Concert Review for CCM Magazine

John Fischer and Noel Paul Stookey

Wheaton College, October 21, 1993

(Originally Published by CCM in 1994)

 

There are certain events that you just know are not likely to ever happen again. October 21, 1993, was one such night.

 

John Fischer, who graduated from Wheaton College 22 years ago, was invited back to the campus last fall to be the distinguished Stayley lecturer. Basically, he spoke at several of the school’s chapel services, had a few lectures for the graduate students, and wrapped up his stay at the college with a very special evening. In a theater with no more than 500 seats, Fischer and his friend and musical compatriot, Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul, and Mary_ performed a very special concert celebrating the release of Saint Ben, Fischer’s first novel.

 

Fischer began the festivities with a 20-minute acoustic set of his most popular songs. After admitting that “Most good John Fischer songs end up at camps,” he went into an infectious number called “Look All Around You.” Next was the perennial campfire favorite, “Lord Of The Dance,” which became a singalong almost as soon as it began. Despite the song’s age, Fischer performed it with such spirit and sincerity that it became clear why it was a classic. Other highlights of his set included “(Have You Seen) Jesus My Lord?” and the Joni Mitchell favorite “Big Yellow Taxi.”

 

After a brief introduction, Noel Paul Stookey emerged from backstage with a characteristically odd-looking 12-string guitar. The wedding song that wont go away, “There Is Love” kicked off his set. The fact that fame does not negate a song;’s validity was reiterated when he performed “Puff the Magic Dragon.” Once and for all he denied that “Puff” had anything to do with drug use. “One Newsweek article purports an incorrect story and 20 years later the rumor still spreads,” was the final comment on the matter.” Following was a hysterical new song he titled “Confessions of an Aging Rock Star.” Songs like that one really make us want a new Stookey album.

 

It was good to see both of these performers in top form and enjoying themselves immensely. However, the real attraction began after the intermission when the two troubadours reclaimed their places on stage together. After a brilliant performance of “Right Field,” a charming story of a 10-year-old boy’s fateful baseball game, Stookey read a passage from the book describing young Ben’s attachment to the Edsel automobile. It was clear from that moment on that Fischer is a very talented novelist. The conversations between Ben and the narrator were written and spoken with the tone of experience. Fischer and Stookey took turns playing the songs and reading passages. Some of the songs sprinkled between the experts were “Morning has Broken,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Danny’s Downs,” and the Peter, Paul, and Mary standard “Day is Done to close the show.

 

This was truly a creative and unique presentation of a wonderful new book and two incredibly talented musicians. It was a very entertaining and emotional evening combining tried and true classics with innovative and quite visionary new discoveries. Although there are no plans to tour this event, reading Saint Ben in front of a warm fireplace with a few Fischer and Stookey albums ready on the stereo might help recreate at least part of the evening.

• John J. Thompson (copyright CCM Magazine 1994)

Hear JJT’s 2025 Conversation with John Fischer on the True Tunes Podcast! 

 

NOTE: JJT was the “Rock News Editor” for CCM for several years in the early 200os and contributed several feature articles to the publication, including interviews with Relient K, Robert Randolph, needtoBreathe, Jonas Brothers and others. John Fischer wrote a regular commentary article for the magazine throughout the 1980s and 90s. CCM Magazine was recently acquired by Logan and Amanda Sekulow in a bid to bring the brand back. For more information head to https://www.ccmmagazine.com/ and follow the action.