11 songs on Eufala include 3 new versions of songs from previous ARS albums. ARS only took two years to get a new album out-and they came up with another winner featuring a number of songs that stand with the best of their catalog. The same band line-up that played on Partly Plugged returned, plugging back in and rocking with that sweet Southern sound that is ARS' alone. The state of the art of production work displays the ARS sound to great effect. Lead singer Ronnie Hammond is in classic form and the guitar work of Barry Bailey sounds as good as ever. But as always, it's the quality of the songs and the ensemble performance that make this a standout.
The album opens with "I'm Not The Only One" which is a perfect ARS ode to survival. The guitar solo and emotion make my earlier point-this band wears it's emotions on it's guitars. Two excellent solos from Barry Bailey give this lead off track the kind of gusto that should have propelled it onto radio. But alas, old bands don't belong on AOR stations anymore (atleast with their new stuff). This band has always been a mix of southern rock-meets bar room rock-meets adult contemporary. "Who You Gonna Run To" could be on a Skynyrd album. Great bluesy riffs and stand down lyrics. "Dreamy Alabama" takes up the AC mantle with it's scintillating portrait of Alabama's landscapes, not unlike the back of the album. This is a special nostalgic look at things, people and the passage of time. Never has ARS sounded so sincere. Buie, Cobb and Hammond write an amazing piece of music here. Just amazing. Contrasting "Alabama" is the upbeat, almost reggae tinge of "Nothing's As Bad As It Seems" which could be "Nothing's Gonna Bother Me Tonight" all grown up. A perfect track for AC radio, yet again. Delilah, why not dig this one up for a grumpy caller? "When" opens with an ARS style keyboard draped behind Ronnie Hammond's many questions about life and his glass half full philosophy. Hammond seems to be struggling with issues of friendship, romance and companionship during "Eufaula", which makes for great music and solid lyrics. This is almost a concept album in the way it looks at the good things in life, how it hopes for tommorow and how love is the answer. Again, AC radio, where were you on "When"? "You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet" is a blues-jazz, almost Steely Dan like shuffle, and a good one at that. This incarnation of ARS shows excellent diversity here, and Donald Fagen would be proud."Fine Day" is a cross between the southern rock and AC style. Great acoustic guitars weaved around electrics.The song bobs and weaves between country and rock. "What Happened To Us" is an acoustic rocker with a lament to lost love. What's amazing about "Eufaula" is that even the weaker songs have depth and feeling. In fact, there's hit potential in every song. "Unique" is a southern rocker with a cool guitar, and great Eagles-like background vocals. The subject matter again looks up, instead of despairing. "Life can make you lose it, having you talk to yourself...I Ain't that Unique". "How Can You Do This" finds Hammond being way more direct to his "other" in the lyric. His plea is as bare boned as you can get. Aparently a divorce was looming in one of these songwriters marriages. The album ends with a great southern rock instrumental, "Whats Up Wid Dat?" which showcases all the musical prowess of this still great band.
What "Eufaula" proves is what is so prevalent in music today, old rock bands do better melody, better songwriting and better production. Often, the musicians are better and more precise. The Atlanta Rhythm Section may now be a memory (thanks to Hammond calling it quits) but this swan song album stands as a testamony to their one-of-a-kind blend of rock, pop, soul, blues and country. It's as if an era is ending on Eufaula, a place of beauty and majesty, combined with a whole spectrum of emotions, and nostalgia from a musical period that has passed away and left us with empty pop and rock that won't stand the test of time. Eufaula is not only a beautiful part of Alabama, it's a fitting end to one of the great bands to ever play music in that neck of the woods, or any woods for that matter.
Track listing
01. "I'm Not the Only One" (Buie, Hammond) - 5:13
02. "Who You Gonna Run To" (Buie, Cobb, Nix) - 3:26
03. "Dreamy Alabama" (Buie, Cobb, Hammond) - 4:35
04. "Nothing's as Bad as It Seems" (Buie, Cobb, Hammond) - 3:22
05. "When" (Buie, Daughtry) - 4:39
06. "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" (Buie, Cobb, McKibben) - 4:21
07. "Fine Day (The Day You Came Back to Me)" (Buie, Cobb, Hammond) - 4:46
08. "What Happened to Us" (Buie, Hammond) - 3:49
09. "Unique" (Buie, Cobb, Hammond) - 3:29
10. "How Can You Do This?" (Buie, Cobb, Hammond) - 4:11
11. "What's up Wid Dat?" (Buie, Daughty, Hammond, Stone) - 3:07
Credits
Barry Bailey - guitar
Dean Daughtry - keyboards
Ronnie Hammond - vocals, background vocals
Robert White Johnson - background vocals
Steve Nathan - strings, Hammond organ
Justin Senker - bass
Steve Stone - guitar
R.J. Vealey - percussion, drums
Production
Producers: Buddy Buie, Rodney Mills
Engineer: Rodney Mills
Assistant engineers: John Nielsen, Jason Stokes
Mastering: Rodney Mills
Design: Scott Larsen
Photography: Buddy Buie, Rick Diamond, Terry Spackman, Tony Darrigan
Notes
Mixed At – Tree Sound Studios
Engineered At – Rodney Mills Masterhouse
Mastered At – Rodney Mills Masterhouse
Genre: Southern Rock
Length: 44:58
Label: Intersound Records
© 1999
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