Rich Mullins - Here in America (Bonus DVD)

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I can't say enough about this CD/DVD. I have been a die hard Mullins fan since the 80's. I've been trying to saturate myself with anything Rich for months now. This CD/DVD is such a treasure. It is yet another project of Rich's that blesses and makes one want more. The concert footage was great, and helps to give an insight to the man and his God. February 15, 2008

If I Could Only Have ONE Rich Mullins Album... This Would Be It

If I was stranded on a desert island (albeit, one with electricity, a TV and a DVD player) and could only choose 10 items, this would be one of them. I disagree with the reviewer who thinks this doesn't stand up to repeated viewing/listening. Both the CD and DVD in this set have been played often at my house. My only wish is that someone would unearth some other videos of Rich Mullins concerts to share with the world. June 20, 2007

A Wonderfully Candid Listen

This two-disc set is a must-have for those who know and love Rich Mullins' music. As with everything this poetic, wise, and witty man of God ever did with his great gifts of lyrics and music, the songs on this CD and companion DVD lift up your mind and heart to the Lord without being cloying or preachy. An assemblage of taped excerpts from his concerts--in drafty, very real auditoriums, not elegant concert halls--the CD is the closest thing to a "live" album that Rich Mullins left us, but in a very real way, it is better than a live album. Not in terms of production, certainly; the sound quality is poor and you can hear members of the audience coughing away in some songs. But the music and patter with the audience is utterly real. In addition to freewheeling renditions of his songs (some versions of which sound better in all their raw glory here than they do on studio albums...check out "It Don't Do" and "Verge of a Miracle"), there are excerpts of his interactions with audiences, both touching and humorous. The DVD is an absolute gem; it includes a concert with his band that was taped in Indiana only six months before his death. The DVD also includes twelve brief segments of Rich commenting on living the spiritual life, but true to his style, in a way that is super-engaging and inspiring without being boring in the least. Our loss is heaven's gain, but Rich left us a lot of beautiful music, profound words, and the poetry of his lyrics to help guide us in our walks with the Lord. I give this two-disc set the highest recommendation. June 4, 2007

"THE BIGGEST WEIRDO OF THEM ALL..."

A good, good friend of mine sent me a copy of this wonderful CD/DVD collection. So before I give Here in America the most honest review I can muster, I must admit that: 1. My copy is a highly prized gift & 2. Rich Mullins is a hero of mine (see Rich's own definition of a hero on the DVD). That said, I honestly don't like much of the music on the CD (there are some blazing exceptions though)--but I LOVE the DVD!

The songs worth hearing on the CD are few, but deep in quality. The live versions of Hello Old Friends, What Trouble Are Giants? and None Are Stronger are all excellent. What Trouble Are Giants? has actually become my son's favorite song.

Yet that's not why we're here--is it? One gets the sense that the music was just a pretext for getting the DVD a wider audience. I'm glad they marketed it that way; I doubt I would have seen the DVD otherwise.

The DVD is top notch. We get an excellent live studio performance by Rich and the Ragamuffins. Added to that (and this is the real show-stopper for me) is the film of Rich and Beaker lecturing at the same place a few years earlier. Who knew Rich was such an awesome and insightful teacher?

I love his idea of the Bible being a book of stories about a bunch of weirdos and God being the biggest weirdo of them all--as Brennan Manning would say--"The Wild Man." This is teaching from a man who knew first-hand the reckless raging fury that they call the Love of God. Amen.

I'll stop babbling. It is time for you to get your own copy. You won't be disappointed.

I give Here in America a hearfelt recommendation. May 4, 2005

The DVD alone makes this worth buying

Buy this CD/DVD if you want to watch Rich Mullins perform live. The songs on the CD are classic Mullins and inspire and entertain. All Mullins fans should have this CD/DVD in their collecton. October 21, 2004

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