Are You Now or Have You Ever Been New York Theatre reviews
Flawless playing with Good Energy
The perseverance to endure all of this is truly remarkable. I would have liked to have heard some of their lesser known songs. Little of the original band remains, but the musicians are more skilled. At least there was none of the legendary trash throwing of JFK infamy. The one song I thought could have been played better was "Sweet Home in Alabama," the first Lynyrd Skynyrd song I ever heard. About what you would expect from a Skynyrd crowd. Hank Williams was backed by a crack band of talented musicians. The concert did not sell out and but for it being Skynyrd's last tour I probably would not have gone. Many would find his supreme ego insufferable as his politics and (Are You Now or Have You Ever Been). On the other hand they seeded and aerated BB&T...not pleasant for those on the lawn. Gratefully, we were spared Hank rapping. More trash than usual. 12 dead members of the band were briefly memorialized. The music was great and the fans mostly tolerable. They sounded better than they did in 1976 and 1978...the last two times I saw them play. Hank's free form style might turn off country purists. 33 years of continuous touring pays off. One person tried to grab my wallet, but failed. I wasn't sure which of the kids it was so I moved to avoid planting a kid in the turf...not my idea of fun. Hank seemed sober and played a variety of instruments and styles. He has performed so many times I understand why he does it. Neither has been a constant during his tours.