Hi Rich Fans,
Many of you are already aware that last summer Rich announced at several of the concert dates that he had finished writing (and was preparing to record this fall) ten songs specifically about Jesus. Last May, when Mark Robertson and I visited (see [RichMailList 133]: This Train & Canticle Info), he had told me a little about it. He told me Rich wanted to do an album that was mostly scriptural. Rather than the usual man-made stories, Rich wanted it to be closer to scripture set to music. Mark also said that originally Rich wanted all the Ragamuffins to bring a song to the project, and even for them to sing lead on it. They finally convinced Rich that he should sing them, because he is who everyone wanted to hear.
Well, now Rich is gone and all we have is a demo tape that Rich recorded on a jambox just before he died. That's the bad news.
The good news is Kid Brothers is currently negotiating with Myrrh Records to release this new music. Myrrh will be releasing regular updates/press releases, and they will be posted here as they become available. Kid Brothers does not anticipate any problems, they just need to change some wording related to Rich's estate, etc., and the fact that they cannot do the original six album deal for obvious reasons.
There are production meetings scheduled, a recording schedule is being developed, and other negotiations taking place. They expect an album to happen and anticipate a June release. I understand Rick Elias will produce, and unconfirmed possibilities include a release of the cleaned-up, as-is demo tape and/or a tribute with other artists recording those songs. Exact details on this recording (and other ideas being discussed) will be forthcoming as soon as those become reality.
Regarding This Train (whose home page is at http://www.thistrain.com), I have received requests from several asking how to get on the This Train Mailing List.
The following is from Trish Patterson ...
Here's all anyone has to do to subscribe to the TT Mailing List
(the system automatically subscribes you).
Send an e-mail to:
majordomo@maillist.peak.org
and in the body of the letter type:
subscribe ttrain <insert your e-mail address here>
and fire it off. That's it. New subscribers will receive an
acknowledgement letter. There is a digest option for those who
would prefer to get one big e-mail at a time. Otherwise, subcribers
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For more information on This Train, check out The Phantom Tollbooth's latest
reviews on _Mimes of the Old West_ at:
http://www.tollbooth.org/mini/mimes.html