True Believer

Phil Keaggy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow Records
• ASIN: B000005KXD
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,095 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

# 1. The True Believers # 2. Wild Heart # 3. Only You (Can Wash My Sins Away) # 4. Salvation Army Band # 5. Don't Let Go Of My Heart # 6. Son Of Man # 7. And On That Day # 8. Be Thou My Vision # 9. Have Mercy Lord # 10.The Survivor

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great writing, great production, great guitar playing, November 22, 2003

By 

Robert M. Hardister (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: True Believer (Audio CD)

I was surprised to see unfavorable reviews on this album by Keaggy fans. I am a long time music aficionado, espicially in guitar and creative composition/production. My view is that Keaggy was exploring the full range of rock music production and doing it as well or better than Rundgren and McCartney. The icing on cake is his unmatched guitar playing, which sounds totally hard-wired into his soul. Perhaps it's this "full throttle" approach that some are not comfortable with. I can listen to these songs over and over and find different and new subtleties to appreciate. My recommendation is "turn it up!"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth Another Look, April 9, 2005

By 

A. McDavid "Have Guitar, Will Play" (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: True Believer (Audio CD)

At the time this recording originally came out I was expecting something different from Phil. Or maybe I was in a different place musically, whatever, it didn't take ahold of me. I could say the same thing for "Invention", the great one-time collaboration with Scott Dente, Wes King, and Phil. And like that revording I have come back for another visit, after years have past.
I am listening as I type, and can't help thinking this REALLY was the CD Phil wanted to make. I believe it must be dear to his heart, for I can hear his passions show through.
His passion for the Lord, his passion for the unborn (note that he credits his son, Ian Keaggy, with "Heartbeat"), his passion to see other believers mature, and his obvious passion for the guitar.

What I see as the CD's weaknesses.
It truly could be longer, maybe a little more intrumental "open land" for Phil to stretch. As far as the production, it's a little more "produced" than some of Phil's other work. (That's not necessarily a bad thing.)

What I see as this CD's strengths.
Phil's voice sounds great. I recall reading Phil's comments about this CD before it was released. He felt that the producer, Alan Shacklock, was helping him to find different vocal treatments for the material. At times I stop and hear what he meant, when I don't totally recognize Phil's voice.

The guitar work is mostly well-showcased within the production, and exceptional, as we've come to expect from one of the greatest living guitarists. (listen to "Wild Heart" and "Salvation Army Band" for trademark, soaring Keaggy)

The songwriting is very good. Interestingly, only two songs claim soul writing credit as Phil. (the beautiful, George Harrison? Beatlesgue "Son of Man" and the earlier "The Survivor") A couple he co-wrote, and the majority seems to be by producer Shacklock. Maybe there is the secret why this CD sounds "different". If so, Phil sounds quite comfortable singing the lyrics of others.

All in all, this CD is worth keeping in my Keaggy collection, and as I said, definitely worth another look.

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Performances, March 12, 2002

By 

"alan5420" (Jacksonville) - See all my reviews

This review is from: True Believer (Audio CD)

I have been huge fan of Phil Keaggy's since Sunday's Child, and I think this was one of his best vocal (different catagory than his instrumental albums) albums to date. He stretched out with on the title track and added a spine tingling orchestral background to his powerful guitars and overdubbed lyrics. He reaches into new sounds with "Salvation Army Band" while still maintaining his grungier side with "Have Mercy Lord." The remake of his song "The Survivor" probably my favorite Keaggy song ever. The reviewers that gave this album one star have no idea what they're talking about.