From:

Hi folks,

Sorry this is a bit late, I'm still recovering from a very long weekend, but I thought I'd better post it before Robin starts threatening me. <VBG>

My Godfather, Steve, and I got the chance to see Phil Sunday night in Plattsmouth, NE about 60 mi from here. I only told a few people in chat that I was going because until Tuesday evening, I wasn't sure about getting a ride. Boy am I glad I did!!!

We arrived at Plattsmouth High School around 6 and the show was supposed to start at 7. Phil had already had a long weekend and wanted to rest awhile before the show so he asked if it could be postponed until 7:30. No problem with me!

Anyway, we found our seats and Phil came out in a great mood, though understandably tired. If I hadn't known what his weekend was like, I wouldn't have noticed! Phil plays very well when tired! Anyway, I didn't take very good notes this time, but here is the rundown as I remember it.

1 - Some acoustic noodling nobody (even Phil) recognized
2 - Strong Tower (without the "Not So Long Ago" Intro!)
3 - Sign Came Through A Window
4 - Shouts of Joy (I like the acoustic version of this. It would fit well on a praise and worship type album. HINT, HINT!)
5 - Duct Tape Universe (I have deep respect for anyone who tries this in public without the lyrics sheet! Phil's concert versions are much shorter than the album version and always different, but good!)
6 - I Will Sing (A request)
7 - Salvation Army Band (Phil remarked that this song is even more appropriate in the times we are in now. Some good layering here and that little plastic thing is too cool!)
8 - Shades of Green (I love this song!!!!!!! This was one of the best versions I've heard Phil do.)
9 - Let Everything Else Go
10 - Our Towers (A new song written by Phil's uncle Duke about 9-11. This version is slightly altered from the original but still very good. A very emotional tune)
11 - Spend My Life With You / God Bless America (A perfect follow-up to "Our Towers". Phil does a tremendous job interweaving GBA in here. I REALLY wish I'd recorded this!)

Intermission - The promoter auctioned off a guitar donated by MegaWatt Pro Audio to help pay the remaining concert expenses. Phil autographed the pickguard and then demo'd the guitar. It will never play the same again!

12 - She's A Dancer (At the request of the promoter)
13 - Rejoice (Not the 16 minute version, but still great!)
14 - JamMan Introduction
15 - From The Beginning (ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!!!! I have not heard a better version of this song, folks! Complete with Jamacan drums! Even better than Strings Attached! Oh how I wish this were recorded!!!!!!!)
16 - Little Ones
17 - Legacy
18 - Little Star
19 - Fooling Around (He commented that most people who request a song just want the main lick, so he started out with the signature lick from "Time" and then did some Elvis stuff)
20 - If Love Is All We've Got (a Paul Overstreet tune)
21 - True Believers (Except for the mic cutting out and back in 1/3 of the way through the song, this version was wonderful!
22 - Hold Me Jesus / Amazing Grace w/Vocals (This one left me absolutely speechless, if you can imagine that! Wow! I don't think I have been so moved to tears at a PK show before, not that it hasn't happened, just not like this. It's a God thing! Not the same version of 'Amazing Grace' I'm used to singing with the college ministry team! John Newton would be pleased.)

After it was all over, it took a few minutes for most of us to recover from the last song. But when we finally did, Steve and I went and found Brian, Phil's road manager, who took us backstage to hang out with Phil for a while. Phil was pleased to see us and we had a great time hanging out with him. One of the first things I asked was if they had recorded the evening. Sadly, they did not. What a shame! We talked about the new song, "Our Towers" and "God Bless America". Phil is really pleased that we are all enjoying "GBA". We joked around a bit about my age (or lack thereof) when Phil mentioned 2nd Chapter of Acts. Some other topics of interest were Macca, Sept 11, hats, web sites and a whole host of other things I'm blanking on at the moment.

I'm still a bit dazed, and glowing, from the whole evening. But it was over way too quickly! We finally got home at 12:15 and I could barely sleep! I'm still tired! But it was all worth it! Thanks to Robin, Brian, Steve, Greg and especially Phil for a fantastic evening!!!

-- Steph

Page Last Updated: November 5, 2001