I remember my 4 year old in his car seat who knew EVERY word to this song off the Platinum & Gold album who would bang his head and the part he sang the loudest was "Ole Curt was a black man with white curly hair"... he knew every word to that song and wanted it played over and over! Timeless music influencing all generations!
The blues musicians and singers inspired most of the 50s musicians and all of the 60s musician, which in turn inspired the 70's musicians: the best decade for music ever.
The last line he says he wished he was here so every one would know , so this is a trubute to a man that while alive no one appreciated him but now his story and name is known by millions.
Yep, I hunted many a bottle along the roadsides to take them to the store and get me enough money to buy me some gum, or candy cigarettes or maybe even a pack of baseball cards. Brings back my childhood every time I hear it. Man I long for those days again. Skynyrd = 🔥 always. Thanks for the reaction. ✌️
Did the same! Other sources for change money were under couch or chair cushions, purses in mom’s closet, vending machine change returns, and church league softball field base paths!
Great memories of the neighborhood store. We'd get our 5 cent bottle deposit and buy candy. Tons of candy. I loved Spree and Lik'm Aid. And those candy necklaces and gum of any kind. Back when Coke had real cane sugar. We were on a first-name basis with the owner, manager and one employee. Small town values. Those were the days.
The story is supposedly an amalgamation of characters from bandmember's past. This was released in the early 70's so the timeline could have been Jim Crowe south (50's). The dobro is a hollow steel guitar, similar to an acoustic, but you can put in on your knee. Song gets me every time I hear it 🔥❤
This is another song that will earn you instant cred when you play it on the juke box down at the local pool hall - guaranteed. That's a Dobro playing on the lead instrument - an acoustic guitar with a metal resonator built in. Stephen Stills plays one solo on his TREETOP FLIER from his solo album 'Stills Alone'; it's tuned down to DADGAD, rather than standard EADGBE tuning.
"The true meaning of recycling". Right on. What an interesting thing to think about, and it percolates all the way up through 70 layers. I sure did enjoy this reaction.
Laughing my ass off at your reaction, love you guys. ❤️ that was a great Beatles reference in there! And I've always loved this one, it's just so involved and it's the right amount of technical proficiency but also just having fun.
This is my favorite LS song! Thank you very much for reacting to it, not many people do. I love that a child could recognize the greatness of a man's talent and appreciate him so much.
Great reaction! I've heard various stories on who the song was based on, but I believe the most reliable is that it was based on Shorty Medlock father to Ricky who was an original member before they hit it big , but left to form his own band Blackfoot ( Train Train & Highway Song ) Ricky later rejoined the band in the 90s & is still with them to this day. Ricky & his dad Shorty are of American Indian decent.
Shorty was actually Ricky medlockes maternal grand father, but you’re correct he raised Ricky. The Native American 1/2 of Ricky comes from his father who was Lakota I think. Shorty was mainly a bluegrass musician and I think he had a Jacksonville area based radio or tv show which Ricky was on as a boy.
Ronnie Van Zant said "this is a tribute to all the Blues Players that have come and gone" so many unknown people, I know he liked Son House (Delta Blues) - who was never a great technician, nor did he ever gain the popularity of the great Robert Johnson, but could capture your attention, a storyteller in the purist sense... a Man of the Blues. Son House - Shetland Pony Blues, is a recording held in the library of Congress 1941 - 42 I think when you listen to Skynyrds "Mr Banker" and "Four Walls of Raiford demo version" Ronnie was thinking of Son House.
On the day he lost his life that's all he had to do ,that has to be one of the best lines I've ever heard in a song. I've been listening to this song since I was a kid and that line still gives me goosebumps , one of the many skynyrd masterpieces.
I have long thought that when it comes to American bands and songwriting, while telling a great story at the same time, through the 70', 80' and 90's there was no one better than Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Ballad Of Curtis Loew is just a little piece of the proof among so many.
Back in the late 60's early 70's, you could be broke and just walk to the store, pick up enough drink bottles and turn em in at the store, and get a soda. Sometimes even a honey bun and a pack of nabs to go with it. I had a dobro for several years. It was my cousin's but he never played it, so he let me borrow it. I could play it almost ok. He finally took it back and gave it to his son. That young fella figured it out and can burn it up now.
I have been watching y'all for a while now and you guys are great. You know music, you don't waste time, and you feel the music, like this reaction to "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" shows. Thank you.
I’ve only recently discovered your channel. And I really appreciate the fact that you both actually listen to the music, and not just wait to talk over it like so many other channels. You take the time and actually listen and appreciate it for what it is and the essence of the performance and I think that’s a great thing ✌🏻
Jorma Kaukonnen, guitarist for Jefferson Airplane and then later for Hot Tuna, is one of the finest acoustic blues players, and is still performing and runs teaching camps. If you listen to anything from Hot Tuna's first album, which is all acoustic blues (try the opener, Hesitation Blues), you'll see what I mean. Turns out he grew up in DC and he learned how to play this from old, anonymous Black blues players who lived around town. Similar story, I would guess.
I haven't heard this in so long! It really brought back memories of my brother & I singing along with Lynyrd Skynyrd. So glad you guys reacted to this one! Much love.
Ronnie is Americana personified, pure and simple. This is his tribute to the forgotten and overlooked black blues players who were a huge inspiration to the Skynyrd boys.Ronnie always wrote songs for the average every day man and no one can touch him in that regard. I in all honesty can say he never wrote a bad song!! This one is outstanding, a story that appeals to anyone with heart and soul and an ear for a great tune . The greatest American band EVER!!! It’s ironic you mentioned The Beatles cause the whole band were huge Beatles fans and Ronnie loved Merle Haggard as well. Add in the gospel, country, rock, blues and you got a taste of it all with the boys from Jacksonville! I try not to think of what could have and should have been for this band in the future considering all the tragedies that haunted them even years after the plane crash. It makes me sick and is I think the worst tragedy in the music industries history and there were a lot.
Great reaction!! Can't wait till you guys check out the live stuff from the One More From the Road album!!! They were so tight live. Ronnie made sure they played exactly to the album recording but the energy they played with is outstanding. Ronnie Van Zant would perform in bare feet. He said he wanted to feel the heat from the stage when they performed. They brought the heat every night!!
The song is based on a composite of people who actually lived in the Van Zants' original neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. Specifically, the country store "is based on Claude's Midway Grocery on the corner of Plymouth and Lakeshore [Blvd] in Jacksonville." The specific spelling of the surname comes from Ed King writing the liner notes for the Second Helping and deciding to name the bluesman after the Jewish Loew's Theatre.[7] Some of the sources mentioned include Claude H. "Papa" Hammer, Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne, Robert Johnson, and Shorty Medlocke, the grandfather of Rickey Medlocke, Lynyrd Skynyrd's drummer during their 1970 tour and one of the band's current guitarists
Skynyrd members have said Curtis is loosely based on Shorty Medlocke an old blues player and grandfather of Skynyrd and Blackfoot alum Ricky Medlocke who lived nearby.You can hear Shorty play harmonica on Blackfoots song Train Train and on Blackfoots Tomcattin album you used to have behind you on the wall in other videos
Ronnie was a perfectionist to the point where he'd force everyone to stay in the recording room until the track was perfect. Little known fact about Ronnie, he wanted to be a professional boxer but when that didn't work out....he put his mind to being a musician and thank god he did.
Hey ! I am from the Mississippi delta and I know those old cats that played and sang the blues… saying that I’ve had to move for work but the orginal Historical po monkeys is where it started for so so many!! The best friend I ever had was Jake … he played and sang told me so many life’s stories!!! I miss those days!! ❤️Tennessee
If y’all ever get in the Jax, Florida area I could take you to a lot of historic landmarks for Lynyrd Skynyrd and schedule a tour with Gene Odum ( Skynyrd’s head of security and Ronnie’s best friend ). Green Cove Boy here from back in the day, know a few people! If you want some of their Best blues music check out their legends album specifically “Mr. banker” and”4 walls of Raiford” . Enjoy!
On July 4, 1975 in Memphis, after all the intro bands finished by 7:30 and the sun was still out. It was hotter than Hades in the stadium and the Stones wanted to wait until dark to play. They sent out into Memphis and brought an ancient Furry Lewis in to play a few songs until dark. This song always makes me think of Furry.
Have been waiting for you guys to do this one for a long time. So happy that you finally met Curtis. Tells the story of Ronnie's influnces as a boy living in the south and hearing the blues.
This is in fact supposed to be a true story. I hope it is. Even if its not. What a beautiful sentiment of good people. You only meet people like Curtis. Once in a lifetime. I met a similar man in my life.
On November 23, 1973, we saw Lynyrd Skynyrd open for The Who in Dallas. I heard a preview of their SECOND HELPING album and a performance of QUADROPHENIA by The Who.
(on aging memory) Well I was cutting the rug down at a place called The Jug with a girl named Lindy Lou / and ... Said hey there fella with the hair colored yella, what cha tryin to do? Every line is a killer.
A tribute to all the amazing black blues guitarists that never knew fame but influenced an entire generation. My fav Skynyrd song.
That's right.
Mine too! There's just something about this song that makes me Feel something everytime I hear it❤
I remember my 4 year old in his car seat who knew EVERY word to this song off the Platinum & Gold album who would bang his head and the part he sang the loudest was "Ole Curt was a black man with white curly hair"... he knew every word to that song and wanted it played over and over! Timeless music influencing all generations!
I cried throught this whole song. My Mother passed recently and this was her favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song
Bless her soul. She certainly had great musical taste!
So sorry, my mother suddenly past a year ago...
Sorry for your loss.
May her memory be a blessing.
Dang, hugs
This is exactly how Hank Williams Sr. learned to play guitar. He would go see an old black man, named Tee Tot play when he was young.
That Ed King guitar work is an absolute masterpiece
Ed was my stepmoms cousin. Once when they were visiting him, he sent me a "Sweet Home Alabama" riff birthday phone message! RIP Ed!
@ Amazing! What a musician
The blues musicians and singers inspired most of the 50s musicians and all of the 60s musician, which in turn inspired the 70's musicians: the best decade for music ever.
Great song, great reaction. No one did it like Skynyrd.
The last line he says he wished he was here so every one would know , so this is a trubute to a man that while alive no one appreciated him but now his story and name is known by millions.
Ronnie was a lyrical genius!!!!
Ronnie had a way with words. Great storyteller. He pulled from life to write his songs.
Yep, I hunted many a bottle along the roadsides to take them to the store and get me enough money to buy me some gum, or candy cigarettes or maybe even a pack of baseball cards. Brings back my childhood every time I hear it. Man I long for those days again.
Skynyrd = 🔥 always.
Thanks for the reaction. ✌️
Did the same thing. Bubble gum and RC Cola.
Did the same! Other sources for change money were under couch or chair cushions, purses in mom’s closet, vending machine change returns, and church league softball field base paths!
We bought Penny Candy with the money that we got.
Finding quart bottles was the motherlode.
Great memories of the neighborhood store. We'd get our 5 cent bottle deposit and buy candy. Tons of candy. I loved Spree and Lik'm Aid. And those candy necklaces and gum of any kind. Back when Coke had real cane sugar. We were on a first-name basis with the owner, manager and one employee. Small town values. Those were the days.
This is southern rock. Blues, rock, a little country, and a touch of southern gospel. Originated around Jacksonville Florida.
Another all time classic from the great Lynyrd Skynyrd. Nobody did it better back then, or ever since. RIP!
I was hoping you guys would get here! Love this tune.
All Skynyrd songs are life stories.
The story is supposedly an amalgamation of characters from bandmember's past. This was released in the early 70's so the timeline could have been Jim Crowe south (50's). The dobro is a hollow steel guitar, similar to an acoustic, but you can put in on your knee. Song gets me every time I hear it 🔥❤
This is another song that will earn you instant cred when you play it on the juke box down at the local pool hall - guaranteed. That's a Dobro playing on the lead instrument - an acoustic guitar with a metal resonator built in. Stephen Stills plays one solo on his TREETOP FLIER from his solo album 'Stills Alone'; it's tuned down to DADGAD, rather than standard EADGBE tuning.
Another great example of how music connects us and builds bridges
Skynyrd is one of the very few bands that doesn’t have a crappy song in their catalog. Either superb or good
It's really true. Their catalogue is so deep & I haven't heard a bad song yet.
A dobro is a resonator guitar, the one with the big round metal plate under the strings. The slide guitar in this song is a dobro.
More Skynyrd!!! Love it Laa and Chee!!
Beautiful tribute to those who influenced Skynyrd….brings a tear to my eye.
"The true meaning of recycling". Right on. What an interesting thing to think about, and it percolates all the way up through 70 layers. I sure did enjoy this reaction.
Laughing my ass off at your reaction, love you guys. ❤️ that was a great Beatles reference in there! And I've always loved this one, it's just so involved and it's the right amount of technical proficiency but also just having fun.
Man, I couldn't click on this fast enough! LOVE this tune so much.
When my kids were little they’d ask for Curtis Lowe and Swamp Music on the way back from choir on Wednesday nights.
One of the utmost classic is the song give me back my bullets😅😅😅😅😅
First Album I ever brought. So long ago. I loved this song
Gawd, is there ever a time we needed skynyrd more than now
This is my all time favorite Skynyrd Tune...Blues/Rock at its finest.
This is my favorite LS song! Thank you very much for reacting to it, not many people do. I love that a child could recognize the greatness of a man's talent and appreciate him so much.
Great reaction! I've heard various stories on who the song was based on, but I believe the most reliable is that it was based on Shorty Medlock father to Ricky who was an original member before they hit it big , but left to form his own band Blackfoot ( Train Train & Highway Song ) Ricky later rejoined the band in the 90s & is still with them to this day. Ricky & his dad Shorty are of American Indian decent.
I have heard the same story. I think it was attributed to one of the band members saying so, as I recall.
Shorty was actually Ricky medlockes maternal grand father, but you’re correct he raised Ricky. The Native American 1/2 of Ricky comes from his father who was Lakota I think. Shorty was mainly a bluegrass musician and I think he had a Jacksonville area based radio or tv show which Ricky was on as a boy.
Ronnie Van Zant said "this is a tribute to all the Blues Players that have come and gone" so many unknown people, I know he liked Son House (Delta Blues) - who was never a great technician, nor did he ever gain the popularity of the great Robert Johnson, but could capture your attention, a storyteller in the purist sense... a Man of the Blues.
Son House - Shetland Pony Blues, is a recording held in the library of Congress 1941 - 42
I think when you listen to Skynyrds "Mr Banker" and "Four Walls of Raiford demo version" Ronnie was thinking of Son House.
On the day he lost his life that's all he had to do ,that has to be one of the best lines I've ever heard in a song. I've been listening to this song since I was a kid and that line still gives me goosebumps , one of the many skynyrd masterpieces.
I can’t believe you guys haven’t done this one. ☝️. This is such a great song. Man. Tells ya who Ronnie really was. Sang this from the heart ❤️
I have long thought that when it comes to American bands and songwriting, while telling a great story at the same time, through the 70', 80' and 90's there was no one better than Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Ballad Of Curtis Loew is just a little piece of the proof among so many.
God bless y'all! Skynyrd has so many great songs. My favorite band of all time, even though they were before my time
After all these years this song still brings tears to my eyes when I listen to it
Back in the late 60's early 70's, you could be broke and just walk to the store, pick up enough drink bottles and turn em in at the store, and get a soda. Sometimes even a honey bun and a pack of nabs to go with it.
I had a dobro for several years. It was my cousin's but he never played it, so he let me borrow it. I could play it almost ok. He finally took it back and gave it to his son. That young fella figured it out and can burn it up now.
This is one of my favorite Skynyrd songs. So hauntingly beautiful. 🥰
I have been watching y'all for a while now and you guys are great. You know music, you don't waste time, and you feel the music, like this reaction to "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" shows. Thank you.
Curtis was a combination of several local musicians in Jacksonville Florida but mostly based on Shorty Medlocke
😊😊😊. Fellas, you are cooking with FISH GREASE!! Thanks for the excellent reaction, fellas!!
Ronnie was the ultimate story teller .. and he never wrote anything down .. absolute stone cold genius
Just popped up in my feed so I'm going to enjoy this reaction all over again. Love y'all.
@@stevedahlberg8680 Happy New Year!!
SO LOVE THIS SONG!!! THANKS, YA'LL!!!
This may have been inspired by Shorty Medlocke , but there are actually still Curtis Loew's in every little hamlet around the Globe to this day .
Thanks guys, always here for any original Skynyrd.
Shout out to Ed King on slide guitar!
I’ve only recently discovered your channel. And I really appreciate the fact that you both actually listen to the music, and not just wait to talk over it like so many other channels. You take the time and actually listen and appreciate it for what it is and the essence of the performance and I think that’s a great thing ✌🏻
@@TheElusiveCav thanks for rocking with us!!!
Jorma Kaukonnen, guitarist for Jefferson Airplane and then later for Hot Tuna, is one of the finest acoustic blues players, and is still performing and runs teaching camps. If you listen to anything from Hot Tuna's first album, which is all acoustic blues (try the opener, Hesitation Blues), you'll see what I mean. Turns out he grew up in DC and he learned how to play this from old, anonymous Black blues players who lived around town. Similar story, I would guess.
I haven't heard this in so long! It really brought back memories of my brother & I singing along with Lynyrd Skynyrd. So glad you guys reacted to this one! Much love.
Ronnie is Americana personified, pure and simple. This is his tribute to the forgotten and overlooked black blues players who were a huge inspiration to the Skynyrd boys.Ronnie always wrote songs for the average every day man and no one can touch him in that regard. I in all honesty can say he never wrote a bad song!! This one is outstanding, a story that appeals to anyone with heart and soul and an ear for a great tune . The greatest American band EVER!!! It’s ironic you mentioned The Beatles cause the whole band were huge Beatles fans and Ronnie loved Merle Haggard as well. Add in the gospel, country, rock, blues and you got a taste of it all with the boys from Jacksonville! I try not to think of what could have and should have been for this band in the future considering all the tragedies that haunted them even years after the plane crash. It makes me sick and is I think the worst tragedy in the music industries history and there were a lot.
they'll never be another skynyrd
Great reaction again guys..
Yessir..I seen SKYNYRD. 3 times..
Jax,fla.ROCKD
Americana - legendary tune.
GREAT song. GREAT reaction
Great reaction!! Can't wait till you guys check out the live stuff from the One More From the Road album!!! They were so tight live. Ronnie made sure they played exactly to the album recording but the energy they played with is outstanding. Ronnie Van Zant would perform in bare feet. He said he wanted to feel the heat from the stage when they performed. They brought the heat every night!!
The song is based on a composite of people who actually lived in the Van Zants' original neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. Specifically, the country store "is based on Claude's Midway Grocery on the corner of Plymouth and Lakeshore [Blvd] in Jacksonville." The specific spelling of the surname comes from Ed King writing the liner notes for the Second Helping and deciding to name the bluesman after the Jewish Loew's Theatre.[7] Some of the sources mentioned include Claude H. "Papa" Hammer, Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne, Robert Johnson, and Shorty Medlocke, the grandfather of Rickey Medlocke, Lynyrd Skynyrd's drummer during their 1970 tour and one of the band's current guitarists
Absolutely correct
Robin Trower,,, Daydream,,, and ,,, I can't wait much longer,,,
Great song, Mr Ed King on slide guitar Gary Rossington with the Dobro 👏👏 y’all gotta listen to the song Comin’ home another banger
Skynyrd members have said Curtis is loosely based on Shorty Medlocke an old blues player and grandfather of Skynyrd and Blackfoot alum Ricky Medlocke who lived nearby.You can hear Shorty play harmonica on Blackfoots song Train Train and on Blackfoots Tomcattin album you used to have behind you on the wall in other videos
Thank you so much for this reaction, this is one of my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song.
Ronnie was a perfectionist to the point where he'd force everyone to stay in the recording room until the track was perfect. Little known fact about Ronnie, he wanted to be a professional boxer but when that didn't work out....he put his mind to being a musician and thank god he did.
Hey ! I am from the Mississippi delta and I know those old cats that played and sang the blues… saying that I’ve had to move for work but the orginal Historical po monkeys is where it started for so so many!! The best friend I ever had was Jake … he played and sang told me so many life’s stories!!! I miss those days!! ❤️Tennessee
I love the story in this song. It has to be true thank you both.
True life song by him
My favorite Skynyrd tune!
If y’all ever get in the Jax, Florida area I could take you to a lot of historic landmarks for Lynyrd Skynyrd and schedule a tour with Gene Odum ( Skynyrd’s head of security and Ronnie’s best friend ). Green Cove Boy here from back in the day, know a few people! If you want some of their Best blues music check out their legends album specifically “Mr. banker” and”4 walls of Raiford” . Enjoy!
I did a tour with Gene. It was the highlight of my whole year.
@ He is a living legend and knows everything there is to know about Skynyrd!
One of their best !!!!!
I love this band and this in my opinion is the best song they did.
Loved this since I was a child...!!!
RVZ was a poet! This song is a true story ❤🎶
On July 4, 1975 in Memphis, after all the intro bands finished by 7:30 and the sun was still out. It was hotter than Hades in the stadium and the Stones wanted to wait until dark to play. They sent out into Memphis and brought an ancient Furry Lewis in to play a few songs until dark. This song always makes me think of Furry.
I was there too. A couple of guys used to go pick up Furry and bring him to my high school to play for us at lunch. For a bottle of course.
Those old blues players influenced a lot of rockers.
Have been waiting for you guys to do this one for a long time. So happy that you finally met Curtis. Tells the story of Ronnie's influnces as a boy living in the south and hearing the blues.
One of my favs by the band together with Mr Banker, Freebird, Was I Right or Wrong, and That Smell.
One of my favorite songs ✌🏻☀️
This is in fact supposed to be a true story. I hope it is. Even if its not. What a beautiful sentiment of good people. You only meet people like Curtis. Once in a lifetime. I met a similar man in my life.
I do believe this is my favorite Skynyrd song.
LOVE this song.
One of their best!♥️
stopping my feets gets me every time. Excellently written and wraps life up in a cold reality. thanks guys
On November 23, 1973, we saw Lynyrd Skynyrd open for The Who in Dallas. I heard a preview of their SECOND HELPING album and a performance of QUADROPHENIA by The Who.
One of my favorite Skynerd tunes for sure.
Hell Yeah Y'all
Thanks for playing this one, I love it. ❤ Curtis Lowe and Simple Man are my two favorite Skynyrd songs.
one of my faves by skynyrd
Guy's it's bout time you got around to this song I really enjoy watch y'all's reactions
I watch a lot of music reactors and you guys are the best by far!!!
My favorite song by Skynyrd. Really paints a picture in your mind.
My favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song!!!😊
The guitar on the cover of Dire Straits album "Brothers in Arms" is a Dobro.
"On the day he lost his life, that's all he had to lose.." This is LS best song, and I'll die on that hill.
Lynyrd Skynyrd had some great stories in their music. Another one, I don’t think you guys have hit it yet, is Gimme three steps.
(on aging memory) Well I was cutting the rug down at a place called The Jug with a girl named Lindy Lou /
and ... Said hey there fella with the hair colored yella, what cha tryin to do?
Every line is a killer.
They did it already. Check out the playlist.
@@324cmac okay, thanks
This is one of those albums that you would drop the needle and put on your headphones and sit back and read the album credits.
Perfect song!
"We need more black bands"
--Questlove
I completely agree
We did the Roots on our hiphop page.
So glad you played this👍
I truly believe, that had RVZ had more time, he would’ve changed the south forever. This country was robbed of a lot when he died. ❤
Great song.
✨🫶🏼 ✨ What You Said, Plus Bitter~Sweet With a Few Tears at The End.✨🫶🏼✨
so glad you guys did this song it is one of the best skynyrd songs