Artist: JOHNNY VAN ZANT BAND
Album: THE LAST OF THE WILD ONES REMASTERED & RELOADED (CD)

Year: 1982/ 2012
Media type: CD

IT HAS been said that the commercial demise of southern rock began with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s tragic airplane crash in 1977, which killed two members of the band, including frontman Ronnie Van Zant. It was a sad time for the genre for sure, but a handful of acts kept the confederate flag flying, refusing to succumb to such desolate times. Best news of all was that two members of the Van Zant family rose to the challenge of survival by firing up some of their best work; namely .38 Special’s  Donnie Van Zant and little bro’ Johnny, of the self monikered Johnny Van Zant Band. ‘Last Of The Wild Ones’, originally issued in 1982, was the JVZ Band’s third studio album and finds the them returning to a more authentic sound, a style in keeping with their highly praised debut album, paying less heed to commerciality and more attention to traditional 70s style southern rock. It also marked the return of veteran producer Al Kooper, a man who not only discovered, signed and produced Skynyd but also sat behind the recording desk of the debut JVZ Band album. Sharper, more concise and rougher around the edges than their second album, ‘Last Of The Wild Ones’ takes no prisoners, leaping out of the speakers all guns blazing. With brother Donnie co-writing half the album, this is truly a joining of forces and a serious statement of intent. 24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Johnny and additional, previously unseen, photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.

TRACKLIST:

1. GOOD GIRLS TURNING BAD
2. IT’S YOU
3. LAST OF THE WILD ONES
4. STILL HOLD ON
5. CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE
6. DANGER ZONE
7. TOGETHER FOREVER
8. INSIDE LOOKING OUT
9. THE ONE AND ONLY