77s Message Board | Print: Mike Roe "John The Baptist" tour 2008

Posted by jeffrey k. on 04-11-2008 at09:21:

Tour Starts Tonight!

Just a quick reminder that the Mike Roe "John The Baptist" tour starts tonight! Please note that there is still limited seating available for the Aurora, Nashville, Springfield, and Rock Island concerts. All other concerts will have tickets available at the door.

With that in mind, Lo-Fidelity Records is offering 2 complimentary sets of tickets, 2 tickets in each set, for anyone who would like to come to the Aurora IL. show this evening. If you are interested, and 100% sure you can come, please contact jeffrey k. @ jeffrey@lo-fidelity.com before 2pm today for details on getting your free tickets.

We are also thrilled to announce that as an added bonus to each of these concerts, the 77's have agreed to allow their newly recorded album to be played over the PA after Mike finishes his set. If you can make it to a show, please plan on sticking around to chat with Mike and hear the new record! (The album will not be for sale...this is just a sneak preview!)

jeffrey k.

Posted by peawinkel on 04-11-2008 at18:29:

Cool

Posted by zing on 04-12-2008 at06:51:

album

I won't be able to make it to any of the shows, but am very curious to hear reviews of the album from those who hear some of the songs live!

Please post!!

Posted by MarkyMark77 on 04-12-2008 at11:56:

I did not go (I could not. See my previous post) But, here's what my wife, who did go, said:

He played the whole album (with a few songs on slide guitar), plus MT, Treasure in You, Blue Sky, a Velvet Underground song, and a Michael W. Smith song ("Never Been Unloved" from the "Left Behind" soundtrack) performed as a medley with a song from the movie "Watership Down" (!!!!). She wasn't sure if the VU song was "Jesus" or something else. I figured it was something else, because "Jesus" says the word "Jesus" a lot, so that would be easy to identify.

The Michael W. song is actually pretty decent (I heard a sample. I DO NOT own the CD!), and sounds like a tune that Mike might write, probably the one song that Mike Roe and Michael W. have ever both sung, would be my guess. Big Grin

Although maybe, if I request it when I see him, he'll do "Go West, Young Man" or "Place in this World" or, better yet, "Friends"!!!!

Posted by jeffrey k. on 04-12-2008 at17:28:

Mike opened with "Pale Blue Eyes" by the VU which did include "Jesus" as a way to redeem the song! Happy

(I say that because if memory serves, Mike introduced the song as a "song about adultery, but don't worry....I'll redeem it in the end...!)

jeffrey k.

Posted by earendil215 on 04-13-2008 at13:38:

Cool

Aurora show

I was at the Aurora show on Friday. Good times were had by all (although there was some rebuking taking place).

The new songs were great, and the slide-guitar portion was incredible. In fact, Mike's guitar work was reminiscent (in my mind) to some of Buddy Guy's best work (no small compliment).

The new album was played at the reception after the concert, and it was fantastic. I can't believe it hasn't even been fully mixed yet - sounds perfect to my (non-professional) ears.

I have a feeling that this will be a special release from the band, beyond even the normal incredibleness we've all come to expect. Best ever? That's a tall order ... but I can't wait to compare.

It was so good, in fact, that I rushed out to buy the new(ish) Allison Krause/Robert Plant album.

Posted by Gur on 04-13-2008 at18:33:

Did Mike cover some of those tunes?

Posted by Audiori J on 04-15-2008 at22:50:

Just got back from trh St Louis 77s.com Brian Quincy Newcomb show, the show was great and the new album is excellent! If anyone can make the next one, do it, its worth it.

Posted by Nailtatt on 04-16-2008 at11:06:

Angry

I am so jealous!!!!! I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Audiori J on 04-16-2008 at12:38:

Believe me, I didn't hear all of the new album and what they played is not even finished and I will tell you.. you will love it. It rocks.

Posted by TJ 2.0 on 04-16-2008 at15:32:

Jury's still out in my mind on the "new" material. Not trying to be the dissenter in the group, but I guess part of the reason for me is that I'm not a huge bluegrass fan. Some of Mike's arrangements were good, but I can't really say I'd rush out to buy this one. Still, it's always good to see Mike live, and jeffrey k. put on an excellent show. Noah Riemer was also pretty good, and was a perfect opening act for Mike.

Posted by Audiori J on 04-16-2008 at19:30:

I think the Elvis/Rockabilly and blues stuff has always been a part of the 77s... with their own twist of course, thats what I think is so great about this new material. Its not exactly bluegrass, its old time blues and rockabilly done the 77s way. The new version of "City of Refuge" simply rocked.

Posted by 77 bc on 04-17-2008 at08:09:

Springfield, MO Roe Show

Well, it's in the history books.

First, let me say thanks to Mike, for making the loop thru town, since he and jeffrey k did a 3 hour "out and back" drive yesterday. Hopefully they got back to StL closer to 1AM than 2.

Second, I really need to apologize to Mike, for kinda being a "f***tard" to him, right after the show. After an amazing show, Mike comes to the back, heading to the "green room" (a finished attic space with 2 kitchen chairs and a glass top table, far from plush), and he asks, "How was the show?" or something to that effect. Me, intending to be humorous, chose the WRONG time and subject matter, replied "Totally sucked.......Nah, it was awesome" or something to that effect. Anyway, sincerest apologies for that.

Third, I need to be WAY more organized. I forgot too many things before the show. Still feel bad about not having a bar stool for Mike, and jeffrey k said that they would like to play the "preview cd" after the show, and I had to make a quick run home to grab a portable player, and missed "The Lust"

Anyway, for those of you inquiring minds that want to know, see, etc...here is where I say:

No, I didn't take a camera or any pictures.
No, I didn't have Mike autograph anything.
No, I didn't write down a set list.

What I can tell you is this:

I was worried that the venue wouldn't work out, and other than the lighting and the very sparse "green room" felt that it sounded great and was very pleased with it. When I told Mike that he was playing at the neighborhood pool house, I can't imagine the image that he had in his head, but I know he was pleasantly surprised.

I was blessed to have a great crowd of folks that came. A few smaller than what I needed to take care of all my costs, but a very faithful crowd. So Mike doesn't feel offended, those that had to leave before the show was over...my wife and kids, her best friend and kids (homework, etc), Mickey & his bro-in-law (both had to go to work), and Jeff, had major back strain over the weekend, and his back was killing him. Each enjoyed the show.

Geographic distribution of the crowd.... of course, Springfield, but also included KCMO, Branson, Joplin, Sedalia, (Robert, from Tulsa couldn't make it, at the last minute) Each has assured me that when we do it again, they will all be there.

Personal highlights for me. After scheduling Mike for Springfield, for the third time, I finally got it to happen when my good friend Matt Wilkie was in town. Matt is a missionary, with Convoy of Hope, and the past two times, he was in Africa and Paupau New Guinea. I asked Matt if he would intro the concert, which made his night. He's a great speaker and a very passionate music fan. Even more special, was at the end of the show, when Mike played "The Treasure in You", which is probably Matt's fav' Roe tune of all time.

I can't thank my friend, Meredith, enough, for providing a great sound setup (other than that Yamaha monitor). Even tho it was a small room, those big JBL's were awesome.

It was very cool to meet jeffrey k (and yes, I know how to spell and pronounce his last name), and hang out with him and Mike.

BTW, the Kay guitar that Mike brought along is SWEET. It's an old Jimmy Reed model, and is WAY cool.

Seacock was there, as well as Danny Collins and Jonathan Dix, and all three shot video of the set. Can't wait to see the video, so I can watch the stuff I missed, being the "host" and all...

And that's all I have to say about that. (in my best Forrest Gump impersonation)

Posted by larryl on 04-17-2008 at08:24:

3 camera shoot?

someone call the dork.... we need a new DVD! Big Grin

Posted by 77sfan on 04-17-2008 at08:44:

RE: Springfield, MO Roe Show

quote:

Originally posted by 77 bc
Well, it's in the history books.

Seacock was there, as well as Danny Collins and Jonathan Dix, and all three shot video of the set. Can't wait to see the video, so I can watch the stuff I missed, being the "host" and all...

And that's all I have to say about that. (in my best Forrest Gump impersonation)

Uhhhhhh, Bret, we'll have to talk soon about that video, but don't tell anyone else about this. Wink

Posted by Doctor Love on 04-17-2008 at09:50:

RE: Springfield, MO Roe Show

WHAT?!?!?

Seacock was there and didn't come up and say hi or introduce himself?

AAARRGGHHH -- he always does this to me. Probably 'cuz he doesn't want me to call him 'Seacock' in front of anyone, but I always have a warm welcome for the Cock Happy

Posted by MarkyMark77 on 04-17-2008 at10:00:

quote:

but I always have a warm welcome for the Cock

Exactly what kind of doctor are you? Big Grin

BTW, I will be at the Rock Island show tonight. Anyone else on here (besides the good Dr.) who will be there?

Posted by 77 bc on 04-17-2008 at12:46:

RE: Springfield, MO Roe Show

quote:

Originally posted by Doctor Love
WHAT?!?!?

Seacock was there and didn't come up and say hi or introduce himself?

AAARRGGHHH -- he always does this to me. Probably 'cuz he doesn't want me to call him 'Seacock' in front of anyone, but I always have a warm welcome for the Cock Happy

Yes, he was the mild mannered young man, who's wife was sitting on the front row, to your right. He is the guy that was just behind her, with the video camera.

BTW...I forgot to tell you last night, but the girl that was driving the light blue Chrysler van, who was honking and waving at you had mistakenly took you as being me. It was my wife's best friend, who was on her way to my house. She was quite embarrassed, when she came in the house and I was there. Hope that doesn't shatter your emotions. Shocked