Date: 22 Nov 1998
To: RichMailList
Subject: [RichMailList 230b]: Cincinnati, OH 10/24 review

From: Mike
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 1998 18:04:52 EST
Subject: [ragamuffin] Mike's Concert Review 

Saturday, October 24, 1998
The Homeless Man Tour.
	I thought it would be a bittersweet night.  I thought I would cry.  But it
was more of a celebration, and it was very fun.  The paster of the church
opened the concert by saying, "Tonight we're here to celebrate the legacy of a
great man.  His name was Jesus.  And we're celebrating how he used His
instrument, Rich Mullins."  
	Lakota Christian Church's first concert ever.  7:30pm.  We (My mom and I)
arrived at about 6.  I met Sharon from the Rag list, and later, Vickie.
Cincinnati.  General admission.  
	This Train opened.  They are Mark Robertson's band.  Mark is like, the
funniest (and strangest) Christian frontmen.  They played a rockin' version of
some hymn, then a song that Rich Mullins co-wrote, called "A Million Years."
"Monster Truck," which was Mark Robertson's sensitive, profound song.  A love
song.  About a friend of his; the friend both had much in common.  "We both
loved her deeply," Mark said.  :)  Then they played a song about "the most
persecuted group of people on the planet: mimes!"  It was "Mimes Of The Old
West."  The title track to their CD.  They were... I can't describe it.  I've
heard how people were unprepared for This Train's style, but...whoa!  You have
to hear them for yourself.  
	Mitch McVicker sang next.  He was the guy that was in the jeep with Rich when
Rich died.  They had just finished making Mitch's CD that same day.  Mitch and
his band, "The Kid Brothers of St. Frank": Mike Aukofer and Eric Haupt.  I
loved them.  The music had all kinds of instruments, including dulcimer, an
old washboard, strings, a harmonica, a big tin can (which Mike played with his
feet), and congas.  The only song I can remember a title for was "The Lemonade
Song," but I bought his CD.  I knew I had to as soon as Mike Aukofer started
rubbing his palms on that conga!  
	The Ragamuffins came out next and did their show.  Rich Mullins' band: Rick
Elias, Mark Robertson, Jimmy Abegg, and Aaron Smith.
	The group opened with a very dramatic "My Deliverer."  Then "Surely God Is
With Us" and "You Did Not Have A Home."  Then Rick said that they would play
one of his favorite songs that he had ever heard.  A very profound song.
"Hard To Get."  It was very good.  And very much from Rick's heart.  As this
song was being played, girls in the audience put their arms around their guys,
and guys moved closer to their girls.  It had a very noticeable affect on the
hearts of the crowd, and I wished that I had brought my girlfriend, too,
because it was having a big effect on me, too.  
	Rick told the story of The Jesus Record, how Rich wanted them all to sing on
it.  He got his way.  :(  
Rick sang a very caring, and emotional, "Man Of No Reputation."  I saw a tear
or two on his face ever since about halfway through the song.  It was
really...wow.  I can't describe it.  It was very cool.  
	They had an intermission, then the Ragamuffins came back out.  They told us
(the audience) that this was our night, and that we were to sing along with
all the songs.  They started out with "Screen Door," complete with the cup
routine, lead by Mark, who was backed by Aaron, Jimmy, and Mike Aukofer.
Mitch and Rick were doing little dances off to the side.  It was great!  The
cup bit was very much like what I have seen in church camp.  
	Then, the only song that I didn't know the words to, "Here In America."  I
could recognize it, though, when they sang about Appalachia and other things.
Rick introduced the song as one of his favorite songs, and Jimmy agreed.
"Hold Me Jesus" was next.  Rick Elias told how Rich, before all of their
concerts, would have them thinking that they were doing one set of 40 songs,
then tell them an hour before the show that they would be doing another 40!!  
	"Calling Out Your Name" followed.  Mitch McVicker lead it.  He did a very
good job vocally, a little different as far as timing of the lyrics goes, from
Rich's original version, but that was to be expected.  At any rate, Mitch did
a wonderful job on "Calling..." Mike Aukofer even played all of the dulcimer
music for it!  One of the best songs of the night.  
	They went to "Creed," which Rick Elias introduced saying "This is what we
believe."  Then "If I Stand," "Awesome God,"  "I See You," and maybe a few
others.  Then they went offstage for a moment, then came back out.  Rick said
they thought it was a little stuck up for them to make us all wait for an
encore, but Mark said he really had to pee.  
	"Like we really needed to know that!" Jimmy said.  
	Then they did a song from The Jesus Record: "That Where I Am, There You..."
	After that, Rick told that they were going to do one more song.  I was
hoping...please, let it me my favorite song!  My song!  Please.  
	There was no dulcimer at the start of it.  I was sort of disappointed.  But I
could hardly contain myself when Rick sang that opening line...
	"Sometimes the night was beautiful...sometimes the sky was so far away..."
	I sang louder then, than I did for the rest of the songs.  What a wonderful
way  - what a beautiful way to end the concert.  They left us to finish
Doxology, and then the audience slowly melted out of the room as a recording
of "Nothing But The Blood" on hammer dulcimer played loudly and sweetly.   
	I got all the band members' autographs.  I got a shirt, Mitch's CD, and a few
Rag/Rich  CDs autographed.  I got pictures with me and Rick, plus one with
Aaron Smith and Mark Robertson, and then Mitch.  It was a very cool night.  I
would be safe to say that it's the best concert I've seen.  Either this one or
Reality Check.  And that's nothing small; I've seen  a lot of very good bands
play live.  
	Yes, tonight was just one of those nights...when the night was beautiful.

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