The Time Atlanta, GA December 1, 2006 concert review

I went and saw the Time at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, GA on December 1, 2006. This was my 32nd show and the eighth one this year.

Again this was a solo trip. Jason and Ashley couldn't make it so we all know what that means. I had to do the dreaded driving. I was not looking forward to that, especially since it was going to be to Atlanta on a Friday. Well I got an early start so hopefully I could avoid the traffic. I left my home in Pensacola, FL around 9:20 a.m. or so and got to Atlanta in just over 5 hours. The hotel was right next to the one I stayed at on the last trip up there. It was close to the airport so I avoided most of the traffic. I got checked into my room and touched base with Jerome. Got ready for the show and then I went and wandered around the hotel to kill time. I ran into Jerome in the lobby. We talked for a few minutes and he let me know when they were leaving. Still had almost almost 90 minutes to kill so I went back to the room and watched reruns of Charmed.

I went down to the lobby around 6:15 p.m. and hung out. Morris and Jaybe came out of the elevator and saw me so I talked to them for a few minutes. Next was Tori and Freeze and then Jerome. There was no room for me in the van so unfortunatily I had to drive to the Arena. It wasn't to bad and I actually didn't get lost. I went into the Phillips Arena and tried to find my seat. Well I couldn't find it and the usher directed me to the VIP section. Well they were checking my ticket every five feet, but I finally made it to the VIP party suite that the band had for the show. I was the first one to arrive so I kicked back in my lounge chair and called Jason to brag. The band showed up right at game time and I greated Jellybean and Monte who I did not see at the hotel.

We all just chilled out and watched the game.Morris had seats right on the court behind the Hawks goal. It looked like The Cavs were going to run away with it, but the Hawks tied it up at the end of the 3rd quarter. We then went to the backstage area and the fellas got ready for the show. The Cavs ended up winning, but it was still a decent game. I finally got something to eat and not a minute too soon since I was starving. I got caught up with all the guys in the band and basically had a great time hanging out with my favorite group. We had the pre-concert prayer and huddle and it was on to the show.

Here is the Line up
Morris day-vocals and Cool
Jerome Benton-vocals, percussion and master of mayhem
Jellybean Johnson-Drums
Monte Moir-keyboards
Roman Johnson- Keyboards
Ricky "Freeze" Smith- Bass
Tori "Freakjuice" Ruffin-Guitar

Here is the setlist with my ever insightful comments to follow

1 The Skillet!!!!
2. cool
3. Get it up
4. Pandemonium
5. Chocolate
6. Wild and loose
7. The Stick
8. Blondie!!!
9. My Drawers!!!
10. Fishnet
11. The oak tree
12. jerk out
13 777-9311
14. Girl-small instrumental bit
15. Sometimes I get lonely-ditto
16. The Walk
17. the Bird
encore
18. Jungle Love

The band came out of the tunnel and took their spots on the center of the stage with Morris and Jerome following shortly thereafter. I followed them out and got a spot about 10 feet away from Freeze on the side, standing on the actual court. The basketball game was far from a sellout, but the place was still half full. My love of the Skillet is well documented so I will just leave it at that. Its very Cool to check out the show from the side or the back, but my favorite spot is right in front and I have yet to have heard the skillet from that angle so I guess that's where I'm going to be at the next show. The sound was fluctuating alot, especially early in the show. You could really hear Jerome's percussion on Cool which is a rarity. Tori was also getting some feedback on several of his solos, but it did little to distract from my enjoyment of the show. Jerome was being his typical wild man self, jumping around on stuff he probably shouldn't have been. Tori really went wild on Blondie which is always a highlight. Jellybean, Monte and Freeze were their ever dependable and solid selves. Roman seemed to fit in as I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary as far as the keyboards were concerned. Morris was Morris, simply the master of C O O L. A great show with a great setlist(got the rock songs and none of that dreaded Kid/ICC that I hate)

As we left the stage and went into the tunnel we saw Emmanuel Lewis who was hosting the contests and such during the game. He greeted Morris and Jerome. We then went back to the backstage area and hung out for another hour or so. Good times. We all said our goodbyes as not everybody was going back to the hotel. I followed the band down to their van and then I headed back to my car. This is where a solo adventure begins for me.

I had to back track through the Arena since my car was parked at the Georgia Dome. Well I navigated the bowels of the Phillips Arena and when I got to where I needed to get out, all the doors were locked and/or chained shut. I finally had to find somebody on the clean up crew who wanted to know what the hell I was still doing there to walk me out through an alternate exit. Well I finally get back to my car( Did I mention that it was about 29 degrees with the wind blowing, I really hate going up North were its cold) So I get in the car and bail. Well of course I get lost and can't find my way back to the interstate. That's a great feeling when your by yourself in the middle of a strange city at 12:30 a.m. Well I don't know if it was the frustration of getting lost, waiting to long to eat, or maybe the backstage food doing something to me, but I started to feel really sick at this point and actually had to roll the window down and get some air. I finally made it back to the interstate and got to the hotel shortly before 1 a.m.

I saw Freeze, Jellybean, Jerome and Tori at the bar. They said they just had last call and I had better get something(and something strong) before they closed up. Well I was still feeling like crap so I went back to the room to try and pull it together. I went back down to hang with the fellas, but I just couldn't do it this night and had to excuse my self after about 5 minutes or so unfortunately.

Well that pretty much concludes my latest adventures(or misadventures) with The Time. As usual, I had a great Time and except for the unfortunate ending it was a great delayed birthday present. Going to a pro basketball game( the Hawks were my team when I was in high school and college, but my interest has waned in the last several years) and then seeing and hanging out with my favorite band, what more could you ask for. Not much. Thanks to all the fellas for hooking me up and putting on another great show. Less than a month till show #33. New years eve is going to be off the chain!!!

Thank you! I wished I would have known sooner! They sold out of $10 & $25 seats! Maybe next time!!
Glad you had a good time!!!

Peace & Love!1

Where will they perform on New Year's Eve? Rhastus, I need to roll with you.

Fresh said:

The Bea Rivage casino in Biloxi, MS

I think it is so cool that you can roll with the members of your favorite band. Way to go!