Old Time Rock & Roll
Jason Shock brought infectious energy and old-school cool to his solo turn during the Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay's concert, "Songs of a Man's Heart / I Love the '80s", leading the ensemble through Kirby Shaw's arrangement of George Jackson and Thomas E. Jones III's "Old Time Rock & Roll" at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 17, 2024. Forever linked to Bob Seger's iconic recording, the song received a spirited choral treatment that perfectly captured the second act's celebratory mood.
Shock approached his lead with confident swagger and a clear sense of fun, channeling the song's nostalgic appeal without slipping into mere imitation. His vocal delivery was crisp, energetic, and full of personality, anchoring the arrangement's driving rhythm and inviting the audience into a shared sense of celebration. Each phrase landed with rhythmic precision, while subtle stylistic touches kept the performance feeling fresh and personal.
Kirby Shaw's arrangement frames the soloist with rich choral harmonies that nod to the song's roots in classic rock and roll while taking full advantage of the male chorus's resonant lower voices. The Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay embraced the style enthusiastically, providing punchy backing vocals, rhythmic interjections, and warm harmonic support that gave the performance both groove and grandeur. The interplay between Shock's lead and the ensemble's responses kept the energy bouncing forward throughout.
The chorus demonstrated strong rhythmic unity, locking into the song's steady backbeat with confidence. Crisp entrances, well-defined dynamics, and clear text projection allowed both the song's sentiment and its sense of fun to come through clearly. Audience members responded with smiles, head-bobbing, and visible enthusiasm, clearly carried away by the performance's contagious spirit.
Allendale United Methodist Church's acoustics gave the rendition just the right amount of resonance — full and warm without obscuring the rhythmic edge. Within the broader program of "I Love the '80s", "Old Time Rock & Roll" stood out as a feel-good highlight, leaning fully into the era's love of guitar-driven anthems and unabashed nostalgia. Through Jason Shock's charismatic lead, Kirby Shaw's effective arrangement, and the chorus's spirited backing, the Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay reminded listeners that some songs simply demand to be sung loud and proud.