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Post by Josh on Jun 25, 2009 11:55:13 GMT -8
Any Phil Keaggy fans out there? He's another favorite of mine. Here's a quick overview of his music: During a career that has spanned over four decades, Phil Keaggy has carved out a unique niche for himself in both the contemporary Christian and mainstream pop music worlds. His virtuosity on guitar has earned him wide admiration among aficionados of the instrument. It might be argued that his audience would be larger if his exceptional talents were applied to making records for a secular market. Nevertheless, Keaggy has remained true to his spiritual focus ever since becoming a solo artist, stretching the boundaries of Christian music over the course of some 26 albums.
Keaggy's mastery of the guitar transcends categories, Christian or otherwise. His acoustic playing is particularly fluent, utilizing unusual open tunings and deft fingerpicking. As his career has progressed, he has incorporated sampling and layering effects to extend his capabilities in concert. There are flashes of classic folk, baroque and jazz fusion in his approach that, taken together, make his style distinctly his own. As a songwriter, Keaggy has taken melodic inspiration from the Beatles and other secular pop/rock artists, as well as from Irish and American folk sources. His lyrics, rooted in Christian themes and Biblical references, touch upon spiritual struggles with a positive emphasis.from Barry Alfonso and Sarah Parkin I've been into Keaggy since the late 1980s. I'll post a few mini-reviews of some of my favorite Keaggy albums, but if you haven't ever seen him live in concert, and you're at all interested in guitar, then you've got to put that on your list of things to do before you die, just because he's that phenomenal.
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Post by Margot on Jun 25, 2009 23:56:16 GMT -8
Josh: Ever heard the old Eric Clapton-Phil Keaggy story?
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Post by Josh on Jun 26, 2009 9:31:56 GMT -8
Yes, I believe it has been debunked. It was also said of various other guitar luminaries.
However, that doesn't diminish the truth of the sentiment! ;D
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Post by Josh on Jun 26, 2009 9:42:21 GMT -8
OK, favorite studio/ vocal albums (he's got a ton of instrumental albums as well): Crimson and Blue, 1993Keaggy's best, hands down, imo. The whole album, every song, rocks! Again, very Beatles/ Badfinger- esque. A definite must in the CD collection. Phil Keaggy and Sunday's Child, 1988The album that introduced me to Keaggy. Great Beatles-esque classic rock (I think they even used one of Ringo's drum kits), smart lyrics, Randy Stonehill makes an appearance. Find Me in These Fields, 1990Mellower but still Beatles-esque. Great guitar work. Moody. A great album for the Fall. Honorable mention, with several great songs: Phil Keaggy, selftitled, 1998 Inseparable, 2000Other albums of his (and there are too many to count) have excellent songs here and there, but these are the ones to start with for sure.
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Post by Josh on Jun 29, 2009 10:01:22 GMT -8
A new recommendation! It's the new Keaggy/ Stonehill joint venture album: Mystery Highway, 2009This album basically combines the best of Phil Keaggy and Randy Stonehill's various talents. It's got a very Beatles meets Badfinger feel (akin to Keaggy's Crimson and Blue). It's a very fun and witty album as well. In addition to 10 new tunes, it features a great rendition of Mark Heard's "Love is Not the Only Thing", a great remix of "Sunday's Child", and a hilarious tribute to Keaggy entitled "Rockman". I'd give it 4 1/2 stars! I've been listening to it all week. If you can find it, get it!
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ryan
Advanced Member
Advanced Member
Posts: 92
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Post by ryan on Jun 30, 2009 21:50:06 GMT -8
Absolute favorite is Master and the Musician. I was hoping a couple of his other instrumentals would have the same classical sonic tonal quality, but falls short (for me).
Crimson and Blue was my first real exposure to Phil Keaggy. I love it. Unfortunately, my cassette won't play anymore and I have to settle on tracks from the Blue ep.
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Post by Josh on Jul 9, 2009 0:48:51 GMT -8
Listening to Addison's Walk from Beyond Nature at Steve's. That's probably my favorite instrumental Keaggy album.
Also, I've had these line from Mystery Highway rolling through my brain this whole trip:
"Here come tomorrow, here come tomorrow Riding on the breath of God"
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Post by michelle on Nov 25, 2009 7:31:07 GMT -8
I keep reading Mystery Highway being called Beatles-esque, but it sounds more like ZZ Top to me (at least the faster songs).
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Post by Margot on Nov 25, 2009 8:10:55 GMT -8
I'd give it 4 1/2 stars! I've been listening to it all week. If you can find it, get it! S-h-h-h don't tell Paul! Sounds to me like a Christmas gift looking for a place to happen
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Post by Kirby on Nov 25, 2009 14:54:05 GMT -8
Glass Harp rocks. Their Live! at Carnigie Hall album is amazing. Glass Harp is comprised of a young Keaggy, John Sferra, and Daniel Pecchio.
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