Conference mr1pst::music

                 <<< ATLANA::DUB1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]CCM.NOTE;8 >>>
                       -< Contemporary Christian Music >-
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Note 23.136                        Phil Keaggy                        136 of 189
PNO::HEISER "Thomas McRocklin's teacher"             60 lines  11-MAR-1991 09:19
                               -< Keaggy update >-
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    I accidentally let my Club newsletter expire last year.  I just renewed
    it and received the latest newsletter over the weekend.  It seems Phil
    has been pretty busy so I haven't missed any issues.  It should also be
    noted that they have moved.  The Club address is now:
    
    Phil Keaggy Club
    P.O. Box 15357
    Chesapeake, VA  23328-5357
    
    Lots of new news in this issue!  "Find Me in These Fields" was
    nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rock/Contemporary category.  Other
    nominations were Petra - Beyond Belief (the winner), Mylon - Crank it
    Up, Eddie DeGarmo - Phase II, and Charlie Peacock - Secret of Time.
    Phil said of the nomination, "I was taken by surprise because I don't
    see myself having that level of acceptance.  I've always seen myself on
    the periphery.  It's an honor and I'm thankful to those who voted for
    me."
    
    The new issue show Phil and Paul McCartney jamming on acoustics together 
    at his (Paul's) sister-in-laws wedding.  He talks about what a thrill it 
    was to meet and play with his main musical influence.  Paul said he sounded
    like James Taylor.  Probably because he sang Two of You, Here and Now,
    What a Wonder, and I Love You Lord (instrumental) at the wedding.  I
    guess Laura (Linda's sister) and her husband are devout Christians.
    
    Phil talks about the new instrumental album, "Beyond Nature", which
    will be out next month.  Sounds like a real interesting piece of work.
    
    Some new products available thru the club:
    
    - Backroom Trax 3 will be available starting next month.  Cost is $10.
      For the same cost, you can reserve your copy of "Beyond Nature".
    
    - The new songbook is also ready for order now.  There are 25 songs in 
      this book including: Be in My Heart, Calling You, Cherish the Moment, 
      Find Me in These Fields, Full Circle, Happy, Here and Now, I Will Be 
      There, Little Ones, Love Broke Thru, Maker of the Universe, March of the
      Clouds, Morning Light, Pilgrim's Flight, Prayer, The Reunion, Spend My
      Life With You, Strong Tower, Sunday's Child, Time, Tell Me How You
      Feel, The Two of You, When the Wild Winds Blow...  cost is $10.
    
    Finally, some tour dates that were supplied.  I have the phone numbers
    if you need more info on a particular appearance.
    
    3/23 New York, NY
    3/24 Merrillville, IN
    
    4/6  Goshen, IN
    4/12 Monroe, MI
    4/13 Middlebury, VT
    4/14 Tonawanda, NY
    4/20 Boulder, CO
    4/21 Denver, CO
    
    5/25 Marco Is., FL
    
    7/4-5 Bedford, TX
    
    9/6 Roseville, MN
    9/20 New Castle, DE

                 <<< ATLANA::DUB1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]CCM.NOTE;8 >>>
                       -< Contemporary Christian Music >-
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Note 23.173                        Phil Keaggy                        173 of 189
HAVASU::HEISER "like lightning falling from heaven"  48 lines  19-JUL-1991 11:45
                           -< Beyond Nature review >-
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CCM Album Review: Phil Keaggy - "Beyond Nature", Myrrh Records
--------------------------------------------------------------

[it should be noted that fellow guitarist, Billy Crockett, did this
  review.]

Let's say you're a brilliant musician like Phil Keaggy.  You've devoted
your music to communicating something truthful about the heart of God to
people.  Why would you make a series of instrumental albums?  And what
would people with some kind of Christian experience expect to receive
through a project with no lyrics?  Why do it - because Christians have run
out of words?  Probably not.  Because we've misused our words?  Maybe.

Okay, maybe Keaggy doesn't have this personal agenda.  Maybe he makes a
remarkable album like this one simply because he can.  Well, here't to
innocence; all the more reason to celebrate.  On his newest, "Beyond
Nature", Keaggy and his acoustic guitars - with a charming touch or two of
strings, winds and light percussion - dance and whisper and wind their way
through mysteries unspeakable.

Picture Keaggy walking alone in two of his favorite places, The English and
Irish countryside, with the writing of C.S. Lewis and the compositions of
Claude Debussy hanging in the damp air.  Now you have the subtext for a
recording that reaches across the oceans, back in time and yet is purely
Keaggy as we could wish.

"I Feel the Winds of God Today", is an old British folk tune, now a hymn.
Keaggy has textured it with five different parts and has captured the
timelessness and sure-handed hope of the melody.

A terrific surprise is the rendering of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg's
"Symphonic Dances" (second movement).  This is as melodic and lovely as it
can be.  The remainder of the project is filled with Keaggy compositions,
of which "As Warm as Tears/A Place of Springs", is as compellingly tender
as its title.  Now imagine that "When Night Falls" is an arrangement that
unfolded from the depth of the man's heart and talent as the tape was
rolling!  Here is gentleness and virtuosity proving they belong together.

Some players call their guitars "axes".  Weapons for battle.  But I'll bet
for Keaggy, an acoustic guitar is not something to be wielded (like an axe)
in self defense or in aggression.  Nothing and no one in this music gets
chopped up or cut down.

Keaggy quite simply has a touch.  That's how the Spanish say it - "tocar la
guitarra" - to "touch" the guitar.  Not play.  And you notice the
instrument is regarded as feminine.  There she is.  Wood and glue, braced
and breathing, warm and alive in the arms of - the player?  No.  The lover?
Yes - the one with the touch.  And every moment a discovery.

                 <<< ATLANA::DUB1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]CCM.NOTE;8 >>>
                       -< Contemporary Christian Music >-
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Note 23.169                        Phil Keaggy                        169 of 189
HAVASU::HEISER "house of stairs"                    121 lines  25-JUN-1991 12:30
                              -< nice interview! >-
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Phil Keaggy Beyond Words (CCM, July 1991)
-----------------------------------------

Phil Keaggy's abilities on the guitar have been nothing short of legendary
ever since the rumor mill buzzed about his conversion in the '70s, when he
played with an eclectic trio called Glass Harp.  Fans have praised his
innovative approach and technique, relishing in everything from 30-second
solos on his vocal albums, to extended instrumental pieces like those found
on "The Master & The Musician" and "The Wind and The Wheat".  Keaggy's new
instrumental collection, "Beyond Nature", is similar in mood to those
earlier records, but fully acoustic and more affected by outside influences
than before.

Keaggy, who turned 40 this year, was as mellow-mooded as his new music when
managing editor Thom Granger interviewed his at his favorite Irish
restaurant.

CCM. "Beyond Nature" seems to have a bit of a Celtic feel to it overall.  Was
that an intentional theme for the album?

PK. I think it's more what you are in your entirety, what you take in from
all sources, that figures in to your output.  I was reading a lot of
English literature and listening to a lot of Irish and English music; but
also a lot of impressionistic music, which inspired ides for "Brother
Jack".  That's probably one of my favorite pieces on the album, maybe
because it's not in a hurry to go anywhere.  The first four notes of it are
the same as "Frere Jacque" - which is French for "brother Jack" of course.

CCM. I guess it wasn't a surprise to see you cover a composition by Edvard
Grieg ("Symphonic Dance").  I remember how you used to quote his "In the
Hall of the Mountain King" in extended solos, like the one on the 2nd
Chapter of Acts' live album ("How the West was Won").

PK. Yeah.  There's another one I found that is absolutely lovely by Grieg
called "In the Cradle", and if I do another album in this genre I'd like to
record it too.  His melodies take you somewhere.  That's what I'm trying to
accomplish with "Beyond Nature".  It's not about strong finger picking and
acoustic technique.  It centers on melodies you can really sink your teeth
into.

CCM. Do you accept the notion that some melodies seem to come from
somewhere else - almost as though they always existed, and when you tap
into them as you're writing or hearing them played by someone else, you
sense you've always known it?

PK. Everything's borrowed, and everything's given.  As Ecclesiastes said,
"There's nothing new under the sun."  Combine that with the idea that God
has allowed us to borrow his very breath; and we have this relatively small
variety of notes that we juggle around to make what we call music, combined
with the pulse or rhythm.  The notes were given by God and we've been
borrowing it ever since.  It's just a privilege to be a part of all that.

CCM. There are more reference points than I've ever noticed before on this
album to both some of you own earlier tunes, and some pretty direct "tips
of the hat" to other players.

PK. It's true, it's all true!  The phrase that opens "In the Light of
Common Day" is from the intro to The Beatles' "I'm Looking Through You",
and the connecting phrase in there is from "Songs in the Air", and old
Glass Harp tune.  "Fragile Forest" fades in with the picking pattern from
"I Will Sing", the last track on "What A Day".  And "When Night Falls"
(which was more or less improvised with the tape rolling, and servers as a
coda to the album) sounds a bit like "Gentle Eyes" from "Emerging".

CCM. I hear some phrases that remind me of Bruce Cockburn as well.  Like in
"Country Down", which sounds like his early tune "One Day I Walk" and on
"Fragile Forest", which sounds like his instrumental from "Dancing in the
Dragon's Jaws", "Badlands Incident".

PK. You're right about "Country Down", but on "Fragile Forest", it wasn't
intentional.  I probably did it because I'm such a Cockburn fan.  We both
played at Greenbelt in England one year, and the highlight for me wasn't
the mainstage band thing I did, but when I did 20 minutes with my acoustic,
and found out that Cockburn had been out front listening.  I also love
Michael Hedges, who is very much a virtuoso player.  I'm more of a
jack-of-all-trades, but both of those guys have definitely influenced me.

CCM. What guitars did you use on the album?

PK. I used two James Olson steel-string guitars.  One I helped design in
1984, with a cedar top, Brazilian rosewood sides and a wide, flat neck.
It's a smaller sized cutaway, and I've always felt very comfortable with
it.  The other was built for me as a backup, with a wider body and a little
deeper sound.  I actually used it on about 70% of the album, with the other
one used for "Addison's Walk", where I made use of harmonics (and the
harmonics on that guitar are stupendous), and also on "Brother Jack".

James Olson in my opinion is one of the finest guitar luthiers in the
world, and I'm fortunate to own two of his instruments.  James Taylor owns
three of them, and now Paul McCartney has one as well, since James [Olsen]
gave him one via my hands, when we met recently at a wedding I played at.

CCM. You use the volume-swell effects on electric guitar for "I Feel the Winds
of God Today" here.  I can't remember ever hearing anyone do that before
you in Glass Harp.  Did you originate that effect?

PK. The first time I ever saw anyone stick their pinky out on a Les Paul
was the guitarist for the old Lovin' Spoonful, Zal Yanovsky, on "Daydream",
where he swelled the chords.  But as a lead technique, I think myself and a
few other players were probably experimenting with it simultaneously.  You
can't do it with just any guitar, though.

CCM. Finally, regardless of the beauty of your work on acoustic based
albums like "Beyond Nature" and "Master and the Musician", there is still
an adamant contingency of critics and fans that are yearning for you to
really open up on electric guitar, with extended soloing and the like.  Is
that something you'll ever do again?

PK. The thing is, I've got to come to a point where I'm free to do that.
Remember, I'm signed to a Christian label, and I've doen interviews where
I've more or less had to defend doing instrumental music of the type on
"Beyond Nature".  I can tell you this - my next vocal album is going to be
more like my old band Glass Harp should have been.  It will be a trio
record - guitar, bass, and drums - with more of a vintage feel.  Fat guitar
tones, very unprocessed sounding.  The music will be based on phrase hooks,
an English blues-rock vibe, crafted with as much space around the music as
"Beyond Nature" has, because I'm finding that the silent parts are as much
an integral part of music as the notes played.  One of the things that
bothers me about synthesized music is that in covering so much of the sonic
spectrum, it eats up a lot of the space.  So there will be a lot of room
for juicy, tonal solos, and if it gets good and intense, great.

For those of you who have heard his albums and have not seen him live - well
you havent heard the best of Keaggy. He really cuts it loose live.

As per the latest mailing from the "Keaggy Club" here is Phil's touring
schedule for 1992...

  DATE    CITY              PLACE                  FOR MORE INFO CONTACT

  Feb  1  San Diego, CA     Pt. Loma College       Mary Krell     619-224-3630
  Feb  7  Columbia, SC      Col. Bible College     Jay Morgan     803-754-4100
  Feb  9  Crystal, MN       Church of Open Door    Dan Adler      612-537-4495
  Feb 21  Haggerstown, MD   Great Hand Productions Roy Craig      301-739-1872
  Feb 22  Champaign, IL     Vinyard Christian      Eric Benneett  217-344-0540
  Feb 23  Veinna, VA        Christian Fellowship   Kelly Schroeder703-759-4210
  Feb 29  E. Orange, NJ     WFMU Radio             George Flores  201-762-0995
  Mar  7  Toronto, CA       Kingdom Bound          Fred Caserta   716-689-0614
  Mar  8  Williamsville, NY Kingdom Bound          Fred Caserta   716-689-0614
  Mar 21  Denver, CO        Road Home Productions  Rob Marshall   303-693-4111
  Mar 22  Denver, CO        Road Home Productions  Rob Marshall   303-693-4111
  Mar 27  Steubenville, OH  Fran. University       Beth Lewis     614-283-6343
  Apr  4  Ashland, OH       Right to Life/Ashland  Kyle Robbins   419-281-2132
  Apr 17  Chattanooga, TN   Chat. Res. Foundation  Doug Dougherty 615-756-0410
  Apr 25  Tyler, TX         Youth With A Mission   Jeff Howie     903-882-5591
  May  1  Columbus, OH      Grace Brethren College Susan Zartman  614-431-8221
  May  2  Greenville, IL    Agape '92              R Whittenbarger619-664-1840
  May 31  Lemon Grove, CA   Skyline Wesleyan Ch.   Tim Elmore     619-460-5000
  Jun 27  Lancaster, PA     Creation Festival      Tim Landis     717-293-4254
  Sep 12  Butler, PA        Butler H.S. Auditorium Lee Mohn       214-661-1254

To book Phil Keaggy for a concert contact: Street Level Artists agency
                                           (219)269-3413

To join the "Keaggy Club": Send $10.00 for a 1 year membership to

                           Keaggy Club
                           P.O. Box 15357
                           Chesapeake, VA
                           23328-5357

As a member you will recieve a quarterly newsletter and you will be able to
buy some Keaggy recordings not available in stores. His CD's/cassettes are
all available at a discounted rate thru the club.

     ____________________________________________________________________

	Those who are addicted to Summer's folly are never quite at
	peace with themselves as those who can appreciate the beauty
	of each passing season.
     ____________________________________________________________________

    I love "The Wind and the Wheat" but it's the only thing I've heard
    that I liked.  It's one of those rare superlative albums - every cut
    is grand, especially the opening cut.
    
    I was very dissapointed by "The Master and the Musician" even though
    people describe it as his definitive instrumental/guitar album.
    
    I also own "Wednesday's Child" and "Getting Closer". 
    
    Are there any other albums that you feel I would like given that I
    loved "Wind" and was left cold by "Master&Musician"?

"The Master & The Musician" was a mid/late 70's album. I do like this album
but I think his 2 more recent instrumental albums are better.

Hmmm, you liked "Getting Closer" and "Sundays Child" huh. Try "Find Me In
These Fields". I think, personally, that this is his best rock/vocal album.

3 of his older albums have been recently released on a double-CD set.
The 3 albums in this set are:

	"Town to Town" from 1981
	"P'hlip Side"  from 1980
	"Play Thru Me" from 1982

These are rock/vocal albums that are pretty good.

Do you like accoustic guitar? If so then "Beyond Nature" is georgeous !!!

There has been rumor of a re-release of the old Glass Harp stuff.

Marty Moose

I went back and read .5 again. I misunderstood the first time.

Hmm, seems like you liked the more "jazzy" style of "Wind & Wheat" but
not the older style of "Master & Musician". Reading between the lines
you may not have liked the 2 rock albums of his you have.

Hmmm. That makes it difficult because all 3 of him instrumental CD's are
different. "Master & Musician" is a 70's thing. "Wind & Wheat" and
"Beyond Nature" are vastly different from each other. This shows Keaggy's
versatility.

Again, if you like accoustic - get Beyond Nature.

Marty Moose.

    That's right, I really didn't care for "Getting Closer" (although it
    had some moments) and "Wednesday's Child" left me totally cold.
    
    "Wind and the Wheat" is the only thing I've heard that I liked - that
    is one of my favorite guitar albums.  I'm writing a song and there's
    one part I'm concerned is too derivative of "March of the Clouds" which
    is my favorite Keaggy tune.
    
    I like acoustic guitar, it might be worth checking out that other
    album.

"Wednesday's Child" (I think the correct title is "Sunday's child") was a kind
of '60's rock album done mostly live in the studio. Very little overdubbing
and Keaggy used old guitars and Fender amps which them mic'd. He wanted to
get that old-time feel combined with a quality recording technically.

It's been so long since I've heard "Getting Closer" that I have forgotten
what it was like. I got rid of my old record albums a long time ago. This
release has not been re-issued on CD as of yet.

The thing about Keaggy is that his albums are all so diverse - unless you
can get some advise from someone you are never quite sure what you are
buying. However, this is what makes Keaggy so great - his extreme versatility.

Again, if you like acoustic guitar then get "Beyond Nature". When you
compare it to the '60's rock of "Sundays Child" you just won't believe
Keaggy's versatility.

Marty Moose

I've been listening to this album courtesy of a friend, and I do believe I'll
buy it. Real nice acoustic stuff, some reminiscent of John Renbourne/Bert Jansch,
but really in a class by itself. Some very plaintive, celtic-folk sort of
tunes, some with recorders and/or flutes and fiddle.

Bob

    
    	For a second, I thought the reference to "Wednesday Child" was
    	the band Wednesday Week which wouldn't have made much sence
    	but the reminiscent nature mentioned in .10 may prompt be to
    	give a listen.
    
    	- Jim

    Anyone know of some Worcester or Boston area stores that have a *good
    stock* of Keaggy and other Christian music in general?  The last time I
    saw some of Phil's recordings was ten years ago (I bought two at the
    time).
    
    						Brian
     

    
    	Try MORNING STAR on Hamalton st in Leominster.....

    	
    	Im sorry....That would be *Airport Road in Leominster....

"Beyone Nature" is on both the Christian label "Myhrr" and the secular label
"Epic". Because of this it is available at both Christian and regular music
shops.

You might have to go specifically to the "Christian" stores for the other
releases though. I have seen "The Wind and the Wheat" in the New Age section
of Musicland though.

Marty Moose

    RE: Myhrr
    
    That's actually spelled "Myrrh".  He's on the same Christian label as
    Amy Grant.
    
    "Beyond Nature" also has some Michael Hedges influences in it as well
    as John Renbourne.  The music was inspired by one of C.S. Lewis' books.
    It is about 98% acoustic (one tune has some electric guitar overdubs in
    it).
    
    If it is available on Epic, you should be able to order it from
    Musicland, Sam Goody, Wherehouse, Tower, etc.
    
    There's another Christian book/music store is on Rt. 2A in Acton.
    
    Mike

    
    The Burning Bush Christian book, Bible and music store has two
    locations.
    
    Route 12 in Auburn and in the Caldor Plaza in Westboro on route 9.
    
    Christian Book & Supply has two locations also, route 2A in Acton
    and In Burlington, MA.