Search - Phil Keaggy :: Cinemascapes

+ 1/2 Stars...Mostly Pleasant Background Music

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 04/08/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first of two Phil Keaggy CDs released in 2001 (the other is In the Quiet Hours) that features mostly remastered songs from his 1999 4-CD Music To Paint By series. Cinemascapes samples all four CDs (still available in their entirety through Keaggy's website) and adds three previously unreleased songs ("The Road Home," "Lighthouse" and "For the Love") plus one song ("Spring") that was previously available only on the 2000 release Uncle Duke where it was entitled "Interlude."About half of these tracks feature Keaggy in a solo setting on either electric or acoustic guitar, sometimes overdubbing himself playing bass, percussion, and/or synthesizer. On other tracks he uses other musicians on keyboards and percussion. As the album title implies, many of these songs evoke a mood that would fit into a movie soundtrack. Keaggy's guitar synthesizer on "A Mother's Son" lends a Celtic feel to the song. "Grand Old Man" with its accordian and mandolin gives the song an Old World sound. Some of these songs are little more than sound bites. "Skethings" clocks in at 16 seconds and "Recollections" is only 33 seconds. Several other selections ("The Baltic," "Markings" and "Spring") are less than two minutes. Of the two releases, In the Quiet Hours focuses more on Keaggy's guitar playing. Too often on Cinemascapes, his guitar is downplayed. However, if you enjoy Keaggy's guitar work, you'll still find plenty to enjoy on this disc. (Running Time - 55:01) RECOMMENDED"

Lifes soundtrack

Steve Vrana | 02/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to this album is so relaxing. I feel like when I listen to it, it is like Keaggy's soundtrack to his life. The vibe is just chillin. Perfect if someone is over and you need some music in the background."