Date: 27 March 1997
To: RichMailList
Subject: [RichMailList 124]: Denton, TX 03/23 review

From: joelle.lemon@chrysalis.org
Date: Mon, 24 Mar 97 12:32:32
Subject: RM Concert Denton TX

My husband and I went to see Rich in concert last night in Denton,
Texas.  As usual, it was inspiring and just plain fun.  I've been
reading that he has had an opening band for the last few concerts, but
this show was 100% Rich and Mitch.  Also, there was absolutely no
mention of "Canticle of the Plains."  I was a bit surprised at this.

I wrote down a bunch of reminders about funny and profound things that
Rich said, but I think I'll leave most of them off so as not to spoil
things for everyone.  Most of y'all probably know about the Irish
sweater story - well, he once again forgot to "cap it off" later in the
concert.  I had to explain it to my husband afterward...

Rich opened the concert with audience participation in the 3-part
"Hallelujah," and the "Heavenly Hash" ("I'm Gonna Sing," "This Train,"
"Swing Low Sweet Chariot," and "When the Saints Go Marching In," only I
think he might have left off one of them, I'm not sure).  Every so often
between and around these two songs, he'd ask a Bible trivia question,
then throw out Hershey's kisses to the people who were able to answer.

Then he got into the swing of things.  I might get some of the song
titles wrong, the ones I'm guessing at are marked with a "?":

?(I can see Jesus... Hangin' on the cross...)
Where You Are
Ready for the Storm
Let Mercy Lead
Sing Your Praise to the Lord
Hold Me Jesus
Screen Door (no cup passing)
?We are Not as Strong
        Rich said he wrote this one because there aren't any good
        Christian songs that tell about the pain involved in breaking up
        a relationship.  After he finished, some woman yelled out "I
        love you, Rich!"  He just sorta rolled his eyes and went on with
        the rest of the show.  My husband thinks he should have thrown
        her a Hershey's kiss.  I think that would have been asking for
        major trouble ;-)
Bach on mandolin instrumental
        "Pray for us..."  Rich said he likes the mandolin because he can
        play it and steer the truck with his knee :-)
While the Nations Rage
        Dedicated to the current president and her husband...
Land of My Sojurn

Mitch took over for a little while and sang three of his own songs:

?His Love is Right Here
?Love Lives There (the lemonade song...)
?His Love Will

Mitch is definitely someone to keep an eye on during the next few years,
my husband and I would like to see him do more.

Rich again:

Mandolin rendition of "Jesus Loves Me"
Hillbilly Mountain Dulcimer Instrumental for Dad
78 Eatonwood Green
Calling Out Your Name
Creed
Awesome God
It is Well (audience participation)
Great is Thy Faithfullness (ditto)
Sometimes by Step (ditto)

For an encore:

If I Stand
Sometimes by Step
Elijah
        I thought I read here that he doesn't usually do this one
        in concerts because the song means so much to him...
Lord We Lift Your Name On High (audience participation).

I thoroughly enjoy the accoustical concerts, it truly conveys a
down-home feeling that just isn't possible with the slick background
soundtracks.  All in all, it was an excellent concert, and I'm glad we
got more of Rich than we would have if there had been an opening band.