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The first band to ever play Cornerstone just keeps getting better and better. The soaring star-gazing guitars were on display 7/1/05. Some bands only sound good in a studio, The Choir is not one of those bands because the live show they put on at Cornerstone this year surpassed any of their studio work to date. With the full soundscapes created by the guitars and the ferocious pounding by Steve Hindalong the melt together forming an offering that is truly heaven sent. 

Everyone’s favorite bass player (Tim Chandler) could not make the trip to Bushnell this year so Matt Slocum (Sixpence None the Richer) filled in for him. Slocum deserves mad props because earlier that day he performed in Milwaukee, WI then flew to Illinois to play with The Choir. He did an exquisite job anchoring the band throughout the whole set, his constant bass was the rock the others built upon. He also played cello during the last three songs. This performance would not be as over the top fabulous if it was not for Christendom’s most famous Ohioan Dan “Buckeye” Michaels. Regrettably he is often overlooked when this band is mentioned but he showed in living color why he is in the band. At the beginning of the rock-licking “Consider” Dan had a little hiccup with getting the lyricon working properly and you could tell something was missing in this song (granted it still sounded phenomenal) but by the middle of the song when it was up and running Dan started treating us to steady blows of his lyricon thus solidifying that unique “Choir” sound. Throughout the set he alternated between the saxophone and the aforementioned lyricon. He definitely delivered some career defining moments on “Yellow Skies” and “Children of Time.” 

Marc Byrd who now is officially a member of the band (hallelujah!) lent his masterful atmospheric assault which was both gorgeous and emotive. This assault was super evident on “I Love Your Mind.” He is so talented; anyone he plays with has no choice but to be better. He handled the lead vocals on “God of Wonders” which he and Steve Hindalong co-wrote. The centerpiece to the whole performance had to be the ending of “Sad Face” Derri and Marc unleashed a tidal wave of notes that the audience was more than willing to bathe in. A bonus was that they played “Tear for Tear / About Love” (I don’t care what anyone says this is one song) which happens to be my favorite Choir track of all time. The way those two songs blend together perfectly is uncanny and is just as good as U2’s “An Cat Dubah / Into the Heart” from their album “Boy.” It’s hard to make two songs meld so seamlessly but they pull it off extremely well even in a live setting. Those songs ended their regular set but thankfully they did an encore.

The encore opened with the tour de force “Circleslide.” Some songs are birthed to be played on stage and this most certainly is one of those songs. This is a great song but when done live its otherworldly too perfect for words. Ask anyone who attended this show and they’ll tell you this was not just a rock show, this was communion with God via five conduits: Derri, Dan, Matt, Marc and Steve. Thank you guys so much for sharing your talents with us. If you are ever remotely close to where The Choir is playing, I highly recommend you stop by and check them out you won’t be disappointed In fact you will knocked over by they musicianship and their sincerity.

Set List
1.  O How The Mighty Have Fallen
2.  Fine Fun Time
3.  Mercy Will Prevail
4.  Consider
5.  Children of Time
6.   Yellow Skies
7.   I Love Your Mind
8.   Sad Face
9.   Sentimental Song
10. Leprechaun
11. To Cover You
12. Tear For Tear
13. About Love
Encore
14.  Circleslide
15.  To Rescue Me
16.  God of Wonders
17.  Beautiful Scandalous Night
 

In addition to writing for Phantom Tollbooth, Aaron also independently writes poems, devotionals and more about the human condition. To read more of his writings or order some of his books go to: www.aaroncanderson.us.