It was fabulous! My wife and I had a great time. His music is so powerful, so honest about the difficulties of life, yet so hopeful and meaningful. And his guitar playing is superb, paradoxically frustrating and inspiring for a wanna-be like me. We took 5 friends who before had little to know exposure to Bob. Needless to say, they bought CDs.
He played most all the songs I was looking forward to hearing: Man of the Tombs, My Redeemer Lives, Codependent Love, Angels Around your Bed, Hope Like a Stranger,and more. He ended with his most magnificant song Mountain Cathedrals, and encored with Singing for My life. He didn't play No Such Thing As Divorce, which is such a moving song and I would have liked to hear, but that's not one you call out as a request.
In between songs he shared his wisdom and humor, both wonderful, concerning the songs and their inspiration. It was a relatively small crowd but receptive, and Bob's honesty and jokes helped break up the formality of the setting (Lompoc is a military community).
I got the unique opportunity to help Bob out when he forgot the lyrics to the third verse of Hope Like a Stranger. He played it off well, it being a very "human moment." He called out for help from the crowd so I yelled out "Hope by itself can never be an end..." He couldn't hear me so I went up to the front pew and fed him the first couple lines triggerring his memory. What a thrill! From then on I was known as the "lyric guy."
After the concert my wife, friends, and I went up to talk and had a great conversation with him and his "special" friend Elenna (sp?), both wonderful and very friendly. His son Jeff (I think that's his name) was also there. To show their appreciation for my help with the lyrics, they are sending me a preview of his new album!!! What an honor. We also talked about him coming to Santa Barbara which he was very willing to do. I am planning on making some calls today to set a venue, for hopefully some time in June (I may be moving to Minnesota after that, thus the rush).
Thanks again for your commitment to Bob and the web page. I can't say enough about his music.
Take care,
Lyric Guy (alias David Chase)
Westmont College, SB