VA - Best of Southern Rock: Extended Versions (2002)

To call this compilation Best of Southern Rock is a bit of a misnomer, because it really isn't. The performances selected here aren't exactly the highest of quality, to say nothing of the heinous omission of the Allman Brothers from this elite group of Southern rockers. Recorded live over a five-year span from 1996-2001, it features some of the most respected and iconic figures of Southern rock performing some of their greatest songs. Appropriately starting off with Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic "Sweet Home Alabama," the compilation wastes no time in getting down to business, taking cuts from .38 Special, Van Zant, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and the always hard rockin' gurus Molly Hatchet. While the inclusion of some songs over others may leave die-hard fans scratching their heads and inquiring where the big hits are, this economically sensible compilation is a nice showcase of the genre's finest bands, and serves as a nice stepping stone into a style of rock sorely undervalued in the rock & roll catalog.