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From: Linda Welz
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001
Subject: Mitch review
I had the opportunity to see Mitch this past weekend at both West Ridge Community Church and in Rolling Meadows.
To see Mitch at West Ridge was like seeing him playing to a group of 400 friends. This was his third time there and there were so many familiar faces for him. The guys had gotten just a couple hours of sleep - not getting on the road early enough the day before. But you would never know it. And by the time Mitch got to the Lemonade Song it was apparent the caffeine had kicked in. I didn't know one person could say words at such rapid pace. They did a total of six songs including No Not One.
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I also saw them that evening. That morning Joe asked if I would be there that night and I said I didn't think so. I had not planned on it, I had other obligations, but one of the songs Mitch sang that morning left me with the need to spend the evening hearing more from Mitch. And usually the most wonderful things in life are not planned.
Just a few notes:
It was just Mitch and Joe this weekend. Brad was back in Nashville working on his solo CD. They did a total of 16 songs that evening along with a sing along at the end. Mitch opened with a new remix of Gospel Rain with a hard driving drum beat. We had the opportunity to hear Joe sing that night. Mitch as usual spoke of Rich. In the past he was always tremendously serious, this time while he was, there was also a smile on his face that showed sheer joy when speaking of Rich.
There are times when it is apparent that Mitch is telling us his feelings; telling the audience a story. However during one his new songs "Watch Over Me", which he said he wrote in a time of despair I felt as though I was an intruder. That I was eaves dropping on a most intimate conversation he was having that moment with God. It made me painfully aware of my own struggles I've had recently and brought tears to my eyes not once twice that day.
I love his spin on Rich's old "When You Love". Made me want to get up and shimmy. Thank goodness he didn't feel the need to include the synclavier in his version. That song was extremely well received by the crowd.
It was a little strange not seeing Brad up there. Joe and Mitch have a great rapport - they are just a hoot together. And the sounds those two created were just unbelievable. Mitch and Joe were both extremely well received by all. Because for once I didn't have my children with me I was able to really soak in what Mitch was singing and the audiences reaction to him. On some songs people were sitting on the edge of their seats leaning forward as if he was whispering in their ears and they didn't want to miss a word. On other songs they were clapping right along having a grand time. It was great for me to see some familiar faces; people I've met a previous concerts. And if I felt that way, I can just imagine how Mitch feels when familiar faces approach him. Mitch keeps remixing the "old" songs - they are continually new sounding. And what will be on his new CD is nothing short of awe inspiring. Musically they just keeps getting better and lyrically Mitch continues to point and gently push us toward God; be it on our knees, through our tears or amidst our laughter. Thank goodness Mitch is so willing to share with us his prayers, thoughts, struggles and gratefulness to God.