“This isn’t gospel music,” so said the sound man as I asked for a setlist for the MercyMe concert.
Having only learned about the band from the inspiring movie , and thinking gospel music in terms of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson and George Beverly Shea, I couldn’t quite understand the implications of the kind words of education. I soon got a 3 ½ hour lesson.
Opening the show was singer/comedian Micah Tyler (a name of a home-schooled kid if ever I heard one) who good naturedly mixed fervent originals with homespun stories not unlike a summer youth pastor. A half hour eager to please.
Next up was the band Crowder, who veered between baptized Bo Diddley and Chicago blues that pounded and thundered and holy rap before going into a thoughtful and restive mix of Millennial church tunes, most notably the worshipful “Oh How He Loves Us.” The sincerity of heart was reflected in the words of each song being displayed in the background. Who thought that brilliant idea up?
Between sets, a man came out and encouraged the audience to sponsor orphans in the Third World (are we allowed to say that anymore? How about “Developing Countries”?) and even gave his own testimony about how he was taken in after being abandoned. Nothing contrived or manipulative, it seemed like people truly interested in a Cause greater than themselves.
And while 25 year old band MercyMe (“We began when we were 9” joked leader/vocalist Bart Millard) may not technically be a “gospel” band in the sense of The Franklin Family, the team of Millard with Michael John Scheuchzer/g, Nathan Cochran/b, Barry Graul/b and Robby Shaffer/dr was definitely a band that delivered the Good News of hope and forgives to a hurting world.
Songs like the upbeat “Best News” and the driving “You Found Me” featured impressive vocal range and dynamics by Millard, while some chiming chords on “Heaven Is Here” and Scheuchzer’s slide guitar work on “Flawless” mixed celebration with tight instrumental arrangements. The vocal harmonies as on the doo woppy “Grace To You” as well as the liturgical “and reverent “Ghost” took the audience on reflective spiritual voyages as well as rich musical excursions.
Most pleasant was when everyone unplugged and sat around the campfire for the two stepping hoedown “Greater,” a snappy “Move” complete with Bee Gee-inspired vocal harmonies, a deeply thoughtful “Dear Younger Me” and a Nashville Skylined “Finally Home.” The rich six stringed picking along with effortless yet inspiring (in the literal sense of the word) vocals by Millard mixed swinging beats with an eternal message.
A stark “Even If” focused on doubts we all get at times on God’s goodness in times of grief, with Millard taking the sugar coating off of his celebrity. Even more was the popular movie title song, followed by the optimistic encore “We Win” mixing riveting enthusiasm with an Irish Pub stomp.
The seamless tapestry of music and message by the venerable band came off like a 21st Century of JS Bach,who began every composition by writing “Jesus Help” and concluding “To God Be The Glory.” Some ideas never lose importance.
Upcoming shows at the Microsoft Theater include Alexandra Guzman 05/17 Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour 05/11 and 80s Weekend #8 07/29
photos by Microsoft Theater/Andrew Bernstein Associates/Adam Pantozzi