There are two big downsides. The first is spontaneity factor. Each concert Keaggy does is different because of the improvising he does. Particularly during his signature live songs, when he branches off into crazy instrumental jams, it is spontaneous and never repeated the same way twice. So while the DVD captures various versions of these jams, repeated viewings may fool the viewer into thinking that those are always the way Keaggy performs the song. The second downside is that the DVD cuts out most of the between song banter. I wouldn’t have guessed before I actually saw him live, but Keaggy is a very funny person. If he spoke as much as he played guitar there would be as much laughing as jaw dropping. His on-stage demeanor is easy and comfortable. Couple that with self-deprecation and friendliness and you have a recipe for some pretty amusing things. Unfortunately, it gets cut, other than a random throwaway comment here or there.
The funniest things end up being that which happen during songs and can’t get cut. Phil Keaggy’s comfort with himself and his talent allows him to not be perfect. Rather than hide it he’ll point it out and allow the audience to have a chuckle. The best example is when in the first chorus of a song he scooped awkwardly to try and hit a note. Keaggy stopped and commented on how the song was a lot higher than he remembered it. He said a couple of really funny things which I’m not going to try and paraphrase here. Keaggy looked at his guitar, said “Ah!” and adjusted his capo to a different fret. He then restarted the song and was fine. There are other little things similar to that, the sort of mistakes that other artists might do but wouldn’t be able to gracefully make light of the situation.
This DVD is an excellent addition to any guitar enthusiast’s collection. If you’re not sure from my description, go to youtube and plug in “Phil Keaggy” and either “Salvation Army Band,” “John The Revelator,” or “True Believers” as your keywords and see for yourself. For me personally, even on repeated viewings, this DVD never fails to distance me from time and space, putting me in a world where it is just Phil Keaggy and myself without any worries or fears of life getting in the way.
Article comments
1 - The Haze
Remember Phil from the 70's in my hometown of Youngstown,Ohio with his group Glass Harp. He can definitely blister an electric guitar too.
2 - john
i saw Phil a couple of years ago here in town at the annual show that guitarist Muriel Anderson does in her home town of Downers Grove, IL. he was amazing, both my sons who are musicians went and they were floored by his playing.
i'm sure you're familiar with his presence on How the West Was One by Second Chapter of Acts back in the day.
3 - Josh
Keaggy is one of my favorite players in the universe. I've collected several of his albums but have never gotten to see him live. Your review makes me want to see him in concert as much as it makes me want to purchase the DVD. He's an extraordinary talent.
4 - The Theory
yeah, my first Keaggy concert experience was Glass Harp. It was good. I do find that I favor his acoustic sets more, however.