Date: 22 Nov 1998
To: RichMailList
Subject: [RichMailList 230a]: Greenwood, IN 10/23 review

Date: Mon, 26 Oct 1998 16:06:26 (CST)
From: Jessica Byerley
Subject: review Ragamuffins at Mt Pleasant
      
  What can I tell you about the Homeless Man show at Mt Pleasant except that
you should have been there.  This was one of the most unique concerts I've
attended, and a blast to be at.
        The evening started with This Train "starting it off slow with an
old spiritual."  Those were the exact words of their lead singer.  If the
version of "I saw the light" they played was slow, then someone needs to
teach them what fast is.  That song was rocking, and they played it loud.
It really got the crowd on its feet and rocking.  They followed with 'Mimes
of the Old West," then slowed it down a bit with a song they wrote with
Rich, "A Million Years."  They closed with "Monster Truck" which is
supposedly the most tender ballad that the band has ever wrote.  Once again
I think someone needs to give them a dictionary.  They left the stage to loud
applause.
        Mitch and the Kid Brothers were next.  They opened with "Here and
Now," followed by "Freedom."  Mitch then talked a little about the past
year, thanking God that he was still able to play, and everyone for their
payers and letters.  Mitch said that his "tribute to Rich is just to get up
here (stage) and play.  It means a lot to me that I can do anything at all."
        They then played "Take Hold of Me," and the "Lemonade Song."  After
finishing Mitch got a standing ovation from the crowd which seemed to
surprise him.  He deserved it.
        Finally the Ragamuffins took the stage.  And did they ever play.
I've listened to the Jesus Record and many other of Rich's recordings, but I
had never heard his songs played like I heard them that evening.  Rick,
Jimmy, Aaron, and Mark really poured their hearts and souls into the music
and you could sense it.  They opened with the hammer dulcimer recording from
A Liturgy, A Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band, followed by "My Deliverer and
"Surely God is With Us."  Mark talked some about the Jesus Record, then they
played "Did Not Have a Home," and "Hard to Get."  Jimmy A swears that that
was the first time he made it through "Hard to Get" with out messing up.  I
just know it sounded great.  They finished the fist half of their set with
"Man of No Reputation."
        The second part was the Ragamuffins' favorite old Rich Mullins
songs.  But first they brought out the cups for "Screen Door on a Submarine"
and did the cup game.  It was funny and entertaining.  And they only goofed
up twice.  Then they played "Here in America," "Hold Me Jesus," "If I
Stand," "Calling Out Your Name," "Everywhere I Go," "Awesome God," "Creed,"
"That Where I Am There You...," and "Step By Step."  They closed with the
Doxology in typical Rich Mullins fashion.
        Something special and unique about hearing all those favorite songs
was that everyone knew all the words and san with the band.  At times if you
listened hard you could hear the audience above the band.  It sounded like
all of creation was singing praise to the Creator.  It was a special
evening, and a fitting tribute to the man who tired so hard to lead us to
Jesus.   Rich will be missed by family and friends, but his legacy lives on
in his music and the lives he touched.  

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