Meeting Grace :: Support Music Where You Live

April 26, 2001-Lorin Rowan

I don't think anyone was quite prepared for the
amazing show that came to be at Meeting Grace when
Lorin Rowan stopped here on his west coast tour.
Part of the legendary Rowan Brothers, he felt an
immediate connection to the house and to the
audience which came across in his commanding and
entertaining performance. On hand to document the
event was a photographer from the SD Union Tribune
and a crowd of music lovers to carry home the
sounds and memories of a fabulous evening.

In his first set, Lorin delighted everyone with
his well-crafted songwriting, his professional
style and extraordinary handling of the guitar on
songs like "Pathways of the Heart," "Circle of
Friends" and "Winkleman's Farm." He switched to
his 12-string to play "Something to Believe In"
and an incredible instrumental piece. From there
he took us to the song that appeared as the title
cut of the Grammy-award winning album for Ricky
Skaggs, "Soldier of the Cross." He commented that
the song is 20 or 25 years old and that it feels
kind of like seeing your child who has grown up.
He closed his first set with "My Saving Grace"
which he dedicated and re-named for this event,
"My Meeting Grace."

The second set was equally well-received, with a
mix of material from the humorous "Shopping Feet"
to the descriptive "Walls of Avignon" and the
truly beautiful "My Father's Son." With the living
room windows swung wide open, you could hear
crickets in the silent wake of each song as every
person let the notes linger and settle. After a
rousing ovation and call for an encore, Lorin
returned to play "If I Had Known You Were a Song"
and a wonderful story song about making a deal
with the devil.

Many people ask me why I don't record these shows.
It's not that I'm against it, but there is
something remarkable about letting shows be. Shows
like this one that leave everyone - performer,
guest, hostess, friends - in a wonderful state of
bliss. A show that may lose something in a mere
written description like this one, but it
happened. And all of us who got to be a part of it
will always hold it.

Added: Thursday, February 05, 2004
Reviewer: Lizzie Wann