Break er Down - Free Bird

[kim]

Ooooookay...this one may require a little more effort in thought as to the answer?...maybe not???...hahahaha

Anyway, with the "Stairway To Heaven", the "All of the above" button seemed to rule. In this case though, I wonder if the same attributes apply?

I'm thinking that there may be a little more favour placed on one or two aspects of the song instead...and I'd like to hear which ones they are.

Free Bird is a great piece...

Yes...it's been played to death...and rightfully so. Even casual fans of the band will quote this song and recognize the group if only for this track alone...hey!...can't blame them...it's a classic!

So for the pros of the board here, I'd like to know...just what is it that makes this song worthy of standing the test of time in which it does?

Something tells me that "all of the above" just won't be the decisive factor here...that's just taking the "easy way" out...hahahahahahaha.

Thanks
Kim

[mak]

for this great song the GUITARS and the VOICE

[MrAce]

The guitars stand out for me.

[Warpig]

I had to vote for other,because it all stands out for me Billy's Piano, Gary's Slide Guitar & Ronnie's vocals..all just perfect & then Artimus Pyle's Drums & Leons Bass kick in along with Allen Collins & Steve Gaines Kick Ass duel Guitars...WooooHoooo Free Bird Baby!!!!

[otcconan]

It's the fact that it's two guitars playing the same thing, live, smoking it. That end solo is the nut's guts. I have played this song in every band I've been in save one, and it's a rock standard. It was the first song I learned to play.

Warpig, by saying piano, I assume you mean the live version? It's a Hammond B3 organ on the studio recording.

[Frank]

THE GUITARS THAT FOR DARN SURE!!

[Jesse]

Warpig, by saying piano, I assume you mean the live version? It's a Hammond B3 organ on the studio recording.

He must mean the live version, cuz Bob Burns played the drums on the studio version and Ed King did the bass parts. Steve Gaines didn't join the band until mid-'76.


Me? Basically, I like the total package, but there are 2 parts in the live version (with Wilkeson, Burns and Gaines) that give me goose bumps every time:

1)Before the song even starts Ronnie asking the crowd "What song is it you wanna hear?" and the crowd responding with a loud and unified "FREEBIRD!".

2)During the second chorus when Ronnie sings, "I'm as free as a bird now", then shouts out "How 'bout you!"

Don't know why, but those 2 things always made the live version the ultimate to me.