Search - Phil Keaggy :: Phil Keaggy

Another Gem in a Canon of Masterpieces

A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com | 12/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""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!"

Intelligent, Poetic Lyrics

A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com | Glen Ellyn, IL USA | 06/05/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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"