DougGuy
06-14-2021, 09:39 PM
Few songwriters have the gift of the gab like Ronnie Van Zant had, he brought life to the stories of Florida boys growing up tough, girls that shoulda known better, and embraced much of the same life that millions of fans could relate to. He just told it like it was, but he had a style, he had street cred, and he had a dream that he shared with the band and together they relentlessly pursued those ideals, and in the process left us a legacy of Southern Rock that would not likely be equaled, re-written, or added to, until now.
The Steel Woods aren't out to outdo Skynyrd, but they sure have found a vein of gold in their no nonsense countrified southern rock, their lyrics tell the tales of shady characters, love and deceit, while the music is hard driven guitars yet very melodic, chiming, all in the same. This is modern rock that even I can listen to, over and over, you can hear the words, the guitars are well played not like some spiky haired speed freak trying to choke a cat to death. The songs are well conceived, and equally well written. This is GREAT stuff.
The Steel Woods have a unique trilogy that spans all 3 albums, it is a love story of Della Jane, and her lover Jimmy Sutherland who decides he is going to dump Della Jane and marry Anna Lee and run off. Della Jane is having no part of this and kills Jimmy down at the river, knees in the mud she prays "Lord, wash away all of my sins and his body too." This is song crafting and southern story telling like only a gifted few know how to do.
Sadly, after recording the 3rd album guitarist and founding member Jason "Rowdy" Cope died in his sleep at the age of 42. Before joining singer/songwriter/guitarist Wes Bayliss to form The Steel Woods in 2015 he played guitar in Jamey Johnson's band for 9 1/2 years. A lot of the same hard edged country that Jamey Johnson is known for permeates the songs of The Steel Woods, and they lay out some outlaw country that hits home like a double shot of bourbon whiskey warms the bones.
Paying homage to their mentors, TSW serves up a respected reading of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "I Need You" featuring the vocals of singer Ashley Monroe, a shockingly realistic version of Black Sabbath's "Changes" showcases singer Wes Bayliss' voice as he NAILS Ozzy to the tee, the band also knocks the dust off of The Allman Brothers' "Whipping Post." The second album, 2019's "Old News" closes with a Tom Petty written anthem "Southern Accents."
If you are a fan of Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Allmans, Georgia Satellites, Blackberry Smoke, Hank Sr. & Jr, Jamey Johnson, you would probably take a liking to The Steel Woods.
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Some comments from the reviews:
"The best "southern rock" band out, hands down. Fans of country and rock will equally really appreciate this band. It's not cliche like many bands neither is it generic. Somehow rhey manage to sound wonderfully familiar yet fresh and original at the same time. The songs become instant classics. With the passing of their founder and lead guitarist, producer and songwriter this album hits even harder. This is his final offering to the world and it doesn't disappoint. RIP Rowdy."
"Sometimes there can be a fine line between triumph and tragedy, but rarely do they walk hand in hand. In the case of the beloved and acclaimed band The Steel Woods, the two have collided head on. Just as the group completed their triumphant third album, the epic “All Of Your Stones”, tragedy struck hard. Band co-founder and leading light, 42 year old guitarist/songwriter Jason “Rowdy” Cope suddenly passed away unexpectedly. The loss has shaken the foundation of The Steel Woods and their loyal fanbase, but they are working to push forward. The band is releasing “All Of Your Stones” to honor Cope and the heart, soul, passion and vision he put into this band. The Steel Woods meant everything to him and he and his bandmates have never shined brighter than on this new album."
The Steel Woods aren't out to outdo Skynyrd, but they sure have found a vein of gold in their no nonsense countrified southern rock, their lyrics tell the tales of shady characters, love and deceit, while the music is hard driven guitars yet very melodic, chiming, all in the same. This is modern rock that even I can listen to, over and over, you can hear the words, the guitars are well played not like some spiky haired speed freak trying to choke a cat to death. The songs are well conceived, and equally well written. This is GREAT stuff.
The Steel Woods have a unique trilogy that spans all 3 albums, it is a love story of Della Jane, and her lover Jimmy Sutherland who decides he is going to dump Della Jane and marry Anna Lee and run off. Della Jane is having no part of this and kills Jimmy down at the river, knees in the mud she prays "Lord, wash away all of my sins and his body too." This is song crafting and southern story telling like only a gifted few know how to do.
Sadly, after recording the 3rd album guitarist and founding member Jason "Rowdy" Cope died in his sleep at the age of 42. Before joining singer/songwriter/guitarist Wes Bayliss to form The Steel Woods in 2015 he played guitar in Jamey Johnson's band for 9 1/2 years. A lot of the same hard edged country that Jamey Johnson is known for permeates the songs of The Steel Woods, and they lay out some outlaw country that hits home like a double shot of bourbon whiskey warms the bones.
Paying homage to their mentors, TSW serves up a respected reading of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "I Need You" featuring the vocals of singer Ashley Monroe, a shockingly realistic version of Black Sabbath's "Changes" showcases singer Wes Bayliss' voice as he NAILS Ozzy to the tee, the band also knocks the dust off of The Allman Brothers' "Whipping Post." The second album, 2019's "Old News" closes with a Tom Petty written anthem "Southern Accents."
If you are a fan of Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Allmans, Georgia Satellites, Blackberry Smoke, Hank Sr. & Jr, Jamey Johnson, you would probably take a liking to The Steel Woods.
284517 284518 284519
Some comments from the reviews:
"The best "southern rock" band out, hands down. Fans of country and rock will equally really appreciate this band. It's not cliche like many bands neither is it generic. Somehow rhey manage to sound wonderfully familiar yet fresh and original at the same time. The songs become instant classics. With the passing of their founder and lead guitarist, producer and songwriter this album hits even harder. This is his final offering to the world and it doesn't disappoint. RIP Rowdy."
"Sometimes there can be a fine line between triumph and tragedy, but rarely do they walk hand in hand. In the case of the beloved and acclaimed band The Steel Woods, the two have collided head on. Just as the group completed their triumphant third album, the epic “All Of Your Stones”, tragedy struck hard. Band co-founder and leading light, 42 year old guitarist/songwriter Jason “Rowdy” Cope suddenly passed away unexpectedly. The loss has shaken the foundation of The Steel Woods and their loyal fanbase, but they are working to push forward. The band is releasing “All Of Your Stones” to honor Cope and the heart, soul, passion and vision he put into this band. The Steel Woods meant everything to him and he and his bandmates have never shined brighter than on this new album."