Even if the music was only average-sounding, this set would still score major points for the info provided in the 4-page color booklet. When Skynyrd appeared at the ’76 Knebworth fest they recorded and filmed the set for posterity; it became the core of the 1995 documentary Freebird – The Movie. However, due to technical glitches the songs “What’s Your Name,” “That Smell” and “Freebird” couldn’t be used, and versions of them from a ’77 gig had to be substituted. So the compilers here have turned up the complete pro-recorded Knebworth show (minus one song, “Searchin’”), and they’ve sweetened the deal by presenting it with what they claim is an alternate mix who’s EQing is substantially better sounding than the official release. All this is outlined in great detail in the liner notes. And indeed, the sound is just about flawless to these ears, evenly mixed with plenty of stereo separation and good dynamics.
Note that the Knebworth material was also booted on a single-CD set called Minos Was There; I haven’t heard that one so I can’t compare sound or tracklistings to see if the two boots are identical.
Also appearing at the fest were The Rolling Stones, 10cc, Todd Rundgren's Utopia , Hot Tuna and the Don Harrison Band. If you want to know more about it an interesting website about Knebworth can be found at http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/ebony/546/76-Knebworth-festival.html.
Then over on Disc Two is some equally interesting material, albeit nowhere near as good sound quality. Tracks 1-7 are so-called “living room rehearsals” in which you hear then-new guitarist Steve Gaines being taught selected tunes, key riffs, etc. in the Skynyrd setlist. Some of these are fragmentary with false starts but they’re still pretty interesting as a kind of “behind the curtain” glimpse of the band. Again, the liner notes go into great detail about the tunes and what was going on with Skynyrd. No doubt the album title is a nod to the fact that the band was breaking in newcomer Gaines at the time – and that he’s shortly have his chance to “fly” at Knebworth.
The remaining tracks, 8-20, are probably for Skynyrd completists: Gaines’ pre-Skynyrd garage/blues band Detroit, a fairly good sounding soundboard recording from ’73. Note that the final song cuts off in the middle and also has some odd "popping" glitches in it. Here’s some info I found on the official Skynyrd website about Detroit and Gaines’ general career trajectory before joining Skynyrd:
“Steve began his musical journey as a young guitar player with the Ravens, a local band from his hometown of Miami, Oklahoma. The group made its first recording at the immortal Sun Recording Studio in Memphis. Next came RIO Smokehouse, which led to a stint with Rusty Day and Detroit, a band that grew out of the earlier ensemble fronted by Mitch Ryder. It was during that time in Michigan that Steve hooked up with producer John Ryan and the two became lifelong friends. Steve recorded several tracks with Ryan, including a version of the Curtis Mayfield classic, 'Its Alright', first performed by the Impressions. These songs were eventually released by MCA in 1988 as a Steve Gaines solo album, One In The Sun. Steve married his longtime girlfriend, Teresa, and had a daughter, Corrina, in 1974. In 1976, Lynyrd Skynyrd seriously started looking for a third guitarist to replace Ed King who suddenly left the band in 1975.”
Overall, Teaching An Oakie To Fly ranks as one of the better Skynyrd boots out there, from both a sound and packaging standpoint, and of course from its archival significance as well. Don’t pass it up. -- OSWALD
