REVIEW: Jimmie Van Zant Band, Southern Comfort (J-Bird)
- Linda Scott
With that album title and frontman's last name, do you think this might be a Southern Rock album? Absolutely, but its appeal goes beyond that group of fans.
If you like rock and roll, you'll like Southern Comfort. From the first rocking track, "Get Up", to the "Party In The Parking Lot", you can't sit still and just listen. It's a good time, party, rock dancing album.
The Van Zant Band should be proud. The melodies, rock beat, lyrics and vocals shout "talent", and with good reason: Jimmie Van Zant has the music in his blood. His late cousin, Ronnie Van Zant, sang for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Jimmie and Ronnie were more to each other than cousins. Ronnie had a passion for music that he shared with Jimmie as his teacher and mentor. Jimmie's looks and talents are very much like Ronnie's. Ronnie Van Zant was killed in a plane crash that took some other Skynyrd members, and Jimmie commemorates his friend and cousin in "Ronnie's Song". He's also chosen to cover Ronnie's "Simple Man" which was originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The band is obviously proud of their Southern roots. The CD artwork is covered with Confederate flags and the CD itself looks like Confederate money. Van Zant must realize that the artwork can put off potential fans, as it seems to say that if you're not part of this mindset, then you're not welcome. Pride in one's origins is no problem if you don't mind offending or alienating potential fans. Hopefully, the Van Zant Band will choose a more universally welcoming theme next time. Set the artwork aside if it bothers you, and give Southern Comfort a try. Rockers will love it.
