Photo by Bill Cameron
Gospel singing sensation Robert Robinson was in for a scare. He had a lump in his vocal cords removed earlier this summer and was considering getting his tonsils taken out. His doctor, a member of St. Joan of Arc, felt the risk to his magnetic voice was a risk not worth taking. The swelling in his tonsils was brought down and he was released with a prescription of three months of vocal rest. The big question remained—what would his voice be like after surgery?

The SJA Choir had the distinct honor of recording three tracks with Robinson July 26, 2004 at Creations Audio Studio in Minneapolis [see story—SJA Choir Records with Robert Robinson]. Two tracks "Steal Away" and "Wondrous Day of Our God" are featured on his Christmas 2004 release Inspiration. Robinson decided a CD release concert was due and joined our choir Friday September 30 in the SJA Auditorium for his first public singing appearance since the surgery. How's his voice? "My throat is doing good," he joyfully responded at our rehearsal. He thanked us for our prayers of support. Though he held back during the rehearsal, he pulled out all stops for a rapturous performance during this concert.

Looking majestic and unusually festive in a black and golden glittery draping over a black suit with matching fez hat, he regarded his attire by retorting, "OK, this is a Lorie Line special." Well, divinely special is what we got from this remarkable performer. He's never sounded so surprisingly gritty than with Sam Cooke's classic "A Change Is Gonna Come." Taking advantage of using the throaty lower register of his voice, he deeply growled and belted the chorus with passionate verve.

Family and friends accompanied Robinson through out the evening. His exceptional trio of backup singers, Annette Hardy and sisters Sandy Hodges and Valerie Robinson got people clapping merrily along to "Put a Little Love In Your Heart" as Robinson took joyous liberty with playful phrasing. He received support by his band that included Dokun Oke on guitar; Lee Gatlin on bass; Brian Kendrick on drums and Sam Reef on keyboards.

Ever the Gospel singer, Robinson remarked he had no plans to change his style but has willfully taken on secular music as long as "the music has a message and a positive direction." The Alan Menkin/Stephen Schwartz The Lion King composition "Colors of the Wind" received a breezy jazzy treatment. Back to his Gospel roots, Robinson joined Sandy and Valerie for the uplifting spiritual "Today Is a Good Day." Playing the role of a Preacher at the Pulpit, he improved and gesticulated with riveting conviction, reminding us to count our benevolent blessings. He queried the audience, "How are you doin' today? [You say] my kids have been on my everlasting nerves. Child, don't ask me that stuff. I'm still having a good day. If your knees are knocking, your hands are feelin,' your eyeballs are seein.' I'm here to tell you you're having a real, real, real good day!"

Karaoke was Robinson's way of learning secular songs. He talked about how Aretha Franklin had inspired him with her recording of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," only to realize he had introduced the wrong song. Informing his band to keep going, he sighed, "I'm still having a good day." He kept it going gloriously with Ricky Skaggs "Somebody's Prayin," a ballad tailor made for Robinson's strengths of combining gentle nuance with sudden bursts of fevered wailing. His backup trio heavenly accompanied him along. Telling it like it is, Robinson kept the pace deliberately slow on "Bridge." Digging deeper into the lyric's contemplative meaning, he offered further insight: "When you're down and out, when you're on the street" followed with "Believe it or not, somebody in this room might be on the streets." He emotionally imploded, touching on the Gulf Coast troubles, he exclaimed, "God gave them another bridge—he gave them you and me. We can be a bridge."

Robinson proudly spoke of the silent auction that preceded the concert and would start again at intermission. Numerous pieces, both photography and drawings, were on display with 100% of the proceeds going to the Hurricane Relief funds. He closed the first act by discussing singer songwriters who sang about the issues that matter, referencing Cooke and Marvin Gaye. He then segued into Gaye's "What's Goin' On?" Unfortunately, this jazzy light mediocre arrangement does little to inspire the great sentiments this song offers or builds the momentum necessary for a strong finish to what was otherwise an exceptional Act I.

After a half hour intermission with cookies, wine and cider, and a silent auction, the 600 strong audience returned for a lively Act II. St. Joan's Choir, expanding its mighty sound with a good 20 additional voices, joined Robinson for two contemporary and four spiritual arrangements.

SJA Choir Director Anna Vagle provided steadfast direction with the choir and Robinson along with Dan Chouinard on piano. Opening strongly with the Christian Explainers "Somandela," Robinson provided a funky workout with the choir on Jack Leroy Wilson's "Higher and Higher." The traditional "Steal Away" started ever so softly then dynamically soared in waves while The Lion King's "He Lives In You" made for an interweaving exchange of sweet musical frolicking and chanting between Robert and the choir. Marty Haugen's "Wondrous Day of Our God" built layer by layer climaxing with a standing ovation.

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.
Jerry Hartlaub commutes from New Brighton with his wife, Trish, to be refreshed and challenged at the "SJA spiritual oasis". He's a Sunday mass slide jockey and often waiter at SJA events. For fun he's jogged over 35,000 miles, written a bunch of poetry, just printed his first book and invented lots of stuff in a 30-year bioengineering career. These days he teaches cardiac physiology and pacemakers as a consultant (ya, he's mostly retired), serves on non-profit boards and does Junior Achievement gigs. But most rewarding is providing some regular child-care for 2 of the world's smartest, cutest grandchildren.
Robinson and his backup trio took full command bringing that old time Gospel feeling into play with a medley of "Goin' Home," "Highway to Heaven" and "I'll Fly Away." The latter, especially joined by Chouinard on piano, built into a rip roaring uptempo clapping and sing along finale with the audience and choir. What a joy and what a release of energy Robert Robinson brings to St. Joan's with his extraordinary gift, a voice fully recovered from throat surgery. A wondrous night to come together and become a bridge for the needy and be thankful for our blessings.




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