Mca
1973
Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd
About This Album
Known simply as Pronounced by most enthusiasts, this is the debut long-player for Southern rock gurus Lynyrd Skynyrd. This edition has been expanded to include five demos, three of which are available here for the first time. Likewise, Pronounced would introduce several seminal entries into the Skynyrd catalog: "Gimmie Three Steps" and "Simple Man," as well as their most enduring contribution, the epic rocker "Free Bird." Lynyrd Skynyrd had in fact released several 45s dating as far back as 1968 on the regionally distributed Shade Tree label out of their hometown of Jacksonville, FL. Not only was Pronounced their debut album, it also contained notable contributions credited to Roosevelt Gook, who was in reality Al Kooper. After spotting the band in an Atlanta, GA, bar called Funochio's, Kooper signed them to his MCA Records-distributed vanity label, Sounds of the South. The influence that Kooper had on the band has infinitely more to do with presentation than style, as Lynyrd Skynyrd's own distinct brand of sonic Southern comfort pervades every note of this swamp-rocking release. Even the lilting and melodic arrangements worked up by Kooper for "Tuesday's Gone" and "Mississippi Kid" can't disguise Ronnie Van Zant's edgy lead vocals and the punchy, aggressive fretwork of Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and former Strawberry Alarm Clock member Ed King.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,5,7,9,10,11,12 and 13)

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