Phil's Best Vocal Release since "Find me in theseFields"
Andrew McDavid | The Great Northwest of Oregon | 05/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I must admit that when I purchased this CD I was not expecting a lot. I buy anything Phil records but have allowed his recent "True Believer" and "Keaggy" to slip to the back of my play stack. Each of these past CDs have their high points but lack some kind of continuity. I felt "True Believer" was overproduced and far too...well "poppy". (being the consumate Beatles fan, pop is something Phil can be very good at) I longed for a Keaggy vocal CD that was "unplugged"; as live as he is in concert. Well, "Inseperable" is NOT that CD! But why do I love it? I listened to it 3 or 4 times through one night as I painted my studio, and each time I was drawn into it moodiness, its haunting melodies, and its often sparse instrumentation. There does not seem to be one instrument out of place. Each note has a reason for being there, with just the right amount of empty space. The vocals are not necessarily strong, but instead vulnerable; not out in front of the songs, but as part of the entire mix, expressing some of the most intense emotions a human can have. Few of the songs fit a typical formulaic song mold, and because of this I believe Phil is allowed to do some of his finest creative work, not only with his vocals but with all the varieties of guitar styles used. And is that Phil playing a trumpet solo in "From the Beginning"?As he approaches 50 (!) Phil continues to mature as a Christian and as a musician. I would recommend this CD to anyone looking for thought-provoking, soul-searching, beautiful music that will definitely bring you back for multiple listens."
Phil Keaggy does it again!
Robert Bailey | Arkansas | 11/25/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In one of his most recent music compilations, Phil Keaggy demonstrates his fantastic guitar work. This disc is highly recommended. It's a shame that he is virtually unknown outside of contemporary christian music. Keaggy is eccletic and innovative and utilizes various styles of music and melds them into a style that uniquely his."
Another good one from Phil!
Mike | Labrador City | 04/23/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Most reviews I've heard from fans regarding this cd have not been favorable. I bought it anyway because though I became a Christian over 2 eyars ago it was more than a year before I heard of Phil Keaggy. I already awned Beyond Nature and Phil Keaggy, both VERY different albums. So i didn't know what to expect. What "Inseparable" is, is a mostly solo, sometimes experimental, group of beatiful, complex tunes with excellent, personal lyrics. Yes, there is often a great deal of guitar processing. Phil makes very good use of the Roland GR series guitar synth by the sound of it, as well as Parker Fly guitars. I don't consider this to be "computerized" in the "industrial" sense; it's no different than distortion and wah-pedals in essense, except more complicated. Phil lays back on the flashy guitar stuff for the most part, although there are moments of sheer brilliance. the focus is on diversity and atmosphere, which is at once expansive and intimate. "Chalice" and "Litany to the Spirit" are both melencholy, hopeful tunes that are absolutely BEAUTIFUL; there are many other moments like these two songs on the album such as "Blessed Are" musical adaptation of the Beatitudes of Matthew 5. There are a few really enjoyable, 80's sounding numbers on here too. Being a child of the 80's, I love the drum sounds and the echoey mood of songs like "Motor Of Love", "Real Life", "Carry Me Back", and "Headlines part II." "Real Life" is probably the best song on the whole cd; as with most all the lyrics, Phil joy and happiness through Christ shine through joyfully. The rest of the cd is excellent as well. The guitar tones are consistently brilliant. A worthwhile purchase from a guy who continually strives for better! Amen, and God bless."
It depends on what you're looking for
Chad Davies | Barnesville, GA | 09/10/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I have very mixed emotions about this album. On the one hand, I love many of the ideas on this album; the lyrics of "Chalice", the rhythm of "Real Life", the blues in "From the Beginning". The drawback is that many of the ideas are not fully realized. Many of them, in fact, seemed to me to be pretty raw. Because of this, I have a hard time giving an unqualified recommendation. If you like to see the creative process in progress and are captivated by the ideas that go into a work before it is packaged and polished, you will enjoy this album a lot. If a lack of sparkle, a culling out of what doesn't quite work and a dearth of technical excellence drives you to distraction, then you should avoid this work. One final note: this is probably Phil's best work "theologically" in some ways. I found that the lyrics challenged me more than any of his other albums, continuing and deepening a trend found on Keaggy's self-titled release from a couple of years back."
Not that bad, but not that great either...
jbnadia | USA | 03/18/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Ok, so a few songs on Inseparable have some great guitar and are worth listening, but the others are really just good for listening to while you're eating dinner or have company over. Don't get me wrong, they're OK songs, but the effort as a whole isn't nearly as good as Lights of Madrid or Crimson and Blue. I don't know, maybe all this computer-ized stuff that Phil used on this CD isn't getting through my head. Songs like Real Life give me a headache after a while, with the computerized effects added to the guitar to make it..well...I don't know what Phil was trying to do. Straight guitar will be fine, Phil. On a different view, though, the lyrics of Inseperable are very good, and Phil even covers a Paul McCartney song. All this digitized drums though don't really please my ear as Phil's other stuff with a band, like 220. Not a bad effort by Phil, but it's not great either. I'd say 3 stars would be about right."