The transformation from veteran Southern rockers into fledgling country artists hasn't required much of a musical shift by the brothers Van Zant. The hard-edged guitar riffing, chip-on-shoulder feistiness, and celebrations... more » of Southern pride on much of the material would have fit just as easily on an album by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band in which Johnny Van Zant replaced his late brother Ronnie as lead singer. Donnie Van Zant brought a lighter touch to his music in .38 Special, as reflected here in the more melodic balladry of "Things I Miss the Most" and "I Can't Help Myself." By subtracting the extended guitar solos from 1970s Southern rock and adding an occasional banjo break or steel guitar fill, Johnny and Donnie Van Zant extend their appeal across categories as well as generations of fans. Though songs such as "Sweet Mama" and "Plain Jane" rely a little too heavily on cliché, "Takin' Up Space," "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me What to Do," and "Help Somebody" are anthems with the sort of conviction that will inevitably inspire raised fists and chorus sing-a-longs. --Don McLeese« less
The transformation from veteran Southern rockers into fledgling country artists hasn't required much of a musical shift by the brothers Van Zant. The hard-edged guitar riffing, chip-on-shoulder feistiness, and celebrations of Southern pride on much of the material would have fit just as easily on an album by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band in which Johnny Van Zant replaced his late brother Ronnie as lead singer. Donnie Van Zant brought a lighter touch to his music in .38 Special, as reflected here in the more melodic balladry of "Things I Miss the Most" and "I Can't Help Myself." By subtracting the extended guitar solos from 1970s Southern rock and adding an occasional banjo break or steel guitar fill, Johnny and Donnie Van Zant extend their appeal across categories as well as generations of fans. Though songs such as "Sweet Mama" and "Plain Jane" rely a little too heavily on cliché, "Takin' Up Space," "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me What to Do," and "Help Somebody" are anthems with the sort of conviction that will inevitably inspire raised fists and chorus sing-a-longs. --Don McLeese
"Yeah< I had sworn off SONY products after purchasing the Foo Fighters last CD and installing it on my computer. I was near lost trying to figure what was going on with my computer as I tried to upload it to my I-Tunes. Tried to follow Sonys directions could not get it to run on Win2000 so read about it on Amazon Music reviews. Tried deleting it and had nothing but problems with my computer (da, da cd drive disappeared). The only thing that saved me was I had Goback installed and I reverted my harddrive to a prior date. Occasionally afterwards my cd drive would dissappear causing me to have to revert my hard drive again. Finally after losing my cd drive happened again & again, after reverting with Goback, I then uninstalled and reinstalled Norton Anti virus and Norton Internet Security. Since then my computer seems to be running like of old, but I wouldn't wish this trouble on anybody, so hope it might help someone. I took my CD back to Costco where it had been purchased and told them I was more than a little unstatisfied with the product they sold me and advised them to not carry any more cr*p like it. They refunded my money.
As for this CD by Van Zant I got at a pawn shop for $3. I did not notice it was a Sony product (else I wouldnt have touched it with a ten foot pole) until after I loaded it to My Itunes. I saw the Columbia Records logo in large size but didnt see the SONY mark. I am suprised to report that it seems to have loaded up fine and nothing seems to acting up this time on my computer but the format of this CD seems different then the two versions listed on Amazon at this time. The disc I have is a single 2 sided disc one side is CD and the other side is dvd in "enhanced LCD Stereo" . The sticker and the lableing do not say this is Copy protected like the Foo Fighter Cd I had previous problems with so I hope I am Okay. I have heard that Sony has pulled and is reissuing the cr*p CDs and thought folks would appreciate hearing my experience. As for the music on this CD sounds good enough and when I play the DVD side through the computer the music seems to have a lot more depth to it. Good luck and watch what you load on your computer!"
More of what we love!!!
A. L. Key | Davenport, IA | 12/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you loved Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special, you're gonna love this album. It's interesting that these two can get together and create an album that's accepted and loved by the country industry while sounding the same as they always have. Together, they're better than ever. Nowadays, their "Southern Rock" is accepted as "Country", but those are both just labels. If you want some rockin good music with a familiar sound times two, you'll LOVE this album."
Excellent Rockin Country album
Tammy M. Shull | illinois usa | 03/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved it. This is good music. Music you cant help but to sing along to. Songs with attitude and good rhythms and super harmonies.Every song is a good song. You will definitely get your money's worth. I had the privelege of going to their concert recently. They put an incredible amount of energy in everyone of their songs and they reflect that on stage. Hats off to Johnny and Donnie for an album well done that Ronnie would be so proud of."
Good stuff - good cd
Paul P | Waukesha wi | 10/01/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It should be noted that Sony BMG recalled all cd's with protective soft ware and set up an exchange program in 2006 for any consumer owned cd could be sent in for a replacement. So if you are buying this new from Amazon you should be safe but if you are buying used or from another person you may still get the spyware."
Van Zant "Get Right With the Man" = A Great Southern Rock/So
Gary Covington | Louisiana | 07/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm sorry for all the people who had problems with this CD. However, I have never had any problems with mine. I bought mine back in 2005, when it was released, and I've played it in my home CD player, and in my Truck CD player, and I've had NO problems. When this CD was released, Lynyrd Skynryd was touring with the Allman Brothers Band, and Jeffery Steele was the opening act. I saw these bands on this tour (The Great American Jam Tour), and Jeffery Steele performed the song "Help Somebody" (Get Right With the Man). He wrote this song, and also, some of the other songs in this CD.
Also, I got to see Van Zant perform the songs from this CD, on the "Redneck Revolution Tour" back in 2006, with Gretchen Wilson.
The songs on the CD include:
1.Takin' Up Space
2.Nobody Gonna Tell Me What To Do
3.Sweet Mama
4.Help Somebody
5.Things I Miss the Most
6.I Know my History
7.I Can't Help Myself
8.I'm Doin' Alright
9.Lovin' You
10.Plain Jane
11.Been There Done That.
This is a great CD. I can understand people being cautious about this CD, after reading all the bad reviews about the virus problem. However, I can atest to the fact that I have had no problems with this CD. I've never used it in a computer or ipod, but I have played it in several CD players.
Anyway, I wanted to add my input into these reviews. Thanks!!!!