By Dave Parsons
With a first-rate, in-house sound system, seating on two levels, a wrap around bar and a standing only floor, (dance floor on some nights), Jergels Rhythm Grille in Warrendale, PA is a great place to see a show. They book some acts in there that you don’t get to see at other venues.
Such as a recent Sunday evening, that the Atlanta Rhythm Section was booked to perform. I have heard the Atlanta Rhythm Section described as a Southern Rock band, a lite rock pop band or a modern-day country group. Their songs have stood the test of time, and even though most of the original members are not with them, or us, anymore, it didn’t stop a nice size crowd from gathering.
The crowd was already in a good mood, as they had watched the Steelers win their game on the TV’s, just minutes before the music started. The buzz was still in the room as the lights dimmed, the TV’s switched to the closed-circuit cameras, and the members of the Atlanta Rhythm Section took their places. Opening with Homesick, the vibe was set that took many in the audience back to their youths in the 1970’s.
Moving quickly into one of their signature songs, Champagne Jam, the crowd was already connecting to the music and the group that brought them some good memories. For a band with this much history, there have been changes in the group. Lead singer Rodney Justo is the last member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section’s classic line-up who still lives.
Singer and keyboardist Ronnie Hammond died in 2011. Drummer Robert Nix passed in 2012. The band lost bassist Paul Goddard in 2014. Guitarists J. R. Cobb and Barry Bailey, and keyboardist Dean Daughtry all passed in the last 5 years. That leaves Justo to carry on the band’s legacy.
I was delightfully surprised to get an email response to my request to review the show, from Justo himself. Quite often, you go through layers of publicists, and representatives and you get to the venue, and your name is not on the list. My name was there, and a follow up email before showtime, to confirm all was good. He even added my request to the setlist!!!
Integrity as the word that came to mind when I had that email exchange with him. He cared enough to check, and from those first few songs, it was obvious he made sure the current makeup of the band had been well prepared on the music. Weaving their way through their hits, Spooky took on a vibe of its own live, as well as I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight, with some great instrumental leads from the band.
The song I asked for, Do It or Die, was every bit as much like the record that I played on my high school radio station 40 years ago. The band’s label in those days serviced our high school station with their new releases, and I was introduced to their music. I told Justo afterwards that the 40 year wait did not disappoint.
The extended versions of So into You, and Jukin’ had many standing on the floor with their mouths open. These 75 minutes of songs were all about the memories made while listening to them.
The finale, Imaginary Lover turned into a giant sing along, building up to the final note and a well-deserved standing ovation. The band quickly made their way to the merchandise table and the line quickly formed to the other end of the floor. Story after story about the songs, and what they remembered doing, or who they were with 40 some years ago, came back to life. The band listened to every single story, with intense interest, and expressed thanks for being able to be a part of that.
And, Justo was at the end of the line, surveying the scene, like a proud father. Happy that his current band mates and he were doing the job in helping to take care of his kids, the songs these folks came to hear. He had a grin from ear to ear.
Atlanta Rhythm Section Setlist:
1 Homesick
2 Champagne Jam
3 Spooky
4 Doraville
5 Large Time
6 Boogie Smoogie
7 I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight
8 Do It or Die
9 Undercover Angel
10 So into You
11 Jukin’
12 Imaginary Lover
