Date: 18 June 1997
To: RichMailList
From: scatcat@kidbrothers.net (Danl Blackwood)
Subject: [RichMailList 138]: Longview, TX 06/13 review

Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 09:50:17
From: Matthew Black
Subject: Longview Review

Dan,

	Somehow I feel compelled to write a review of the Longview, TX 
show that was held on Friday the 13th.  Superstition aside, the night 
lived up to its stereotype. I hadn't decided how to write this, but I 
think the easiest way - to follow as it follows. 

Act 1,  Scene 1

I left Houston for the 4 hour trip to Longview, arriving to see Mitch 
about half-way through his first song.  The crowd continued to filter in 
until Rich took the stage at about 8:00.  He opened with a musical hymn 
in which everyone on the stage rotated and played several different 
instruments.  Rich then broke out into "Boy like you, Man like me".  
Rich turned around to do the whistle solo only to find a stool behind 
him, no whistle. turning around with that Rich grin, the crowd whistled 
the solo and the rest of the night was an adventure.  During this set 
Rich played several tunes from "Brother's Keeper" and a song. I guess 
called Madeline which he wrote for a little girl that is now 15 months 
old that suffers from severe birth defects.  20 minutes in to the set 
the announcements come. a tornado warning has been sounded; we prayed; 
Rich said, "Well, I guess we'll play till we hear a train coming".  After 
another song we were all moved to another building that served as a 
tornado shelter.

Act 2, Scene 1

At the shelter people milled around debating whether or not to leave. I 
figure I've got a four hour ride home; I'm staying.  Rich arrived at the 
shelter barefoot with a guitar on his back.  A group of use sat outside 
of the shelter and Rich began to play. no sound system, just Rich.  We 
all sang several tunes "Eli's Song, "Where you are";  people jokingly 
threw loose change into one of the guitar cases. then the rains came. 

Act 2 , Scene 2

Now inside we took refuge in the snack bar as everyone crowded in to get 
out of the weather.  Rich stood in a little corner with the rest of the 
band and played us one of his new songs.  The name is unknown, but it is 
about how the hopes of man rested on a homeless man. incredible song.  He 
mentioned something about an album this Fall. but then went on to something 
else.  Anyway..the all-clear is sounded we return to the auditorium.

Act 3, Scene 1

The show goes on. Rich played through several of the classics. "Awesome 
God", "While the Nations Rage", and "Screen Door" where the band played 
those little plastic cups that everyone drinks out of at your family 
reunion.  During this set Rich talked a good deal; during that he 
explained how the kid brothers of St. Frank came to be and mentioned 
something about how he wasn't brave enough to become Catholic. so he 
figured the Monastery was out of the question.  The storm outside began 
too rage. accompanied by rumbles of thunder they played "Ready for the 
Storm".  Rich closed with  the crowd favorites "Creed", and "Step by 
Step".  At 11:15 he told us all that it was time to go home. it had been 
enough of a night already.

During all this "This Train" hammered out three tunes including the 
crowd favorite "Monster Truck".  I guess I realized why Rich's music has 
always been so special.  With a huge sound system, produced records, the 
best that Nashville has to offer. his music is the same whether it is 
surrounded by all that; or if it is just Rich.  That is a credibility 
that I think few have achieved. the Lord truly smiled in our direction 
this night.

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