Amy Ward
Critique #2
The Other Side of the Radio Tour
Chris Rice
Arden, NC
5-3-2003 7:30 p.m.
(3.75 pages)
Chris Rice is one of my all-time-favorite
recording artists. A friend of mine
invited me to a concert he gave in Asheville two years ago, so this time
when he
came to town, I invited a whole bunch of my family. Chris was once
a youth minister
and then started using his songs to witness and encourage kids. This
has turned
into a huge ministry with several albums. He has a truly gifted way
with words.
So many of his songs say just exactly what I have felt, or do feel now.
His purpose
with this tour is to promote his new CD, of course, and also to help people
strengthen
their relationship with God. Unlike many other arts events I could
go to, I knew this
one would certainly be an uplifting experience, yet not devoid of information
about
society and life today.
Armed with an entorage that included
my boyfriend, sister, her friend, our uncle
and his wife, I opened my note pad and waited for inspiration to strike.
While the
band played, I sketched the stage and location of each member. Then
I sketched
the lights and sound system. I knew some of the songs already, so I
didn’t have to
pay too close attention to what was being said and I could
concentrate on the technical
aspects of the show. Several times I felt like whomever was in charge
of the lightning
was either new, or off. Solo lights came up when no one was soloing…
new colors
appeared several bars before the music changed … it was just disjointed.
Sometimes
it was appropriate, a cold blue, or warm amber that is the light of memories.
At times
when the music changed and softened, so did the stage lighting, which only
enhanced
the message of the music.
The church itself was beautiful.
It was a rounded sanctuary, which worked to
bring the audience and performers close together as one. When I had
called for
information I asked if they anticipated the show selling out. A slightly
scornful answer
was given that the sanctuary held 1200 people, the show would certainly not
sell out.
Well over half the seats were still available, but still it had the feel
of a private concert.
Between songs, Chris would stop and
make comments and tell stories. He would
tell how songs came into creation; what inspired them. The history
and background of
why he does what he does. The musicians would take turns playing the
intricate parts
of the music. There were three guitarists and one drummer. Chris
played the acoustic
guitar, Ricky Jackson was the bass player, and Ran Jackson had at least three
different
guitars he played during the show.
His song “Nonny Nonny” was reminescant
of “The Chronicles of Narnia” and the
adventures of the 4 children. The chorus is dreamlike
and the lights washed the stage in
an amber sunset of memory as if they were remembering when they were 7 years
old.
That was very effective. Then he talked about some of his younger friends,
(because
that’s the age he hangs out with the most at Youth Camps, etc), who wanted
to get
together and go downtown in Nashville, TN where they live and meet the homeless
people,
talking to them, listening to their stories and looking them in the
eye, valuing them as people
because so many people avoid doing that. He told how it really challenged
his faith and
then he sang his song about the Face of Christ. A dim blue lighting
fell on the stage as he
sang about a homeless man with a roof of stars. During the chorus,
the lights were a
changing amber and purple/red for more forceful music, then fading again
to blue for the
verses.
All four of the guys were in blue jeans
and tennis shoes with a certain 70’s type genre.
It was almost as if we were one big group of friends hanging out. It
made them seem more
approachable, more real, more human. The words of his title track song
for the tour really
say it all about what Chris Rice is trying to accomplish with his concerts,
so I’ve included the
lyrics. Also, you can go to www.chrisrice-online.com and
a small box will popup over the
web page and offer sound clips of all the songs on the new album.
After the intermission, Christ came
out and gave his testimony where he pretty much
said that he sometimes has a hard time with the mission of putting focus
on God even though
he’s the one standing in the spotlight, he’s not sure how that works, but
then he shows that
worship is the key. So for his final song he played one of my very
favorite songs about how
even while we’re asleep, the rocks and trees and all creation will continue
to give praise to
God. I would definitely recommend anyone to go see/hear him on
this 25-city tour. I bought
the new CD and two of the books with piano/guitar/vocal music for his
songs.
Here I am on the
other side of the radio
Wonderin’ why I’m
here and why anybody cares what I say.
No I’m not a better
man cause I’m singing my songs on the radio
Cause we’re all
the same, at the end of the day.
Now I imagine you
on the other side of the radio
Doin’ your homework or drivin’
with your windows down on the freeway
I see you tappin’ the wheel
I see you bobbin your head to the radio
Oh and it makes
my day, to see that smile on your face
And in some small
way I remember my place
Cause it’s you and
me singing the same song right now
And maybe this will
bring us together somehow
And maybe there’s
a million people all singing along
Somebody started
thinkin’ about the third line
And maybe someone’s
sayin’ a prayer for the first time
And that’s enough
reason to keep me singing my song
Singing my song,
on the other side of the radio
Crank up the volume
sing at the top of your lungs with the radio
Tune it in to some
good news and laughing along with the DJ
We’re changing someone’s
world from the other side of the radio
Oh and it makes
my day to see that smile on your face
And in some small
way, I remember my place
Cause it’s you and me singing
the same song right now
And maybe this will bring
us together some how
And maybe there’s a million people
all singing along
Somebody started thinking
about the third line
And maybe someone’s sayin’ a prayer
for the first time
And that’s enough
reason to keep me singin’ my song
Singing my song
on the other side of the radio (2x)
Dah Dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah
Other Side of the
Radio (3x)
Did Chris achieve his purpose? Well, my uncle cried…