The orchestral undertones of the band’s early material, rendered faithfully here, were especially satisfying. Led by rhythm guitarist Dean Roland, the surrounding band (fellow original member Will Turpin, Johnny Rabb, and Jesse Triplett) brought soul, power, and precision to perfectly complement brother Ed’s lyrics and vocals. In a telling and poignant nod to some of his influences, Roland, explaining to the audience the band’s Georgia roots, acknowledged fellow Georgians Ray Charles and James Brown-“all our brothers.” Brothers in voice and soul… Ed Roland w/Collective Soul. His voice indeed continues to be a powerful, nuanced instrument, and his movement and gestures on stage were cogent and expressive. Over the course of a set spanning both its numerous hits (“Shine”, “December”, “Gel”), new material (“Cut the Cord”), and even a cover (fellow Georgian legends R.E.M.’s “The One I Love”), ‘Soul demonstrated its ability to generate the atmosphere, feeling, and power that originally endeared fans to its recorded releases.Įd Roland evoked the ethos of a preacher at the pulpit of rock ‘n roll, animating his songs of spirited contemplation with the same vigor as when they first burst onto the airwaves.

And it was this enduring mutual fondness–along with the freshly released LP “Vibrating”-that brought the band, along with fellow 90s rock veterans Switchfoot, to Clearwater, FL’s Ruth Eckerd Hall. Nearly three decades later, the band hailing from Stockbridge, GA (led by brothers Ed and Dean Roland) continues to find wildly supportive audiences with an appetite to experience its majesty live. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has heard Ed Roland’s memorable melodies and velvety, spirit-infused vocals propelled by the masterful modern rock stylings of his bandmates. Photo by Chyrisse.Ĭollective Soul has amassed a considerable legacy, with a long string of major hits and well-received albums deeply ingrained in the hearts and ears of several generations of listeners.

Shine collective soul