Playing to a 500 strong audience attendance at the SJA Gym last Sunday evening March 26th, the four opened singing Cole Porter’s standard “True Love.” A tight backup band accompanied them superbly: John Munson on bass; Peter Tomlinson on drums and percussion; Joe Savage on peddle steel player and our own Dan Chouinard on occasional accordion and piano.  

Rue and Johnson took over to cover Gene Pittman’s big hit “Only Love,” a song ideal for Rue’s vocal tenor and his passionate association with performing Pittman’s tunes. Munson’s thumping bass and the cool swooping exchanges between Rue and Johnson’s buttery vocal blend made the intro of Rue’s finely penned “Nothin’ but Time” endearingly tasty. They charmed with a skilled sense of ease right to the finish here. John Prine’s tearful country lullaby “She’s Leaving Home” received an urgent poignancy from Johnson’s vocals and this couple’s assured harmony on the memorable lyrics “teenage lover, unwed mother, kept uncover like some bad dream.” Rue’s 1991 composition “Imagination” brought the band back for some fine playing and all perked up on The Everly Brothers’ classic “Wake up Little Susie,” also featuring fine singing and guitar playing from Rue.  

The Brothers Frantzich, Tim and Paul, have sustained a 20 year singing association producing five recording albums since 2001. Favorites at St. Joan’s for years, these poetic and golden harmonizing brothers are romantic goof ball cutups who bridge their social justice urgency and song writing with old time religious covers. They usually perform profile, singing closely to each other, displaying a unique chemistry that can only be described as spiritually bonding. Heck, they resonate such endearing charm, their appeal is just down right spiritually sexy.

Paul, the younger brother by 3½ years, offered riotous musings regarding their rock and roll yearnings in a Christian household upbringing. “Masters of the art of manipulation,” they convinced their parents they needed a $175.00 guitar from a store that also sold bongs. Doing some Everly Brothers, they softly and sweetly caressed the crowd, Paul supplying equal dosages of vocal fire on the lead verses, with the standard “Let It Be Me.”

Yes, these guys are great cutups. Tim just bought a hybrid Toyota and drolly observed, “I noticed Prius envy from watchers.” The brothers’ tune that followed “Scotsman” oh so subtly ruminates about the lack of underwear worn by a Kilt wearing lad.  

From their 2004 CD release ‘Harmonium,’ these brothers had their own drummer Noah Levy and keyboardist Jeff Victor take over while they performed the great rock infused song “Abraham” featuring a funky peddle steel accompaniment from Savage, the country tinged “Give and Take” where Paul and Tim sharply trade off handling verses, and the moody, reflective “Calcutta,” a song with three vignettes describing lofty contributions from Mother Teresa, Gandhi and MLK. The latter concludes with the inquiry “What do you expect from a journey of love? [Regarding these three greats] You can only bow down.”

Closing the first act, the Frantzich’s along with the regular band lineup both whipped up aural climatic rage on “God on Our Side,” a song shedding light on the evils of war, guns and conquering. Basically, the song prophetically concludes, all “the reasons for fighting, I never got straight.” A rousing crowd pleaser, the band got a well deserved standing ovation.  

Tim, Gary, Pru and Paul—all four singing with the three guys playing guitar—opened the second half of the concert with a zippy rendition of Van Morrison’s classic “Brown Eyed Girl” with Paul leading the way on vocals. The Frantzichs aptly chose to deliver from their 2001 album release ‘Hook ´em, Preach ´em, Set ´em Free’ their whimsical “When Winter Let’s go of Minnesota,” a paen to spring fever with poke-fun banter: “When Mormons start to crawl [and it’s] yard work in the raw.” Savage offered both fine harmonica and pedal steel playing. Also from their ‘Hook ´em’ release, they performed the nifty up-tempo swing out “River of Jordan” with a showy piano solo from Jeff Victor and such infectious beats that a dozen women from the audience began dancing in the open area of stage right.  

Tim said, “Playing in prisons is like playing in holy spaces. Like here, too! Have you guys been to a prison?” They performed the 19th century song “How Can I Keep from Singing,” featuring some tender harmonizing from the two that built to a passionate fury complete with Savage on harmonica and an extended guitar coda.  

Chouinard finally came out from a low key presence this evening offering a twang´y singing duet with Prudence, the corn ball Hank Wangford & Reg Meuros ditty “While You’re Cheatin´On Me, I’m Prayin´ For You” dutifully noting evidence that with some of this gospel music there’s “a sharp divide between Saturday night music and Sunday morning music.” Our favorite piano man tinkled here some catchy honky-tonk playing as well.

From the musical Riding the Rails, Rue and Johnson harmonized effectively with “The Other Side of Green” and the on the Lennon/ McCartney hit “She’s Leaving Home” the two emulated a provocative Simon and Garfunkel like harmony on the chorus. The two poked fun at never achieving success with Rue’s wry “Never Be” composition. These two arresting duos came together for a rocking rendition of the Everly’s “Bye, Bye Love” and the entire lineup closed with folk hero John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

What an exquisite evening, the coming together of two musical couples that bridge harmony, humor and history with their love for humanity. We are all the richer at St. Joan’s with their continuing brilliant musical presence.  

Host Chouinard appreciatively acknowledged the mighty generous efforts contributed from the past year of the SJA Concert Series Volunteer Committee led by Queen of Hospitality Harriet Horner. Co-concert coordinator Anna Vagle extended hearty appreciation at

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.

the beginning of the program of “the thousands of dollars [generated from concert ticket proceeds] to our SJA Care Fund and continued ministries [supported by] justice funds. Gratitude is due also to Doug Lohman for his tireless contributions to superb sound production for the concert series.

Ric Rosow has worn many hats at St. Joan of Arc. He is currently chair of the parish Finance Committee. He has also spoken several times at Sunday Mass and was on the Fellowship of Reconciliation trip to the Middle East in 2003. His wife, Vicki Underland-Rosow, is currently a member of the Pastoral Council.