Lynyrd Skynyrd - Birmingham NIA - 28th May 2009

Two days later we are back at the NIA and walk in and it is unrecognisable. Nickelback was sold out 8000. Huge floor seats way at the back.Tonite we are at the back 1 block on the floor and then the seats.1500 max with 75% of the venue behind a black curtain.

First on Aynsley Lister. A young british blues geetarist.Never heard of him - he was brilliant.5 cd's into his career.Very Joe Bonamassa as a reference.Great voice and superb geetar backed by a 3 piece band including a young lady on bass!Only played 30 mins well worth looking into the guy.Excellent crowd response.

Now I have seen Skynyrd twice the last time 5 years ago blowing Deep Purple off stage. Since then Hughie Thomasson(geetar), Billy Powell(keys) and Euan Evans(bass) have all passed on. (ever thought you might be a jinx? Ed.)

Basically tonite was a greatest hits - well a 1973-77 set even though they had a backdrop of the new cd Gods and Guns .Nothing got played off of that.

Setlist was Workin for MCA, I aint the one, Saturday Night Special, Gimme back my Bullets, What's your Name, That Smell, Simple Man, a medley of Whisky Rock N'Roller/Down South Jukin/Needle and Spoon/Double Trouble/Tuesday's Gone, Gimme 3 Steps, Call me the Breeze/Sweet Home Alabama and an encore of Freebird.

1 hour 10 mins and then a 10 minute Freebird for £45 and only a 30 min support all over and done by 5 to 10!!!!As you can tell I was disappointed, especially after the bombast and show of Nickelback earlier in the week. It was very tame.Steve hasn't seen them before and enjoyed it.It was all well played all by numbers.Rickey Medlocke is still the star of the show with Michael Cartellone on drums a close second.

One reference to a departed Billy and Euan before Simple Man and a name check for the keys player(Billy Keys).I found out since the new bass player is Rob Kearns and geetarist is Mark Matejka.No reference at all it makes them to be hired hands and nothing else.Gary Rossington looked bored and even Rickey looked a little cheesed off at the crowd response which wasn't great.As they came on for the encore Van Zant said what song do you want to hear and the guy next to me shouted 3 or 4 more would be great.Rickey solod his ass off on Freebird and gone with a promise for more shows on the cd release.

Now I pretty much always give good marks but not this time.

6/10 with 2 taken off for only 80 mins for £45!!!!!

4/10.

ME