All three albums are solid offerings by this highly influential band. It's interesting to listen to the development of the band lyrically and musically — they didn't set out to be a Christian band, but ended up being one of the chief influences of the Jesus Music bands that were starting in the early 70s. If you listen to early Petra, for example, you can hear Glass Harp influences in many of their songs. The only thing that could be better than getting all three of these CDs would be getting a copy of Glass Harp: Live at Carnegie Hall concert that they did in 1972, when they opened for The Kinks.
Each CD also offers one previously unreleased track. The debut album contains "Voice of God Cry Out," a song that Phil Keaggy recorded using a sound-on-sound tape recorder. It wasn't played in concert because of the effects that were used, but it's an outstanding piece. Synergy includes the accoustic song "Let It Ring," which drummer John Sferra later played on his own solo album. It Makes Me Glad ends with "Little Doggie," which was used in a TV documentary about children.
The audio quality of these re-issues is outstanding. It would be easy to think that they were recorded at a Glass Harp reunion show, rather than redone from the originals. These three CDs are a must have for any serious collector, anyone who is interested in classic rock, Christian rock fans, and Phil Keaggy fans.
Article comments
1 - MT
It's about time.
2 - The Theory
You've got to be fuckin' kidding me.
I'll be all over this. Next paycheck. Awwwe yeah.
*will finally replace his bootleg copies*
3 - DJRadiohead
Warren, I plan to read your review when I have written my own. Glad to see you are ahead of me in terms of getting the work done. I look forward to getting your thoughts on the album, too.