String Band and Particle that each deliver three of the most satisfying cuts on the album. DBT show why many consider them to be the heirs apparent to Skynyrd’s throne, with "Every Mother’s Son." While YMSB take, "Four Walls Of Raiford," and turn it from a slow country-blues song to traditional bluegrass with sweet harmonies that makes it sound like it could have been recorded 80 years ago. The most ambitious track though, belongs to Particle’s instrumental take on "Workin’ For MCA" - mixing southern rock with their own brand of ‘funktronica.’ Clocking in at more than seven minutes long it’s everything we’ve come to expect from them.

Alas, there are a couple of misfires, most notably the Disco Biscuits attempt at "Gimme Three Steps." I commend them for trying to be original, but it comes across like a bad rap-rock song, putting a damper on an otherwise fitting and enjoyable send up to the godfathers of southern rock.