Musical Snobbery at it’s finest

In a blog a few days ago, I mentioned that Mike Farris was playing at 3rd and Lindsley on this past Sunday that that we were going. Having heard the CD, “Salvation in Lights” and seeing several videos on Youtube, I was excited about going. To put it mildly, there was no way that either prepared me for what was going to happen.

The event was part concert, part revival meeting, and a celebration of life. A life that was thought to be wasted, and found to be everything and more. A life that celebrated the joy of living and the reason for that life. It was as close to a religious experience that I’ve ever experienced on the stage before.

It’s odd in a way, because if I were to tell you that the album was half covers from New Orleans turn of the century revival music and the originals were in the same vein, am not sure how many other than purists of the genre would be interested. It will be interesting to see where he goes and what he does as a follow-up. But what lifts the CD up and makes the concert experience so amazing is that the music is infused with an excitement of a person who understands what redemption, grace, and mercy is all about. I invite you to go to his website and read his story and you have a better understanding of what I mean.

The band is made up of 11 members (one of the backup singers was gone home to Houston to celebrate her birthday). A horn section made up of trombone, trumpet, and sax. Keys, drums, bass, lead guitar, and a group of backup singers that would literally blow the roof off by themselves if Mike wasn’t doing a good job of that already.

I applaud him for spreading his music in churches and in clubs as well. One does not have to be a Christian to enjoy this stuff, its focus is on things of the heavenly realm. But for all who were there last night, it was brought to the level of the masses, as we watched a man and his band express the sheer joy of living and of life, and how spiritually can be a powerful force in it.

He will be playing in Nashville at least once in September and then on a regular Sunday night gig at the Station Inn in Oct/Nov. If you have NOT seen him, please do yourself a favor and check it out.