Freebird
In #Neuromusicology there's a concept called #spatialorganization. I contend uncontentiously that #Freebird is a perfect definition for the idea of an expert #musicalperformance. It demands precise #sequencing (#isochronous) but also spatial organization of movements. (i.e. the #crowd or #audience). Ronnie was a master at it. He founded #LynryrdSkynyrd with #GaryRossington (LG), #AllenCollins(LG), #LarryJunstrom (bass guitar) and #BobBurns (drums). Band on stage includes #LeonWilkeson playing bass and #ArtemisPyle on drums.
The Knebworth crowd.
Not many study these #complexmotorcontrols to distinguished between sequential and #spatialorganization and their roles in spatial organization yet #expertmusicalperformancesdemand not only precise sequencing but also spatial organization of movements. Studies in animals and humans have established the involvement of #parietal, #sensorymotor and #premotorcortices in the control of movements, when the integration of spatial, sensory and motor information is required. Not many have directly examined the role of #spatialprocessing in the context of #musical tasks as evidenced such as thru a live recording and video makes possible.
Ronnie sings in the first part.
Let's start w/ the music. How about one of the best songs ever? Freebird. No debates. lol I'll show u how I see this seminal event for Skynyrd at the '76 Knebworth concert as the back-up band to the #RollingStones.
Some of what II tell u comes by patching together stuff I've seen and heard thru the yrs like documentaries, lyrics, YT videos, etc.
This guy looks SO content.
So b4 u read it and remember it all let me ask this, "If I leave (this post) here will still remember me?"
fyi #KathyCollins spoke this words yrs earlier during an argument over what Allen loved movie, his guitar or her. Allen made her never forget. And we can't forget now either. Thx Kathy! (remember her pic standing b4 the sea with white doves flying up on either side of her in. white dress? Freebird/s? ...from this video. https://www.youtube.com/
Woodstock looking couple listens.
1. Freebird was written when Allen was in HS at @ aged 17. 2yrs b4 anybody in Skynyrd saw/heard it.
Allen Collins on the 1st part about to play his best ever.
2. The opening line, "If I leave here tomorrow will u still remember me?" was spoken to Allen Collins the author by his girl friend Kathy. When Ronnie sings those opening words (I saw it on chorus too) he blinks and looks up as if acknowledging that if its today then like before the plane crash, he’s ready. Spooky!
Ronnie looks to stage right and seems to acknowledge someone with those opening words. Is he looking at Kathy?
3. Its in 3 parts. 1-Slow beginning from 0:00-6:45 mark. 2-Band members faster part from 6:45-10 min mark. And 3-at 10 min mark till the long dragged out end. The finale is ALL Allen Collins.
During the 2nd part the 3 lead guitarists go out as far as their cords will allow. Bassist Leon Wilkerson goes bit too far for his cord and has to twist back. Ronnie has it almost ready for Allen to cut loose in HIS 3rd part.
Another cool Woodstockian couple. Their eyes are incredible!
4. Freebird was Skynyrd's closing song, usu done in tribute to slide guitar great #DuaneAllman. The song wasn't planned as their closing song but circumstances dictated and they adjusted. Well. Hear Ronnie's homage to Duane as he exhorts his 'mule' Gary R. to "play it for Duane Allman" at the 56:30 mark of the extended version NOT the 13 min version I have posted first. Look below.
Ronnie with his Muscle Shoals shirt on.
Both LS and the Allmans had close ties to Muscle Shoals and Ronnie has a #MuscleShoals shirt on. Another sign of homage to Duane? For sure the Swampers as he sings of in Sweet Home Alabama. imo Ronnie looked at Gary as his mule and his version of the sweet slide guitar of Duane. I suspect after Duane camped out to get into FAME studios and discovered the gold nuggets there he shared this w/ Ronnie and the connection may be that simple? The honor for Duane the slide guitar 'savant' is obvious tho some of the nuances may be lost to time.
Gary Rossington, one of the ‘mules’ plays the opening solo.
5. As back up band Skynyrd was warned NOT to go out on the Rolling Stone's tongue logo assembled sage that looked like a tongue.
6. Ronnie will egg his band mates out to the tongue in the 2nd part. (at the 7:00 min mark in the 2nd part see Ronnie tell Allen Collins what's gonna happen. He eggs him out not just to play on the tongue but Skynyrdize it.
Ronnie walks Allen and Gary out to the Rolling Stone’s tongue stage and holds up his hand so Allen and Gary know they’re as far as their cords will allow
7. Song turns to 3rd part at the 10:00 min mark. Watch for Allen's feet jumping up and down. Now its HIS show. Till the close.
8. Watch how audience reaction changes from calm acceptance to wild abandon after Allen ups the ante.
Two fans losing it
9. The 3 guitar army was the lead guitar set up of Skynyrd and was fairly unique back then. Steve Gaines is the one appointed/qualified/best to keep Allen in the 'mood' and play off him esp as the conclusion approaches. Gary is the bridge btw Allen and Steve and the rest of the band at that pt. See Ronnie at the 5 min mark enjoy and watch the beauty btw Gaines and Collins as his plan as a professor of #neuromusicology comes to pass and he balances the spatial element with the crowd with the sequential element of the beat. There aren't many studies that look at the role of spatial processing in the context of musical tasks. So consider urself one of the privileged few.
Its beautiful.
Steve Gaines ‘egging’ on Allen Collins right before Allen goes ‘Freebird’ on the solo
You watch Ronnie especially when he's done singing he's the 'slow' one w/ the steadiest beat tapping just the downbeat and sometimes looks like its half time. Ronnie imo is the steadiest all the thru a performance as he keeps time and organizes the band mates to give their best performance of their lives. Allen's beat has to be less steady overall bcz he is the master improvisor as the lead guitar on Freebird.
Allen’s feet take flight at the 10 min mark.
10. AT the 10 min mark when Allen takes over the stage and walk out to the tip of the tongue the girls wave their scarves in wild support/abandon, the crowd goes from. watching too ]dancing, heads bobbing and shaking wildly back and forth, ppl in groups jumping up and down and getting high on life...
Allen and Ronnie have a few words toward the end and my guess is Ronnie was talking back control as is his style but look carefully and see Allen listen to Ronnie and the his look changes to one of "Dude I got this! I've been planning this form yrs!”
Imo Allen is the definition of #Beatinduction, the activation a regular, isochronous (equal time, i.e. steady), pulse is activated while one listens to music (i.e. the beat in which a regular #isochronouspulse is activated while one listens to #music (i.e. the beat) Allen will start the song b4 songs suing beat induction as he stomps his feet. U can observe beat induction on T for Texas as Ronnie asks the crowd to 'make it rain.' The beat is begun by the band as they raise their arms high as a signal tot he crowd to participate and they clap in equal time, like a marching band. Babies can jam to the beat too! https://www.pnas.org/content/106/7/2468
#AtremisPyle I didn't forgot bro! U are the definition of motor sequencing.
What's that u say? Its the ordering of individual movements, such as finger sequences for key presses, or the coordination of subcomponents of #complexmultijointmovements. i.e. Atremis Pyle #USMC hooyah drumming like a wild man back there somewhere hidden as he sweats out in his shorts? If u want more here's the whole 1 hr Skynyrdized Rolling Stones concert at Knebworth in '76.
https://www.youtube.com/
Kindly,
Scott Leigh
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