carmelmik wrote:

ooo. i lile keaggy much better. 

imagine if Michael Hedges had lived to an old age, these two would have bonded and echoed each other.  Beautiful

I was tipping on Leo Kottke

These guys are soo good and tight…………

 Bleyfusz wrote:

He's released 55 albums, someone must like him

 kurtster wrote:

Good thing he didn't come from Seattle!

Technically stunning. Musically bland. 

All right class, today we're going to learn about harmonics.

Phil Keaggy was likely the first concert, of sorts, that I attended. In a Catholic church in Avon Lake, Ohio, back in the late 60's. I wish there was a memory that remains, but alas, no. He was local and probably simply getting any gigs that were available. The sound is distinct. No, I have no Dick Cavett memories to relate.

Been a LONG time since I heard this on RP - the first time I did, I hunted down this album just for this track! While I don't care for Keaggy's Christian music albums, this work stands on its own as a beautiful example of accomplished acoustic/fingerstyle. That much of it was improv on the spot is even more impressive.

Phil ages like fine wine.  Plays like he's playing for the Creator of the Universe! Inspired.

 mardisoninnc wrote:
 
I will have to investigate that suggestion.  I really love this style - he apparently pre-dated Michael Hedges?  Had not heard of him until recently thanks to RP.

Pretty darn good for a guy with only 9 1/2 fingers: He is missing half of the middle finger on his right hand due to an accident at age four involving a water pump

 radiomao wrote:
 

 Proclivities wrote:
 
Poor sheep! Why not try vegan tofu kabobs!? :)

I have heard this a kajillion times on RP and have never looked to see who was playing until just now. Phil Keaggy! That brought me back to my first boyfriend whom I met at church camp when I was 14 and he was 13. We talked a lot about music; I was a total Police fan/Durannie at the time, and he loved Joni Mitchell and Phil Keaggy.

As the years have flown by, I have understood and appreciated my then-boyfriend's love of Joni Mitchell. I'm not gonna lie: I never listened to Phil Keaggy because he was a Christian artist, but I guess that's been my loss over these past 35-ish years.

That's it! Thanks...........

 Kokoloco53 wrote: 
I like the cut of yer jib.  You're doing life right, my friend.

Saw Phil live at my small church in Amherst, Ohio back in 2001-02 (Can't recall the exact date.)  One man show.  Very nice, very talented.

 stunix wrote:

This guy's been around and releasing records much longer than any of those players you mentioned; I'm doubt any of them thought he was "smoke & mirrors".  

 Amaya_Stone wrote: 

 Bleyfusz wrote: 
Agreed. My opinion of music is not normally influenced as when judging Olympic diving, by the degree of difficulty.

The second that I heard the finger tapping, I knew that this was a Phil Keaggy tune.  Nothing beats his 1991 album "Beyond Nature," however.

 stunix wrote: 
So in order to be it's money worth, music has to be complicated? Certainly not a statement I would sign.

Thank you William wow that's good stuff !

Guitar wankery.  I agree with the "clever and boring" observation, as noted below.

Love this guitarrist!... a true and welcome surprise  Thanks!
 

 kurtster wrote: 
Yes! Used to see Glass Harp on a regular basis at Ashland University. So much talent!

I've always enjoyed him as a composer/performer.  Thank you for playing!  

POC ... Pride Of Cleveland.

Bill and Rebecca, thank you for playing Phil Keaggy tonight.
It reminds me of a place and time living in California that I love, and it's a cherished memory.
Thank you again.

This song gets a solid 10 from me.

Im a big fan of percussive guitar such as Mike Hedges, Eric Roache, Ben Lapps, etc, but Im afraid that this gentleman is just smoke and mirrors.   It sounds more complicated than it is and actualy isnt very original at all.   for that, a 4

 ch83575 wrote: 
I tried to like it too — I can hear it is clever but I just find it really boring. 

 pushkinjim wrote:
Thank you for clearing that up. I heard that rumor about 20 years ago and it never sat right with me.

B being false doesn't really diminish Keaggy's skill on the guitar.  

 mread wrote: 
Don't forget Don Ross and Peter Finger (love his name)

So glad to hear Phil Keaggy on RP!  Would love to hear some of the great electric tunes from his "The Master and the Musician" LP like "Agora" or "Follow Me Up" on RP.  I used to drive around town rocking out to those incredible electric guitar compositions when I was a young one - still love that LP today.

Keaggy, Kottke, Hedges (RIP), Emmanuel, Cockburn, . . .

Can't get enough.

Saw Phil live when I was young.  Amazing talent and gentle soul. Thanks RP!

Very nice.

Take yourself three years or so of practice, and if you aren't such a talented picker, there is no chance of copying it! This is ART!

Been too long since Keaggy's been given a spin on RP. I dislike his Christian work (I'm a devout anti-religionist, natch) but his instrumental acoustic work is outstanding and, to me, far more accessible. I love that many of the songs on this album are, by Keaggy's own admission, sketches from his mind (hence the album name), their imperfection and plainness of presentation makes them even more endearing to me.

Wow!  Phil Keaggy on RP!! I'm impressed! A veteran contemporary Christian musician who's guitar playing rivals some of the best in the business. Thanks for adding him here on RP!  

I tried to like it, I really did.  Problem is, its irritating.

 Stingray wrote: 
Poor soul!

Enough-enough - TERRIBLE!!

 kingart wrote: 
Ditto.  Thought it was an MH track I hadn't heard of.

Thought this was either Phil Keaggy or Bruce Cockburn.

no one does that box bashing like Michael Hedges, maybe Eric Roche.......  this is nice thou.

I've never heard of this artist. More musical education courtesy of RP. 

Damn........... listen to this guy play his ass off.

did a what the..for a moment I thought I was hearing some Michael Hedges I missed..
 

 Krimptastic wrote: 
My thoughts entirely!

The guitar reminds me so much of Kaki King, love it.

 Panama_Floyd wrote: 
Seek out the band Glass Harp and you will find the roots of Phil Keaggy.  One of Youngstown, Ohio's contributions to music.  I've never seen Phil live as a solo act, but have seen Glass Harp many times and never saw a bad or disappointing show.  They still go out now and then although I don't know how far away they will play from NE Ohio.

If you get the chance, its a real treat.  Lay back and close your eyes good stuff.

 vaiodon wrote: 

On one of Keaggy's live performances (find it on YouTube) he explained to the audience that this piece was borne out of some improvisational material he pretty much came up with on the spot one day, and he spent a little while on it before deciding to record it. As far as improv goes this is way better than I could manage :D

Very Pretty!  
Thanks Bill&Rebecca

Good stuff!

Instantly recognisable as Phil Keaggy & I'm only familiar with one of his other tracks played here, County Down.

This one does reflect Michael Hedges but it's so disjointed - it just seems to be 3 or 4 pieces.

I'll stick with County Down for now.... 

Oh yes, I discoverd Keaggy here on RP a couple years ago and bought this album, great music to put on in the back yard in the summer while eating lamb chops and asparagus with a glass of cabernet and enjoying the cool summer breeze. Lot's of play time this album gets.

I never appreciated Keaggy, since my first exposure was being forced to play his Christian stuff on Sunday mornings at the little radio station I worked at when I lived in Mississippi.

Hearing a tune like this one, I think I finally understand what my poor unfortunate Christian friends felt the first time I played them Zappa's "Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar". I really don't want to like the guy, but I have to admit the man can play...

Nice, but a little too much of the slapping the strings thing.

snopes

pushkinjim wrote:
 
Well ... I reckon radioparadisehead got all three right: for B., he did say that it was a FACT that LEGEND has it that... etc. So, that B. is LEGEND is ... true.



Anyway, I've been listening to Keaggy since 1970-something. Great artist with staying power.

Phil is great! There's a famous quote from when a reporter asked Jimi Hendrix what is was like being the greatest guitar player in the world and he replied, "I don't know. Ask Phil Keagy."

Are you sure Michael didn't borrow from Phil? The latter isn't still in short pants, you know.

He's actually doing some Michael Hedges honors in this... It's a great homage piece even if it's not intentional.

Popping and rocking and taking me somewhere.

 radioparadisehead wrote: 
Not even going to touch the fact that you called his mother promiscuous after she slept with one guy :)
but I believe it's Kaki King on the August Rush soundtrack.

 Ahnyer_Keester wrote: 

An old girlfriend introduced me to Phil Keaggy back in the '90s. I still like Phil. But her, not so much.

This was playing softly in the background and I thought, "Man, I wish they'd play some Phil Keaggy" Subliminal stuff works. Thanks for playing this and it wouldn't hurt to play more! Especially from Beyond Nature. Beautiful.

I hate August Rush. I wish he had never found his promiscuous mother.

First time hearing this... Oh wow! Nice :)

Check out the full compendium of his stuff... he can do it all... see him in concert too, he is phenomenal!...

Wow, great tune for a cold windy day in southern Arizona. Leo Kottke is great, Phil is beautifully fluid, no?

I thought this was Michael Kelsey.

thought this was michael hedges in the beginning! nice piece.

Thought I'd add a link I just found after I wrote my last comment. It also refutes the rumor, but with a little more logic than just a atatement. https://www.snopes.com/music/artists/keaggy.asp

radioparadisehead wrote: Seems that not all facts are indeed facts. A. True B. Absolutely FALSE (according to Keaggy himself. This is a rumor that has been around for over 25 years, but it is only a rumor - a false one. A real Christian urban legend. C. True

Plinky plonky plinky plonk. Dull. Dull. Dull.

Guitar Virtuoso, Tasteful, Harmonically Inspired

Interesting facts: A. Keaggy is a Christian artist. B. Legend has it that Jimi Hendrix responded with Keaggy's name when asked by Johnny Carson who the best guitarist ever was. C. Keaggy is missing part of a finger.

Thought this was Don Ross, but there is less heavy wood sound to it. Nice.

On_The_Beach wrote: Wanna see some reaaallly baaaaad cover art ?? (click here)

real smooth....10

ploafmaster wrote: Chicken or egg? Hedges's bass management, say on "Aerial Boundaries," is very similar to Keaggy's on this piece. Nice work.

Nice pickin'. Too bad about the cover art.

i've been a Phil fan for awhile now and this is the first time i've heard him on "the radio". Thanks RP. See him live and be amazed !!! Most of his shows are free anyway.

Pretty amazing stuff I have to admit - sounds really great!

darrell711 wrote:You mean your comments?

When I first heard this, my reaction was "Who is this guy? Why haven't I heard of him until now?" I could have gone through life without ever having listened to him. Sobering thought.

amandamustdance wrote: DUDE...Mongrain - saw some clips of him on YouTube...insanely good, especially Air Tap.

peyotecoyote wrote: Well, this album may not predate Hedges, but Phil definitely does...first album in 1973. Maybe this later work took influence from other artists, but it's also possible that Hedges was influenced by Phil Keaggy, too.

He plays one of those really sweet Esteban guitars from the infomercials. You know, the ones you can get for 50 bucks and sound like a pro. Really! Just watch the DVD and we'll hear you on RP.

katzendogs wrote: Yes, I heard Phil w/Glass Harp open a show in Fresno, CA, in the 70's. Don't even remember the headliner that night! It was the 70's ...hehe. They were great. Love the Synergy album!

The skill is amazing, thank you. The chorus' opening phrasing is almost identical to Dire Straits' "The Man's Too Strong."

Nice.

boring boring boring boring! boring.

This reminds me of something I recently heard - music by Erik Mongrain. I highly recommend it too. Perhaps its been played on RP already? Either way - both amazing! :)

some real Michael Hedges influences here..very nice indeed.

Saw him play one time and he really is an amazing guitarist. His hands are effortless in every transition.

He plays even better than Chuck Norris.

Atombender wrote: Because, at some point, even guys like Keaggy and Kottke were beginners. I'm sure they dropped chords and fumbled just like everyone else. Who knows......in years to come, we might see your name here as well.

well, well, didn't someone take a page from the michael hedges school of guitar book. still quite tasty.

Thought this was Kottke. Still good.

crockydile wrote: ... ... Just knew Bill read the Classics! ...

Oh, wow.

I was reading Plato's Dialogues the other day and noticed that he mentions Phil Keaggy as the Ideal guitar player.

messydiner wrote: Listen closely... there is so much variation in this song its crazy.

Arrggh, does it ever end!!! I feel like it's some sort of guitar-plucking equivalent of water torture.

I understand that near the end of the Civil War when a jounalist asked Ulysses S Grant who he felt played the most stirring martial music, he said, without hesitation," Phil Keaggy". Look it up.

Phil Keaggy!!! Awesome.

anyone else out there think quite likeable (7) sounds less enthusiastic than pretty good (6)? How wonderful life would be to sit down with your guitar and make music like this...ahhh

Awesome!!!

When songs like this come on I stare at my guitar in the corner and think "Why even bother?" He is too good. Like it!

i would most definitely not mind hearing more from this artist.

radiomao wrote: I happen to have had the privilege of having lunch with the exceedingly humble Phil Keaggy, and he denies this ever happened.

have good, get give baby arm