"I wasn't prepared to still be emotionally drained a day after Russell Crowe's passion packed performance at the San Diego's House of Blues concert Wednesday night. No warning was issued that each song contained heartfelt lyrics that would leave a lasting effect on everyone there. I should have known since the title to his latest album, "My Hand, My Heart" is exactly what Crowe and his high octane band "The Ordinary Fear of God" would be unleashing on his faithful subjects. For me it was more of a new-age spiritual revival with hundreds of arm waving parishioners with only an occasional reminder that Russell is still the original bad boy.

At one point the crowds roar came to a standstill as Russ revealed the next song was based on a personal family tragedy that he bravely detailed. The next moment with guitar in hand he was raising the roof with his version of "Folsom Prison" by Johnny Cash.

The two hour plus jam was well organized and tight with each member of the Seven piece band hitting their mark behind Crowe's surprisingly good vocals.

After the show I waited another two hours with a hundred others with the hope of getting some photos and autographs. Russell would not disappoint us fulfilling everyone's request including my two new female friends Barbara and Beatrice who, not only traveled the globe following Crowe's concert and TV performances, but were big fans of Mary's "Murphsplace.Com" where my Seven tribute pages from the Master and Commander set were featured for years. My greatest regret was spending money on that last long island iced tea which left me short on cash to purchase the 10 dollar "My Hand My Heart" CD. My greatest hope is to be in part 2 of MC so I can bring more images to murphsplace."

Cheers Mike Orrell

Above - Barbara and Russ

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