Customer Reviews

The Wind And The Wheat

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been playing guitar for 31 years and can honestly say I have never heard anyone play in so many different voices in one song, the way Phil Keaggy can and does.

Listen to March of the clouds. In the beginning he starts with a single line, melodic lead which he expands into a rolling, crescendo-ing, over-dubbed double lead. This builds into an explosion of rapid fire, scaling leads that just bring tears to my eyes (I wish could play it, but at least I can feel it!). Then he follows it with gentle volume swells that slowly bring you down as they roll into a classical style of chording and octaves which leads back to the original theme as the song fades. The most incredible facet of this guitar players' expertise is he can reproduce these tones and touches, live. If you can't deal with his christian lyrics, buy this album, as well as "220", "beyond nature", "acoustic sketches", "master & musician", and definitely, definitely a MUST "ON THE FLY".

Sit back and be amazed - you will not believe these recordings are all of the same guitarist.

this cd reminds me of the time i went skydiving, it makes your imagination soar! " march of the clouds", is my favorite song. but still this cd does not compare to seeing phil keaggy in concert. watching phil play is like watching someone worshiping God with a guitar.

I am not Christian.
I am not a guitarist, though I am a professional musician.
I am not a'Keaggyhead'...

But this is, easily one of the best collections of compositions I have ever heard. In particular, and I need to single this one out, 'March of the Clouds' is as perfect a collection of sounds a human being can put together. As a song, it has everything...ethereal imagery, slow gradual volume and tone. Again, it is....well it is my favorite song. I do not listen to New Age in particular - I am well rounded but - I heard this song about 10 years ago...and either a song touches you or it does not....this one reached in me and pulled something out...something only this song can. Buy it. Experience it.

I own several Phil Keaggy CD's/Cassettes/Vinyls...Phil is the type of player that inspires other guitar players. This particular CD is truly wonderful and fascinating! Please Please, judge for yourself! Go check it out from your local library, and I'd bet that you'll want to purchase a copy of your own. If incredible leads and copositions are your taste, This IS a must own!!

This CD is derivative of the whole instrumental Windham Hill mood that was popular during the late 1980's and Phil Keaggy tells us how it should have been done.

His guitar work is brilliant as usual but his arrangements on this album are pure beauty. My favorite piece, "I love you Lord," is simply the most beautiful instrumental praise music I have ever heard.

It's no mistake, I think, that the cover design is reminiscent of 80's Windham Hill releases. Keaggy here moves away from his pop stylings into a deeper, richer and more complex level (it is also much more accomplished and moving than any of the new age noodling that WH loved to put out).

This all-instrumental recording shows Keaggy's enormous teachnical skills, but more than that, it shows how he can make a guitar sing. You can listen to this and be drawn into the joy and majesty and sheer emotional power of it, or you can stay back a step and think, "How the heck can ANYONE play all those notes!"

For people who have avoided Keaggy because of his Christian content, this is a perfect place to discover his enormous musical gift. This is great stuff.

This album has been my sanctuary since I first bought it in 1987. My primary musical taste is (classic)Heavy Metal, but when I'm stressed or just wanting to relax with something opposite of the aggressive music I like, "The Wind and The Wheat" really hits the spot. The album is very strong on melody and Keaggy's guitar playing is flawless. I was going to list my faves, but I couldn't stick to just a couple. I'll just say most of the CD is great, if what you're after is something peaceful to enjoy & "get lost in". One of the real stand-outs is the tune "I Love You Lord". It is an instrumental version of the vocal worship song that goes "I love you Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, Oh my soul rejoice. . ." The CD is a collection of songs that blend acoustic & electric guitar, along with keyes, synth and some percussion. It is well produced, so you're not going to find a single song that is "raw" in the production sense.
If you want to hear Keaggy shredding, this isn't the CD for you (although he does in a couple of spots). But if you want to hear mastery of Joyful, Peaceful, Melodic playing, I highly recommend "The Wind and The Wheat."
PS: The only down side is that the original release had a CD sleeve that contained very cool descriptions of what he was thinking or imagining when he wrote each song, but the sleeve in the new one I just got through Amazon was just blank inside. I guess the record company wanted to save some $$ on printing. Don't let that one thing keep you from buying the CD though. It's still great.

Phil Keaggy is my favorite artist. Not only because I play guitar. Not only because we are both believers. Simply because he is so versatile, so musical and loves what he does. The Wind and the Wheat is a classic in instrumental music. It transcends time in that it is hard to tell what era it came from. If you are looking for a easy listening instrumental piece that is strong in great guitar work and lush textures that take you places, this would be a great pick to add to your collection. I highly recommend it!

I first heard this CD on vinyl when I was a teenager. It was my introduction to the new age sound. I have not heard many other artists that can weave sounds together into a seamless fabric like Phil Keaggy.

By the way, Cheri Keaggy is not Phil's Daughter. She is married to his nephew.

I am not all that knowledgable about Phil Keaggy, but I really like this album. It sort of sounds like a cross of rock, classical, new age (only better!). A great instrumental album. (By the way, go check out his daughters stuff, I REALLY LOVE Cheri Keaggy!!)