I was at the concert too. I agree with Danl, it was awesome. The thing that I enjoyed the most was the expression on Michael's face while he played. He just seemed to be truely enjoying himself. Mark of This Train was very enjoyable too with his wit and humor. It seems to me that there is a pretty intelligent person behind all that humor.
There's a alot that I could have missed, because I had a five year old asking question after question in my ear. He was intrigued by the bass that Mark played and the wash board and hammer dulcimer that Michael played. Mark's jokes mostly pertained to their songs. He joked about their western clothes. They stocked up in Bakersfield (a stop on their tour) because western clothes are so cheap there. He joked about how all of the mimes were upset with their song "Mimes of the Old West"(I think that is the correct title). He said that he thought that someone who would put on clown makeup and wear a skin tight outfit in public would have a sense of humor but he was wrong. He joked about that they were often described as being tender and sensitive and that the next song was one of the most tender songs that he had ever written. It was his marriage proposal to someone that got turned down. So, just as you were expecting this more mellow song, they started in on a song in their typical style, fast and loud. Sorry, I don't know the title of the song. Obviously, you can tell that I don't have their CD and that Saturday night was the first time they I've heard any of their songs. My favorite song that they played was a rock and roll rendition of Screen Door. Mark said that Rich often told him that he should play it like that. I really liked it. Mark talked about Rich some. It seemed that he felt much more comfortable talking about Rich than Mitch did. Which is understandable. It is probably still too very personal for Mitch. Mark joked about Mitch being in an accident as did Michael. Mitch actually seemed to relax during one exchange with Michael when Michael joked that because of his head injury he kept forgetting to pick his harmonica up off of the floor before starting into this song. He said that this was like the 5th concert in a row that he had forgotten. When Mitch relaxed, the funny comments just seemed to keep coming. He and Michael had a very enjoyable exchange of humor at that point in the concert. Mitch also joked that they are wearing the same clothes as the concert the night before in Oklahoma. This will have to hold you until Danl can get his review posted.
Paz, Teresa
Hi all!
Well, here are a few of my impressions of the Wichita show that was Saturday night.
I went with my friend Nicole. The in-store at the BBR was fun, although we got there late, and I was too chicken to talk to anyone but Mitch. Wish someone had told me to bring the video camera! Mitch did 2 or 3 songs that he knew he wouldn't do at the show. They were all new to me, so I can't tell you what the titles were.....they were good though. Seems like he might have done one song from the CD, but if he did, I don't remember it. Also, his mom, dad and, I presume, grandmother were there....all proudly wearing their Mitch McVicker t-shirts. Mitch looks *just* like his dad, only taller.
Mitch was really nice, but it was kind of strange talking to him. Danl, I know Mitch still has trouble with double vision, but does he have *tunnel vision* too? I stood right in front of him, although out of his direct line of sight, but it was like he never saw me....until I moved right in front of him. Then he looked up and started talking to me. Just thought that might have been another problem from the accident. There were also times when he just seemed to be looking at people, only not....kind of with empty eyes. Of course, I never met him last year when they all came through OKC (that "chicken" thing again), maybe he's always been like that. Just an observation. Really nice guy though....well, except for that crack about OU football (Mitch is a big Nebraska fan), but I forgive him. ;-)
The concert itself was great! I'd been waiting to see them again since this time last year, and it was definitely worth the 3 hour drive. For those of you who weren't there, the show was at a small coffeehouse. Mitch was much better than I had expected. I had heard that his voice still wasn't up to par since the accident, but I thought he sounded great. I think Teresa mentioned that Michael had teased Mitch about forgetting his harmonica on the "Lemonade Song" for the past 7 nights, to which Mitch replied "It's OK, I had a brain injury". :-) Also, This Train's version of "Screen Door" is now my new favorite. Anyone who's on their way to a TT/MMcV show should listen for that one! Mitch had to compete with the very *loud* blender that was mixing all the smoothies. Mark didn't have too much trouble until the end, when whoever was running the blender decided to join us on Doxology.
I didn't know that there were 2 shows until I got to the BBR. I went to the first one and wish it could have been longer. It seemed like everything was on a time constraint because they had to be ready to do another show at 10:00 pm. Mark didn't seem to talk as much as normal between songs, but he said they wanted to get done so they could have some time to spend with everyone before they did the next show. I was very impressed with that. It shows caring on their part about meeting and talking to the people who come to see them....which I've read, is one of their goals. I'm glad they did that. Everyone will be glad to know that I *did* get over my chicken-ness after the show and talked to the guys...including, for those who have already made the mention, Michael "cute drummer' Aukofer. ;-) I think I got some pretty good pictures too. We'll see when I get them back tonight. Too bad I don't have a way to scan them in for everyone, but I'm sure Danl will have great ones too.
Well, those were some of my favorite parts of the evening, and now I have to go before this turns into a bonafide review. ;-)
Mecca (who is already gearing up for Jesus Fest '98 - see [RichMailList 213])
This was only the 2nd Christian concert I've ever attended. The first was a Phil Driscoll concert at the Cotillion at least 7 or 8 years ago. He sang and played the horn, but the other music was canned. Enjoyable but not quite complete.
Not wanting to miss anything or get stuck at the end of the line to get in, I arrived about two hours before the concert, about the same time as several other early birds from Ark City. We were allowed to wait inside for quite awhile and got to visit with Mark while he was setting up the T-shirt and CD display. He was so friendly and didn't rush off; signed my CD, too. He mentioned that while he was glad they were going to do the second show, it kinda limited them on what they could do during the concert. Said they would have to keep the sets pretty tight so to allow time to mingle after the show. Mark said that was the fun part and you get the impression from Mark that if it's not fun, it's time to quit.
Then Mitch and Michael started their sound check and it was really cool to watch and listen to them.
Maybe an hour or 45 minutes before the concert we went outside to wait while they finished their setup. Finally got back in and had a great seat - sitting on the floor right in front of the stage. Mitch and Michael were great! Was particularly pleased to see and hear Michael play the hammered dulcimer. The thing that struck me most about Mitch is that he has such a wonderful smile (actually so does Michael) and they both seemed to truly enjoy performing. When they finished their set, we tried our best for just one more song, but time didn't allow for an encore because they needed to stay on track so they would be on time for the second show.
This Train . . . Having had only limited exposure to them, I didn't expect to enjoy their set as much as I did, but like I heard several others at the concert say "How can you not enjoy a TT concert?". Their energy and enthusiasm is contagious and they are truly terrific entertainers. I particularly enjoyed when Mitch and Michael came out and sang with them and when we were invited to sing along. Ended with everyone singing the Doxology - such a simple song but it cuts straight to the heart.
Two of my favorite songs that Mitch sings are "She Asked Me How" and "New Mexico" and to my disappointment he didn't sing either one during the first concert. I first heard New Mexico when Rich sang it on the Wheaton College interview in April of 1997. So, I was talking to Michael after the concert (he mentioned that he was going to be in Wichita the next two weeks doing a clinic at Friends) and asked whether the set for the second show would be the same as for the first one or whether there was chance he might sing New Mexico and he said "Let's go ask Mitch". So, we did and when we did, Mitch said "We'll add it." Of course that meant I had to stay for the second show (which I was already considering anyway if it wasn't sold out). When everybody with tickets for the 2nd show was inside, I was allowed to purchase my ticket and go in. I was a little surprised that no one else from the 1st show stayed.
This time I actually got to sit in a chair, and once again there was room up front. Most of the people were in the balcony or booths. The crowd was not as large and was more subdued than at the 1st show. When Mitch and Michael finished their set, there was applause, but not the encore applause like at the 1st show.
Mitch and Michael were just as fantastic the second time around - and they remembered my request (Bless them!) and did New Mexico - faster tempo than on the CD, different but great. Mitch did remember to put on his harmonica for The Lemonade Song this time, with Michael playing two sophisticated instruments - a washboard and a popcorn tin lying on its side. The first time Michael tapped on the lid of the tin with his foot, the lid fell off. Mitch and Michael both cracked up with Mitch saying that Michael was having "technical difficulties".
The weather was getting stormy and since I had a 45 minute drive home, decided not to stay for TT's second set which I'm sure would have been just as enjoyable as the first.