By R.M. Engelman
Since getting together in 1992 and releasing their first album three years later, the band has maintained a steady loyal following. Not only do the fans continue to fill the seats, the audience can pretty much sing along with every song. Quite an accomplishment to their longevity. A major plus is that the band still features founders Ed Roland and his brother Dean, and bassist Will Turpin who joined early on. Other members drummer Johnny Rabb and lead guitarist Jesse Triplett have become established members. They now have 12 albums (one double) in their catalogue. Their touring schedule always remains filled.
The band kicked off with Why P.2, and then led into Mother’s Love off the new Here to Eternity double album (recorded at one of Elvis’s previous houses). Right as Rain followed off the recent Blood album. With the exceptions of Not the Same and Keep it on Track (off the new album), the majority of the balance of material was of their classic “Greatest Hits” variety. The group naturally finished off their set with the classic hit Run, where all of the band members file off the stage with just Ed singing and playing the 12-string.
After all of these productive years, frontman Ed Roland might be more animated than ever. He entertained with various commentary and stories, and of course solicited audience participation. The evening consisted of Ed playing to the crowd wearing a hat, without a hat, without his coat, putting on an audience supplied T-shirt, and letting loose his ponytail. They joked after the show that the guitar tech also doubled as a “Hat Tech”, when he retrieved and delivered Ed’s hat back to him.
The rest of the bands interaction throughout the performance shows they are having just as much fun entertaining. During the start of the show, the members gathered on the drum riser cheering on the percussion.
Collective Soul is a must see for any old or new fans. If you want to see a band just stand in place in front of a mic for an entire set, these aren’t those guys!