ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION "EUFAMLA"

Artist: Atlanta Rhythm Section
Album: Eufamla
Company: Platinum
Catalog: 15095 95532
Year: 1999
Genre: rock
Grade: **** 4 stars
Condition: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Comments: CD pressing
Quantity available: 1
Price: $20,00


Ronnie Hammond's unexpected 2013 death led me to pull out my ARS collection for the first time in a decade.  It also led me to rediscover some of the things I originally loved about the band and in doing so I discovered the band had continued to tour and record long after I'd lost my connection with them.  It only took me thirteen years to catch up, but 1999's Buddy Buie produced "Eufamla" was the first of their "new" collections to come into my hands.  The funny thing is in spite of the passing years, this sounded like prime ARS.  Lead singer Hammond looked older, but his voice remained instantly recognizable and in spite of some personnel changes (the 1999 line-up featured lead guitarist Barry Bailey, keyboardists Dean Daughtry and Steve Nathan, singer Ronnie Hammond, drummer R. J. Vealey, bassist Justin Senker, and rhythm guitarist Steve Stone), the band's patented sound remained as tight and enjoyable as ever.  And that old school sound might have explained the album's failure to attract much commercial attention.   Anyone looking for syn-drums, auto-tuning, and other state-of-the-art production effects was likely to have found this set hopelessly out-of-date.  Included among the eleven tracks were three fairly interesting ARS remakes ('I'm Not the Only One', 'Who You Gonna Run To', and 'What Happened To Us').  The rest of the collection was divided between patented ballads ('Dreamy Alabama' and 'When') and mid-tempo rockers ('Fine Day (The Day You Come Back To Me)' and 'Unique').   Completely overlooked by the audience (good luck finding a review of the CD), the album was a fine return to form for the band.
   

 

"Eufamla" track listing:
1.) I'm Not the Only One   (Buddy Buie - Ronnie Hammond) - 5:19    

Exemplified by the pounding, mid-tempo rocker 'I'm Not the Only One', Barry Bailey's one of rock's most overlooked guitarists.  His playing is always economical, not particularly showy, but always effective and I've always loved the tone he gets out of his guitars and on the opener he showcases his classy style on two solos.  A remake of a tune off their earlier "Truth In an Altered Structure", I always liked the original version of the tune, but this one's mighty fine and the harmony vocals are killer.  Give it the edge in a head-to-head competition.  "The album opens with a new version of this song from the 1989 album Truth… A slightly faster pace and more powerful presentation make this a much better version, featuring Hammond's vocals and Bailey's guitar work."  rating: **** stars

2.) Who You Gonna Run To   (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb - Robert Nix) - 3:36

Originally recorded for "Third Annual Pipe Dreams", the remake of 'Who You Gonna Run To' was given a slightly harder blues-rock edge.  Interestingly, this time around I'd give the nod to the earlier version.  "Another song gets a new rendering, but this time it's an early classic from 1974's Third Annual… With state of the art production work and a driving, up tempo approach, the song is brought to life again-what once was old is new again."    rating: *** stars

3.) Dreamy Alabama   (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb - Ronnie Hammond) - 4:35

After two ARS remakes, 'Dreamy Alabama' introduced the first new composition.  Musically it started out as a smooth and glistening lesson in Alabama geography.  Classic ARS with one of Bailey's prettiest solos.   "The first new song on the album is a classic. A slower tune in a style ARS had used to classic effect on multiple songs previously, the lyrics reflect on a pastoral Southern setting and related memories, brought alive by a great Hammond vocal, lovely musical support and pristine production."  rating: **** stars

4.) Nothing's As Bad As It Seems   (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb - Ronnie Hammond) - 3:22

The first minor disappointment, the faux Carribbean beat and greet card lyrics sounded like a castoff Jimmy Buffett tune.   I can live without this one ..."This mid-paced song extends some themes from the song before it in a musical presentation nicely compliments the lyrics. "Ups and downs, highs and lows…what it all means a higher power knows…"   rating: ** stars

5.) When   (Buddy Buie - Dean Daughtry) - 4:39

Another beautiful and radio-ready ballad, 'When' showcased one of Bailey's prettiest solos.  

Another beautiful, slower paced song that features great guitar solos by Bailey and yearning vocals by Hammond asking an eternal question-"I know love is the answer, the question is..." More great ARS.  rating: *** stars

6.) You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet  (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb - McKibben) - 4:21

A jazzy blues-tinged number, 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' seemed a bit too lounge act-ish for the band's own good, but the track was saved from complete dismisal by the sterling title track chorus.   "Featuring an arresting keyboard intro, this song of hope rolls at an easy pace behind Hammond's lyrical musings and Bailey's guitar explorations. A unique tune and another classic."   rating: *** stars

7.) Fine Day (The Day You Come Back To Me)   (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb - Ronnie Hammond) - 3:49

Yeah, it definitely sounded old school, even to my ancient ears, but that was meant as a compliment.  A beautiful mid-tempo ballad powered by strumming acoustic guitars, a killer melody, and some simply glistening harmony vocals from the band, its hard to imagine this one didn't garner some airplay.   The band's website described it as: "The great new songs keep coming on this song of celebration over love returned that showcases again the band's great ensemble performance of a fine song."  rating: **** stars

8.) What Happened To Us   (Buddy Buie - Ronnie Hammond) - 3:49

Another ARS remake, the opening chords have always reminded me of another song (wish I could put my finger on it ...).  A pretty and radio-friendly AOR ballad that should have returned the band to the airwaves, though it was a bit too corporate for my ears.  "Another song from "Truth"… that is given new life here. The pace seems to pick up a little with this version, and the lyrical questions of love and loss are more engaging here with a lighter touch."

9.) Unique   (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb - Ronnie Hammond) - 3:29

If there was a song on the album that captured the classic ARS sound, then it was the up-tempo, reflective 'Unique'.  Hammond seldom sounded as comfortable and the song had one of those melodies that climbed into your head and simply wouldn't leave.  Killer solo from Bailey.   "The tempo picks up again with this reaffirming song reflecting on one's place in the modern world with solid musical backing. "I'm barely afloat with a hole in my boat up a creek but I ain't that…""    rating: **** stars

10.) How Can You Do This?   (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb - Ronnie Hammond) - 4:11

The first time I heard this song it made me hit repeat on the CD player while I sat there and reflected on a part of my life that I hadn't contemplated in a decade.  I've always considered myself to have been blessed and moved on from this painful part of my life.   I try not to dwell on the past and things that I can't control, but I can't think of many songs that have had a similar impact on me.  I think the song was autobiographical - I seem  to remember that prior to his untimely death Hammond had run into a series of personal and medical problems that impacted his personal life.  Regardless, it was one of the prettiest things they ever wrote and it's also one of  the ultimate divorce songs ...     "Another slow, beautiful ARS song that in words and music captures the heartbreak of a relationship coming to an end."  rating: ***** stars

11.) What's Up Wid That? (instrumental)   (Steve Stone - Buddy Buie - Ronnie Hammond - Dean Daughtry) - 3:07

ARS gets funky ...  yeah it was a throwaway instrumental, but mindless fun.   "The album closes with an instrumental-the first recorded by ARS since their Dog Days album of 1975. It leaves one wishing they had done this more often, as the virtuoso playing and energy of the performance show to great effect a band that has been playing for over 25 years and hasn't lost a thing."   rating: *** stars