Search - Glass Harp :: Hourglass

Glass Harp Shines on

Charlie Read | Davisville, WV USA | 08/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That Glass Harp could release its first new studio album in 31 years is a tribute to the musical magic of this legendary rock trio - and a testimony to the unwavering devotion of its fans. I saw the group's first show at Belpre (Ohio) Skateland in late 1968, and several times before and after they became Decca recording artists. With Decca they released three albums: Glass Harp (1970), Synergy (1971), and It Makes Me Glad (1972). A live album at Carnegie Hall never saw the light of day until its release in 1997. Fans were treated to an incredible reunion show in October 2000 with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, a performance that was released as Glass Harp: Strings Attached the following year.Guitarist Phil Keaggy, drummer John Sferra, and bassist Daniel Pecchio had (and have) that certain synergistic chemistry that seemingly should have propelled the group to the top. Indeed, in the opinion of many, they stole the show from some of the acts they opened for - acts which included the supergroups of the time (Yes, Traffic, Grand Funk Railroad, Ted Nugent and others). However, the plans of man can come to an abrupt halt or detour when divine intervention decrees. Phil's Christian faith led him in a different direction, and for a time Glass Harp was no more.On this long awaited CD, fans old and new can experience the uniqueness of a band too beloved to fade into obscurity.Let me address the only weakness of the album, an opinion which may not be shared by other reviewers. Several of the songs are not as strong and memorable as classic Harp tunes such as "Whatever Life Demands," "Can You See Me," "Sailing on a River," "Never is a Long Time," etc. A majority of the songs are also on the mellow side, which is not necessarily a bad thing - but it takes a few listenings for the individuality of the songs to become apparent. With that out of the way, the virtues of the album far outweigh those minor shortcomings. First, the guys could have overjoyed us with even ten songs - but they "went the extra mile" and gave us 16. Second, the variety in style and instrumentation on Hourglass surpasses what Glass Harp exhibited in its early days. Witness the horns ("My Prayer"), mandolin, MIDI instruments, loops, samples, piano, and organ. Missing are the strings that were added to the first GH album (against the group's wishes, but - in retrospect - not really all that bad).Third, the musicianship of Keaggy, Pecchio, and Sferra is superb. The vocals and instrumentation surpass all expectations (and modern recording technology doesn't hurt either). They absolutely tear it up on the opening track "Seven in a Box" that lets the listener know in no uncertain terms that Glass Harp can still rock with the best.Fourth, the strength of several songs makes the album a "must-have." Along with unexpected and delightfully modern touches, the distinctive Glass Harp elements are still there - the spirituality ("What Matters Most," "I Love All Life," "My Prayer"), the Beatlesque harmonies and arrangements ("If Love is All We've Got"), the jams ("What's in Your Heart"), the distinctive vocals, and - of course - the renowned guitar virtuosity of Phil Keaggy (although John and Daniel shine with equal brilliance).Topping the musical smorgasbord is "You Whisper Something," a song that blends classic pop hooks, one of the strongest melodies on the album, a Byrds-like 60's feel, soaring harmonies, and a catchy lead solo from Phil. You may have a hard time tracking down those early Glass Harp releases, but you can capture the essence on the masterful Live at Carnegie Hall and Strings Attached CDs. Don't miss Hourglass as well: it's a long-awaited treasure that shows the group's musical maturity while staying true to its roots and the magic that made Glass Harp a legend."

Could have been great , but flawed vocals on several songs

Jeffrey Lehman | Market Harborough, UK | 11/19/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It is difficult to write this review, because I am a huge fan of Glass Harp and of Phil Keaggy. I expected to love this album, I wanted to love this album, but some of the songs are painful to listen to.
This album has a lot of excellent songs, but several songs just should not have been included. Listening to the first five songs, I thought to myself that this is one of the best CD's I have heard all year, but when I got to "Eastern Star" my opinion began to change. Eastern Star could have been a good song, but the singer is frequently a bit flat. There are a few other songs which also suffer from the singing, sometimes the backing vocals (such as the otherwise excellent song, "That Way") and sometime the lead vocals. My guess is that they didn't take the time in the studio to do it again and again until they got it right. However it happened, these songs should have been left off the album. These guys are experienced and professional musicians; the CD should never have come out this way.
That said, there are several awesome songs on the album. I am constantly finding myself humming "Everlasting Light", and "Weather Boy" really rocks. But the poorer songs make the album difficult to listen to.
I'm sure these guys have a lot of good songs left in them. Let's hope that next time they have the guts to give us the wheat and leave the chaff on the studio floor."

This "Hourglass" Is Always Full!

M. P. Weil | Nashville, TN | 08/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Hourglass", by the par excellence power trio from Youngstown, OH, GLASS HARP, is everything one could want from the band who had not produced an album of new music in over 30 years. Incorporating styles both rooted in their late-60's to early 70's beginnings (think Beatles, Byrds, Cream) to the myriad rock sounds of today (without going over-the-top techno), this collection of 16 brand-new recordings does not disappoint.The trio -- Phil Keaggy (guitars, vocals), Daniel Pecchio (bass, vocals) and John Sffera (drums, guitar, vocals) -- exhibits a tremendous musical and lyrical maturity. Three-plus decades of living and learning have enhanced what already was an awesome collection of talent.The CD opens with a rock/blues jam, "Seven In A Box", with all three providing the lead vocals in unison over a bedrock of thunderous bass, drums and blistering guitar. Like a roller-coaster ride at a summer park, the band then takes the listener on a wild ride of rock, blues, ballads, stirring guitar solos and lyrics that reach down and touch the heart and soul and keep the blood pumping.Personal favorites from the album include "You Whisper Something", "Image", "Voice of God Call Out" (all Keaggy-penned tunes); "What's In Your Heart", "That Way", "This Is My Prayer"(Dan Pecchio-written, with great, beefy horns backing him up on vocals); "Everlasting Light", "Once a Daydream" (John Sferra, drumming on one and strumming on the other, lead vocals on both).This is not to dismiss the other eight numbers, by any means. In fact, after listening to "Hourglass" just two or three times, you will find yourself humming or singing to almost every song on the album the next day.By a rough estimate, the 31 years since their last album came out meant that over 271,000 hours had passed. With "Hourglass", the time waiting was more than well-worth it."