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The Summer Road Trip Tour featuring Train and REO Speedwagon was truly a concert for the ages. Delayed for an hour by high winds and a downpour as fans were arriving, it also dropped the temperature 15 degrees or more from what otherwise would have been a typical hot and humid Atlanta night.
The show began with Atlanta’s own Yacht Rock Review, now a premier cover band and one becoming accustomed to touring with mainline artists such as Kenny Loggins a couple of years ago. The ensemble has the vocal and instrumental talent to do it, performing a variety of soft rock hits from the 70’s and 80’s such as Fleetwood Mac’s “You Make Loving Fun,” Michael McDonald’s “Sweet Freedom,” Toto’s “Africa,” Kenny Loggins’ “Heart to Heart. They’re all good, but mimicking Brad Delp’s voice on Boston’s “More Than a Feeling” isn’t for the timid, and the sax on Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street” can pretty much own a stage.
While YRR has covered REO Speedwagon before, that band actually began the late 1960’s and continued as a rock band until they began transitioning to pop oriented songs such as “Time For Me to Fly” on 1978’s regrettably titled, You Can Tune a Piano but You Can’t Tuna Fish.
Although REO includes no original members, it’s singer Kevin Cronin’s band and it’s his vocals that made the band a hit. At 72 and “rock star thin,” how he manages to reach almost all of the high notes is a wonder, and as a result, REO remains a legit act to catch live. Better, you can see and feel the joy he has in performing, joking that he thought pairing with Train would be a good idea because they could bring in a younger crowd. Among a very imaginative series of backgrounds, a giant red background reading “ROCK N’ ROLL will keep you young FOREVER” seemed an appropriate summation all around.
Among all the hits were two deep cuts, “Son of a Poor Man” which held the audience’s attention, and “Music Man,” which didn’t, though an interesting inclusion as the first song he wrote. With the trademark “wailing storm siren,” the best of the set was the purer rock punch of “Ridin’ the Storm Out.” Humorously, Cronin admitted following one song that “That might not have come out exactly as I intended but at least you know I’m singing live.” The band also shared an old interview with Cronin about 1985’s Live Aid which led to a thank you to fans for their support and giving him a career. You gotta love rock legends without pretense.
Headlining at the closer end of the generation gap was Train. Although they began in 1993, it wouldn’t be until 1998 when they managed to self-release their eponymously titled debut album. Hearing Train’s more popular songs in a setting might be a reminder of how many songs I’ve liked that I never pinned to a band name. Others have, thus a sell-out of the 12,000 seat venue.
Leader/singer Pat Monahan brought a great set of songs and kept the energy high. Other than when playing acoustic guitar, there was no need for his mic stand as he constantly traveled across the stage, emoting as needed for his songs and engaging the crowd simultaneously. “If It’s Love” is now by tradition a song where fans can toss their smartphones to Pat, and he takes selfies, and possibly short vids, of himself with the crowd/phone owner in view behind him. He seemed to have a pretty keen sense of where to toss the phone back as well.
It’s one thing to be energetic and charismatic, but there was no sign that he wasn’t genuinely having fun despite the pat manor of lengthy tours. He also likes to throw a party, with streamers shot into the air for two songs, inflatable balls kicked into the audience, a T-shirt give-away and confetti on the finale. If you’re in the front row, be sure to practice the lyrics to “Bruises” because he’ll jump into the pit and grab people to singalong. Alpharetta’s audience was surprisingly capable.
All the hit songs, popular cover songs to prompt (even) more crowd participation, a great backing band, and full-on energy from the singer… what more do you need? A ticket? There were great moments by all three bands, and you can’t ask for more than that. Catch the Summer Road trip before it winds down mid-September.
Train setlist:
REO Speedwagon setlist:
Encore:
