Customer Reviews

Phil Keaggy

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Keaggy subdues his masterful guitar here to take us to a diversity of paces and styles. Keaggy is not famous for his singing, despite his Paul McCartney similarity. However, on so many songs here, he shines.

Phil Keaggy's eponymously named album won't thrill his "Crimson and Blue" or "Sunday's Child" fans, and the fans of his more instrumental work might find this is not the Phil Keaggy they know. A few cuts might grab them, like the opening pop rocker, "A Sing Came Through A Window," which has that "Sunday's Child" beat to it.

On the whole, the album is a mix of neo-celtic tunes, pop and easy listening CCM radio music. There are points at which I wonder if Charlie Peacock or Michael Card were involved, thanks to the unusually solid lyrical stylings presented here.

The title of "Beneath The Blood-Stained Lintel" alone draws poetic imagery. It lyrics are well-sung, as he keeps tempo and rhythm with some difficult to articulate phrasings. Keaggy finds the source of its lyrics in "The Continual Burnt Offerings" by H.A. Ironside.

"Beneath the blood stained lintel I with my children stand.
A messenger of evil Is passing through the land.
There is no other refuge from the destroyer's face.
Beneath the blood stained lintel shall be our hiding place."

"Tender Love" comes off insipidly. His delivery and material lacks much to be excited about. What sounds like what was to be a triumphant anthem results in yesterday's pop sound. He repeats the chorus past its intrigue.

Worthy of note is the quiet "Quite Suddenly," also from Ironside:

"Quite suddenly, it may be in His house I bend my knee,
When a Kingly voice long hoped for
Comes at last to summon me.
And the fellowship of earthlife
That has seemed so passing sweet,
Proves nothing but the shadow of
Our meeting round His feet."

I fully recommend "Phil Keaggy" by Phil Keaggy.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

It has been about 12 years since I found a recording that I enjoyed (almost) as much as this; Peter Gabriel's 'SO'. Phil Keaggy has put forth something original and familiar. The influence of the Beatles is obvious and I swear Paul McCartney is singing on a few of these tracks. The Beatle element is great because Phil borrows and expands at will from their many years of music. I would says this is Phil's Sergeant Pepper (except better!?!) I've never heard Phil's vocal soar like on 'Under the Grace' (hence the Air Supply reference, although I never really liked air supply,hmmm?) and he really rocks on 'Chase the Bad Away'. There are many sweet and well crafted lyrics that express aspects of the Christian Faith. The celtic reel (or is it Jig) 'Beneath Blood-Stained Lintel' is stirring. The guitar work is, as usual, exceptional. Might I add that although Phil can do a lot with the guitar and has shown his great chops on other recordings, he is tastefully restrained in that kind of exhibtionist-look how fast I can play- kind of thing on this CD. I'm a musician and play and listen to lots of music Christian Contemporary and otherwise, and this is the best albumn I've heard in a long long time. (Disclaimer: I was huge Beatles fan, so include this bias in evaluating my review).

"Phil Keaggy" is self-titled and with good reason. This recording represents every aspect of Phil's personality and talent: stellar guitar playing ("A Sign Came Through the Window," "Beneath the Blood-Stained Lintel"); Beatlesque melodies ("Tender Love"), hard-rocking originals ("Chase the Bad Away"), and, most importantly, lyrics that express Phil's innermost feelings and faith ("Under the Grace").

The musicianship on every song on this disc is stellar, and the lyrics serve as a witness to how faith in Christ helps a person to face and transcend any problem that may arise.

The recording, as is usual for Phil's newer discs, is clean and well-balanced.

Standout tracks include the piano-based "Under the Grace" with its soaring chorus and message of hope, "A Sign Came through the Window" with closing harmonics lifted from Phil's live performances, and "Quite Suddenly" with its gorgeous acoustic guitar-based melody. But every song has something to recommend it. This is a very consistent recording.

"Phil Keaggy" is Phil's best disc since his classic "Love Broke Thru". And knowing the quality of Phil's recordings, this is really saying something. Enjoy the music AND the message!

Keaggy is probably the best guitarist in the world, the things he can do with a guitar blow me away. I just love how he uses the looper - his true believers song had me standing with my mouth open! He was one of the musicians that changed the Christian music scene in the late 70's (along with Keith Green and Randy Stonehill).

the thing is keaggy is still bring out great album after great album. The one this year he did with three other, of in my view the best Christian musicians this decade is a phenomenal album ... Songs for Israel ... the music is

amazing. Thank Keaggy for keep on bringing out such great tunes

Phil Keaggy is a name that I've heard for many years, but I've never heard his stuff. So when an audiocassette of this album appeared online for ten cents, I figured that I'd buy it and listen to it in the car on a road trip, to introduce myself to the world of Phil. I have been greatly pleased by that choice.

I can't speak about this album in contrast to any of his dozens of other recordings. But having now listened to it several times through, this one appears to be two parts Beatles, one part Celtic, one part Michael Card, and one part Air Supply, with a dash of Rush. Thankfully, I like all of that stuff, so the combination is very appealing to me. Like Michael W. Smith, Keaggy's strength is obviously not his rather pedestrian voice. But that voice is unique, and his range is remarkable. And it fits well with the style of these songs.

The song-writing was solid, the musicianship was sharp, and the lyrics were significant. I'm happy to recommend this album and look forward to familiarizing myself with more of Keaggy's work.

Phil's playing is excellent, but as another reviewer mentioned, tastefully restrained to fit the material. It's the lyrics and vocals that stand out here...as well as the production. This effort is up there with LOVE BROKE THROUGH as my favorite Keaggy vocal CD/album. For his instrumental work try MASTER AND THE MUSICIAN and BEYOND NATURE.

The frequent comparisons to the Beatles is evident in this CD. Phil displays his skills with a wide range of song writing and vocals. This CD is compares favorably to Beatles masterpieces of the late 60's.

Time will tell, but I suspect this is the best PK album yet. It gets better with every listen. Phil's talent is clearly not of this world!

I would be glad, if anybody could help me to get the fallowing albums by Phil Keaggy: Acoustic Sketches/On The Fly/ Master & Musicians/ Phil keaggy 220/Beyond Nature/ Blue/The Believer/ Way Back Home Unfortunately I cannot buy them with paycard. Maybe someone can help me to get this music in other way. I am 28. I live in Riga (in Latvia - one of the Baltic States). I really enjoy the music of Phil Keaggy. My email_ uldisalpe@gaze.lv God bless You.

This is the same quality Keaggy album that those Phil fans are accustomed to! In this album, Phil sings again--better than any other time throughout his sterling music career. For those that don't know Phil, he's the best acoustic and electric guitar player in the world--I promise! His music writing talent and voice are just as world-class! Buy this CD--you'll love it! More important, it may even change your life.