From:
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 1999 15:49:10 -0500

The three hour drive was most definitely worth it. Grace Pres. Church seats somewhere between 1000 to 1500 and I was disappointed that it was not sold out. Nonetheless, the excitement level of those waiting in line was high. I stood in line for about an hour in the north ex and met a guy named Mark (not a K-lister). His first concert and he owned no Keaggy music. I suddenly became the resident expert for all the CD's at the table.

Randy came out first and performed, hilariously and emotionally for an hour and twenty minutes. Many of his songs were from his new album 'Thirst' and I knew none of his songs going in but here's what I got as a list:

1. Hand Of God
2. Stupid World
3. Toes - Hilarious, ROTFL! The only tune he actually announced the title.
4. Baby Hates Clowns - with a funny story relating to his 3 y/o daughter about how she was afraid of a clown in a parade.
5. Mighty Father of Creation
6. Rather long, but very touching monologue about himself and his dad driving Randy home from a concert which led into 'That's Why We Don't Love God'
7. Everything's All right - Hilarious, trying to get the audience to sing along. Dragged out the ending repeating the last two words forever. Very fun!
8. I Was Only Sleeping

BREAK

Phil came out to a rousing applause and immediately introduced himself and the Jam-Man. He tested his equipment and discovered a dead battery and called the 'Battery Man' to rectify the situation. In about 50 minutes he played the following tunes:

1. Sign Came Through A Window - He started a few riffs and kicked up his left leg and stopped and told us he learned that trick from Randy.
2. Salvation Army Band with extended jam, loops, choruses and there was even an electric fuzz thrown in from ... somewhere. Amazing. It was interesting to note that he "never knows where I'm going with that one".
3. Under The Grace - This song always moves me.
4. Nellie's Tune - 2 capos. Some in the audience had never seen this before and Phil must have heard someone's confusion about it as he commented that this was "not some sort of dental procedure". My mouth was literally agape during this tune. I have a hard time enough getting my fingers going in a 1, 2, 3 pattern and what was happening on that fretboard was no less than phenomenal!
5. Pilgrim's Flight
6. What A Day - with extended jam. At one point during the jam Phil's pick suddenly went arcing up and above him to his right. I don't think he saw where it went because turned his guitar over and shook itthinking the pick flew into the soundhole all the while the Jam-Man is looping all sorts of stuff. Phil just shrugged his shoulder, continued jamming and didn't miss a beat.
7. At this point he read from the Daily Light which led into an Elvis impression.
8. Let Everything Else Go - Beautifully done.
9. I think 'In The Light Of Common Day' - You'd think for as often as I've listened to Beyond Nature I would know the titles to these tunes.

At this point Randy came out. If you think Randy is funny ... These guys together are one heck of a show! As he introduced Randy Phil stood in front of Randy's mic, which was over his head. Phil stated they would be "Mutt & Jeff" or "Of Mice & Men". Randy entered with his satchel and guitar and Phil teased him about his "office". Phil then asked Randy if he'd ever seen Phil's 'harmonica imitation'. Randy said, "No". Phil played a riff and activated a foot pedal which produced a backward loop while he imitated playing a harmonica. It probably took them between five and ten minutes to get to their first song which was:

1. Sunday's Child - never really a favorite of mine but they were very funny attempting to get the high vocals. Phil said they're not as easy to get at nearly 50 y/o.
2. Tribute song to Rich Mullins - wasn't 'Hold Me Jesus'.
3. Who Will Save The Children
4. Keep Me Running - with lots of jamming. Another really fun tune.

Randy was out signing autographs for a short period of time and I got a photo of him at the table. No sign of Phil, though. A wonderful time and I think this is the best I've seen Phil play, IMO.

Sorry for the length. Take care all and stay cool. It's REALLY HOT here. Yuck!

Jim

Page Last Updated: September 28, 2001