Customer Reviews

Acoustic Sketches

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

Load this CD along with Beyond Nature, In The Quiet Hours, and Lights of Madrid on your iPod playlist, and enjoy a very relaxing sleep. Great music to sleep, study, or relax by. As I've said before, you can't go wrong with these or any of Phil's work.

In his comments on each tune, Phil Keaggy begins by referring to these pieces as "loose sketches," and for the most part that's what they are; not necessarily fully realized songs, but simply sketches. But these are wonderful sketches, to be sure. Listen to the classical influences of "Rivulets," Michael Hedges tapping style on "Del's Bells," the Chet Atkins-inspired picking on "Paka," the bluesy funk of "Jam in the Pocket," and the haunting "Legacy."

On most of the tracks, it's simply Keaggy and his guitar (or accasionally accompanying himself), but on the spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" he is joined by a second guitarist on slide guitar and a tuba(!) player to marvelous effect.

All told, this is a very enjoyable album, and perhaps my favorite Phil Keaggy CD. [Running Time - 63:20] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This work is an extention of Keaggy's Backroom Tracks that were once available on his fan run website. These pieces are what I think of polished works in progress. Some are just fragments of musical thoughts while others are full fledged musical ideas that are well developed. All of the works are well produced with a clean sound.

Guitar players and Keaggy fans will find this work fascinating as they are allowed a good look into Keaggy's creative process. The artistry is excellent and the guitar work is technically brilliant. Those who are not big fans of the acoustic guitar will still find this album to be a wonderful representation of the versitility of the instrument.

I loved this album and recommend its purchase to anyone looking to explore new musical horizons.