Date: 22 Nov 1998
To: RichMailList
Subject: [RichMailList 230g]: Mequon, WI 11/13 review

From: Kat
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 17:25:28 EST
Subject: review - November 13 - Mequon, WI

Here's my review.  Sorry it's long -- I took notes for once!

*** General Comments (applies to the church and all bands) ***

This leg of the Homeless Man tour was held at Alliance Bible Church in Mequon,
which is a northern suburb of the metro Milwaukee area.  (Hard to find if
you're not from the area.)

The church only had 600-650 seats, so of course the concert was sold out.
There were several people waiting outside the door hoping for "no shows" or
returns, and I believe everyone got in.

The lobby of the church was set up with tables for Compassion USA, WJYI
(bumper stickers).  CDs were available for Mitch McVicker, This Train, and the
Ragamuffins; and there were also T-shirts for This Train and the Ragamuffins.

*** This Train ***

The concert started with This Train, who was announced as "the only band who
travels in a milk truck".

This Train began their set with "I Saw The Light", which had people up on
their feet and clapping.

Cobra Joe was sick and fighting the flu, even though he was a trooper and
played the gig.  (Mark made a comment about hearing of churches that bark.  He
was hoping that they weren't going to introduce a new spin to that.  I'm
thinking he was referring to a letter change to "bark".  Poor Cobra Joe!)
Mark Robertson looks like he's lost some weight -- hope he's not sick, too!
(Perhaps a little road weary.)  Jordan was about the same as always, and he
received a good share of hometown applause (as did Cobra Joe).  (Jordan's from
Milwaukee; Cobra Joe is from Waukesha.)

Mark mentioned doing a concert 3-4 weeks ago in New York City, and he had a
few comments about NYC.  (1)  Don't go.  (2)  Don't dress like this.  (He was
dressed in a cowboy hat and farm/ranch attire.)  Depending on where he was in
The City, people would say "Hey, Tex!" or "Hey, Jim-Bob" to him, or he would
get comments from "boys who like boys", i.e., "Are you a member of the Village
People" ...

He launched into his commentary about mimes and their lack of sense of humor,
which was the lead-in to "Mimes of the Old West".

(By the way, it looks like Mark might have a new bass.)

Mark then made a comment about how he wouldn't normally do anything insightful
(as in his song-writing), but that he felt he had done just that when he got
together with Rich and they wrote "A Million Years".  He then sang it, and in
your mind's ear, you could hear Rich singing the duet with him.

For their final song, Mark discussed how he doesn't prefer to be sensitive,
and how love songs "make his skin crawl".  He also talked about people who
make records for a living (or in their case, they make records).  He also
talked about an old girlfriend, saying the only thing they had in common was
that "they were both in love with her".  He then launched into the closest
thing This Train has to a love song, "Monster Truck".

Overall, This Train was fun and entertaining.

After a short break for band change, Mark Robertson introduced the next act --
Mitch McVicker and the Kid Brothers of St. Frank.

*** Mitch and the Kids ***

Mark gave Mitch a lovely introduction, saying that although they all miss
Rich, they know how he was lucky to be where he is now; and how glad they are
to have Mitch still with us.  The audience then gave Mitch a standing ovation,
sharing our love and support.

Mitch and the Kids started out with "Here and Now", and then went right away
into "Freedom".

Mitch talked with us about how he normally talks about hot he loves to eat
frozen custard (a local treat); how it tastes good and is really bad for you,
but that it was too cold to eat it now.  He then talked a little bit about the
accident and his injuries, which he is still recovering from.  He still has
double vision, so the crowd looks huge, and he is waiting for his voice to
return to normal.  He also talked about the time he spent with Rich and how
fortunate he was to have that time with him.

They then did "Take Hold of Me" and "The Lemonade Song" (which Mitch calls
"stupid and profound").

Overall, this was a totally wonderful set.  The Kid Brothers, Eric Hauck (sp?)
and Michael Aukofer, are excellent musicians, and they all work well together.
At times, I felt that Mitch and the band were occasionally off rhythm.  That
probably was due to the sound problems.

After another short break for band change, it was time for The Ragamuffins.
For the most part, Rick Elias or Mark Robertson sang lead, though occasionally
others took a song.

*** The Ragamuffins ***

The set opened up with the dulcimer recording of "Nothing but the Blood".  The
band then started with "My Deliverer" (Rick Elias), and the audience was
invited to join in.  This was followed by "God is With Us" (Mark Robertson).

Rick Elias (?) then talked to us about the purpose of the Ragamuffins, and how
that Rich didn't want to be "the main thing"; how he wanted everyone to get a
change to sing a few songs.  (He wanted to play keyboards and be more of a
backup musician.)  He said that he guessed that Rich got his way on this part.

The Ragamuffins then went into "You Did Not Have A Home" (Mark Robertson, Rick
Elias, Jimmy Abegg).  Jimmy Abegg started adding "Hey" to some of his lines,
which was picked up by Rick Elias.  They then did "Hard to Get" (Rick Elias),
and "Nothing is Beyond You" (Rick Elias).  Rick said "Amy Grant sings it
prettier ..."

Jimmy Abegg then announced the next song.  He said that Rich only did a few
songs by other people (i.e., "Ready for the Storm", which I would've loved to
hear The Ragamuffins sing!).  The other song he mentioned was Rick Elias' "A
Man of No Reputation", which he said Rich wanted to have done on the Jesus
Record.  Rick then sang this most-wonderful song.

Rick then spoke about what was the meaning of a ragamuffin.  The dictionary
calls it "street urchin", but there is a spiritual meaning (a la Brennan
Manning's "Ragamuffin Gospel" and "Reflections of a Ragamuffin").  The
spiritual context of ragamuffins are people who feel broken.  Rick then spoke
about how Rich adored approval, but didn't want himself to be the focus, but
God.  He also talked about our need to support organizations like Compassion,
and then the band left the state for a short intermission.

The Ragamuffins returned to the stage for their second set, starting out with
the ever-popular "Screen Door", which had people on their feet cheering.  They
then said they they were kind of a loose band, and that they wanted us to join
along with them for the rest of the concert.  They then sang "Here in America"
(Rick Elias) and "Hold Me Jesus" (Jimmy Abegg).

Aaron Smith then came out from behind the drums and spoke from scripture about
our need to clothe ourselves in the Armour of God, Shield of Faith, Helmet of
Salvation, Sword of the Spirit, and take a stand for the Lord.  (Ephesians 6)
He then sang "If I Stand".

Mitch McVicker then sang "Calling Out Your Name", which was followed by "I See
You" (Mark Robertson, Rick Elias), "Awesome God" (Mark Robertson), and "Creed"
(Rick Elias).

They then left the stage to wild applause.  They returned, and Rick said
"we'll do the encore, but don't you *think* about sitting down ...".  They
then sang "That Where I Am ..." (Mark Robertson).  They had the men and women
in the audience singing different parts of the chorus.  They then ended with
"Sometimes By Step", "Doxology", and the dulcimer recording of "Nothing but
the Blood".

The pastor then closed in prayer.

One thing that was announced was that Mitch McVicker and the Kid Brothers
would be doing another concert in the area on Tuesday.  It is a college-age
concert that will be at the "big red church" on 10th and Wisconsin in downtown
Milwaukee (near Marquette University).  They gave a local number for
information:  414/278-7112.

*** Overall Comments ***

I think that the volume was set way too loud for the entire concert,
*especially* the bass.  There's a difference between "loud enough for everyone
to hear and enjoy" and "too loud to enjoy".   (Sort of like hot sauce.
There's "hot but tasty" and there is "too hot too taste".)  We were near the
back of the church and to the left, and I feel sorry for people who were right
near the speakers.  At times, you couldn't hear various instruments or subtle
chord combinations.  The sound seemed to be at its worst when the Ragamuffins
played.

I've heard, "if you can't play good, play loud".  I do not agree with that
statement *at all*.  I know for a fact that these people are excellent
musicians, but I felt that the loudness took something away from their
concert.  I hope they get this straightened out for the rest of the tour.

It was good to spend time celebrating the Lord and the legacy of Rich's music
praising Him.  My thanks to all the musicians for bringing his music to us,
and prayers for their health and safety for the rest of this tour (and
beyond).

God Bless.

Kat

Return to top