Concert Setlist:
Sign Came Through A Window
Turn To The Light
David & Goliath
Going Home
Do Lord
From The Beginning
John The Revelator

OK--I had my first Creation experience this weekend, and it was very positive--I went with my 12 year old daughter and our church youth group. I read here some negative comments about bad behavior at some Creation events, but saw nothing at all like that here (but did see lots of teenagers working through adolesence in lots of different ways). Creation was not only a great way to see a LOT of bands, but they had some good speakers, and a powerful message throughout of doing something with your faith--over a thousand kids got sponsored with Compassion over the weekend, lots of info about the horrific AIDS crisis in Africa was distributed (the country of Africa, as Dan Hasseltine kept unfortunately referring to it--but hey, at least he was trying!), and more. The offering at the festival was going to evangelistic outreaches in the Northwest (one by Luis Palau (doesn't his name kind of sound like a Klingon word?) here in Seattle--in 2 weeks!, and another by Franklin Graham too). So--bully for them--good worworship, good music, good message, good example--praise God!

I also have to say that the music overall was better than I expected it to be. I can only last so long on our local "family friendly" Christian radio station, before having to look elsewhere for some soul/guts/funkiness in the music, so I was not sure how I'd do at 2 1/2 days. There was much more worshiping going on that I expected--even with "big" bands, so that was very cool (but not manipulative, really), and it moves the music to a different place for me. Also, some of the bands were really much better than I expected. Audio Adreneline really surprised me--I have been mostly annoyed by "Never Gonna Be As Big As Jesus" for a long time and had low expectations. They were great--and had the whole place up and moving (one of only two times all weekend that happened). The Newsboys were also very good. There were lots of new (to me at least) bands as well that have some promise. One was RelientK (sic)--a band of kids from Ohio (!) who play punky rock with actual melodies and harmony singing--and funny lyrics. They either wrote or played or both the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything from the latest VeggieTales. I saw more shirts for them than any other band.

Right after RelientK came this other band from Ohio. After a sound check (which was the only one I saw all weekend), the boys swung into Sign Came Through the Window. Phil was playing a black Parker. Then he switched to a beautiful woodgrain Zion. They played a song off the new album that Daniel sang, but whose title I have forgotten (sorry Daniel!)--it was very nice (just cut vocal tracks the day before, I think), then David and Golaith->Going Home->Do Lord; a scorching "From the Beginning" and an extended John the Revelator. I was hoping that being the last act on the main stage before the dinner break would give them some excuse to stretch out, but they were off in less than an hour. It was a great performance, though. I was thrilled to finally get a chance to see Glass Harp live and was right up about 4 rows back (with my daughter, who either really liked it or was a great sport, or some of both). The band looked like it was having fun, and was very tight. It was terrific. Thanks guys!

Then I went to the tent for autographs (something I've never done in my life). Incredibly, there was still a long RelientK line, but soon we got to see Daniel, John and Phil. They were all very nice, friendly, and gracious. I got autographs on my new copy of Carnegie Hall (I forgot and left Strings Attached at home! D'oh!) and I also had the insert from my 2-disc Inseparable. I asked John to sign Chalice for me. Phil asked me if Inseparable was my album and if I liked it. I cleverly said that I liked it (I was talking to PHIL!). What I thought of almost immediately (but too late to actually say it) was that it was very liturgical. Anyway--it was a pleasure to get to meet the guys and thanks so much for your time and autographs! Daniel--I'm the guy from Cincinnati. While I didn't get to see any shows at the Ludlow Garage (I have eaten at the Unos there, though), I did see lots of bands in Bogarts, Shipleys and other places. I came along a few years after GH stopped playing together, but saw bands like Wheels--which I'm pretty sure you remember-- and later the Raisins around town.

I was disappointed that no GH music was available in the music tent--I'm not sure who's decision that was (but am guessing it relates to those albums not being distributed by a record label). While I'm glad that albums were available in the line for autographs, but that really limits the possible audience. Also, regarding ideas for promoting Glass Harp and/or its new album--the progressive rock and jam band communities are both possibilities (and both are field white for the harvest). GH kind of straddles those genres in a way that is pretty unusual. I don't know much about progressive rock (except about Adrian Belew, mostly through the Raisins/Bears), but know that there are jam band sites, internet stations, communities, festivals, etc. that GH was really be heard with appreciation. It could be good for both the band and the audience. At Creation there were lots of people really digging the performance up close, and I know that lots of people further out were enjoying it too, but the audience for great improvisational rock playing is somewhat specialized, so a lot of what they were doing was lost on much of the crowd at Creation. (maybe much like much of what Plus One was doing was lost on me!) That--fun, unexpected, original jamming-- is exactly what jam band fans like to hear. Just a thought.