Acoustic Sketches

Phil Keaggy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow Records
• ASIN: B000006END
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,392 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Metamorphosis

2. Rivulets

3. Nellie's Tune

4. Passing Thought

5. The Marionette

6. Del's Bells

7. Looking Back

8. Paka

9. Spend My Life With You

10. Jam In The Pocket

11. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

12. The 50th

13. Morning Snow

14. Spanish Fantasy

15. On Some Distant Shore

16. Icicles

17. On Second Thought

18. Griegarious

19. Legacy

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

One of contemporary Christian music's founding fathers, Phil Keaggy (remember Glass Harp, '60s music fans?) is also one of its finest musicians. Acoustic Sketches, which won the 1999 Dove Award for best instrumental album, is a testament to Keaggy's long-admired guitar playing. The 19 tracks here allow him to build flowery and intricate variations upon a theme; at times Keaggy's recording nearly shimmers with a magical sound. "Del's Bells" and the end tune, "Legacy," draw admitted comparisons to virtuoso Michael Hedges, while "Nellie's Tune," "Spanish Fantasy," and the moody "On Some Distant Shore" strongly evoke European images. Keaggy fans will also be pleased as he occasionally samples his voluminous body of recorded work, quoting riffs from past sessions. Guitar players of any genre will appreciate the deft skill displayed on Acoustic Sketches. --Michael Lyttle

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Master Guitar Player February 11, 2001

By T. B. Vick

Format:Audio CD

This one of Phil Keaggy's better instrumental pieces. His playing his masterful, smooth, and sometimes unexpected (meaning he does things on the instrument that is not anticipated by the listener). Keaggy can play slow and melodic, or fast and furious.

This CD is a series of acoustic pieces which have a classical, jazzy, soundtrack feel to them. Keaggy's music is filled with energy and vitality. There are moments when he is repetitious, but not in a tedious sense. Just as the title of the CD suggests, Keaggy is painting by music and the acoustic guitar is his brush.

The CD has many different sounds, textures, and styles. As you listen, you can hear the different influences coming out in Keaggy's music. For instance, sometimes the style of Pat Metheny comes through pretty strong. On other tunes, Michael Hedges is present. Nonetheless, Keaggy sounds quite nice on all the songs.

The CD has about an hour or more worth of music, all acoustic, and makes for great listening while reading. If you enjoy guitar work that has a wide range of texture and style then you will love this CD. And if you love this CD, then I suggest getting a copy of Phil Keaggy's CD titled "Beyond Nature." I highly recommend both works.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great acoustic guitar, but not his best September 15, 2000

By Volkert Volkersz

Format:Audio CD

Phil Keaggy is one of the true masters of guitar, and fortunately he has the sense to record his albums around musical themes, whether it's his Beatles influenced Christian pop music (favorably compared to anything McCartney has ever done), or the smooth jazz of "Wind and the Wheat," or high-tension wire electric of "220" (similar to Stevie Ray Vaughn) or his superb acoustic recordings, like this one, influenced by pioneers such as Michael Hedges, Will Ackerman, John Renbourn and Leo Kottke.

Keaggy is one to readily acknowledge his musical influences, but at the same time he makes each creation his own. This recording is a fine example of his acoustic steel string virtuosity, but in my opinion, his 1991 recording "Beyond Nature," is a much tighter recording. "Acoustic Sketches" is an excellent recording, and highly recommended, but the title says it all. These are sketches, and just as it is pleasant to look at sketches by Rembrandt or Leonardo, a completed work is much more polished, and pleasant, and gives you a better idea of what the sketches were for.

Until you can get your hands on "Beyond Nature," by all means, consider getting this one.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm practically speechless!! February 15, 2004

By Molly Bloom

Format:Audio CD

I listened to the last song again and again, completely in awe of this man's talent. I listen and am shocked that I am only listening to one guitar with two hands playing it.

In addition to his fantastic talent, he uses this strange technique of hitting the guitar strings, making use of enharmonics, which always thrills me to pieces as a listener.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing acoustic pieces! February 7, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'd never heard of this artist, and bought the CD on a whim because I enjoy acoustic guitar. WOW! I have not taken this disc out of my player since it arrived. What a range Keaggy has! He can give Billy McLaughlin, Michael Hedges and Pat Metheny (to name a few) a real run for their money. I've heard his vocals (none on this CD) and he sounds a lot like Paul McCartney. Christian music is not my "thing", but this non-denominational collection is a real thing of beauty that you owe to yourself for the relaxtion value alone!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy for any guitarist or guitar lover! May 14, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

The man Eric Clapton called the greatest guitarist on earth once again proves his mastery of the intrument in this instrumental masterpiece. Interesting for a surface listen or as background music. Intoxicatingly complex and beautiful the second you begin to study the structure. A wide variety of styles, with a Keaggy signature, keep it interesting and intriguing from beginning to end.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one I would keep! October 7, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

I have been a Keaggy fan since the early 70's and have tended to be frustrated by his albums.For some reason,although less so these days, Phil has somehow muted the brilliance of his live performances when turning to the studio.While each album has it's shining moments, I always long for a recording that has the feel of those wonderful, amazing concerts. Phil has yet to give us THAT recording however, this is the one that I would recommend to those who wonder who this guy is. While Phil can literally torch a place with the electric ,with this dazzling acoustic collection, you get a feel for the music that most represents the golden heart of one of the finest guitarists EVER!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible guitar magic June 8, 1998

By D. Bowman

Format:Audio CD

This CD captures the amazement of seeing Phil Keaggy live in concert. Phil, for those who don't know, is one of the world's premier guitar players, who can span styles from classical to jazz to hard electric riffs. On this CD, Phil gives us a wide range of acoustic selections, some of which are fully-developed songs, others that are simply ideas in his head. There are not many toe-tapping, vanilla tunes, but every song will make you ask, "How does he do that?" Luckily, the liner notes give us some of the answers to that question. A definite must for Keaggy- and guitar-lovers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Supreme Acoustic Intelligence June 30, 2006

By C. A. Lemley

Format:Audio CD

A box bursting with exquisite riff-candies infused to the max with Segovian proficiency, enharmonics, harmonics and unmatched style. All guitarists should own this. If you pride yourself on acoustical guitar playing and haven't heard these pieces, consider yourself robbed. Mr. Keaggy is one of the, if not the, best acoustical guitarists in the world.