Search - Phil Keaggy :: Phil Keaggy and Sunday's Child

Steve B. from ELGIN, IL
Reviewed on 1/5/2012...

I like it.

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

"For even cooler production- get the CD!"

take403 | 10/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of my favorite Phil Keaggy CD's. It also has my vote for Desert Isle CD's! A friend of mine got in on cassette and played it for me in the car and I loved it! 6 months later, I bought my own copy on CD. I played it for many friends (some of whom don't even like or listen to "Christian music" and they all liked it!). The liner notes are humorous, a parody of the Capitol adverts on the Beatles albums ("Our new improved Myrrh-o-phonic sounds better than stereo ever sounded before!"). Unfortunately, this classic is out of print (Word Records, if you're reading this, please share the love and consider re-issuing it).



Phil Keaggy is one of the most gifted guitarists of all time. This album features him performing with Russ Taff (featured on "Ain't Got No"), Randy Stonehill (featured on "Sunday's Child"), the late Mike Heard (he wrote "I Always Do"), former Outlaws veteran Rick Cua (bass), Mike Mead (drums, I believe he used the same drumkit that Ringo Starr used while in the Beatles) and James Hollihan (guitar), to name a few. You can hear Phil playing the jangly Rickenbacker quite prominently.



"Tell Me How You Feel" opens this album. It sounds a little like the Byrds and the lyrics speak of conversation with God, encouraging people to be honest and comfortable in their prayers. "Sunday's Child" features Phil and Randy dueting both on vocals and guitar. The introduction is much like the chatter on later Beatles songs. "I Always Do" features Robbie Buchanan on Hammond organ. Phil Keaggy's vocal performance tells Mark Heard's confessional lyrics perfectly: "If I'd listen to You, I'd be a bit softer than stone." This is a good song to listen to after you regret something you've done. "I'm Gonna Get You Now" features some fine Rolling Stones style guitar licks. It's basically a fun blues song, with lyrics which seem to be saying God will somehow get our attention in the end. "Blessed Be the Ties" speaks of the importance of family, with an exhortation to keep God as the center of it. Musically, it seems to recall the Beatles' "I'm Only Sleeping." "This Could Be the Moment" has some cool Eric Clapton style guitar playing (Keaggy and Hollihan take turns jamming on the guitar). This song seems to encourage those who think they've seen it all to turn to God. "Ain't Got No" has Randy and Russ joining Phil on lead vocals with more Stones style riffs. The song seems to say, rich or poor, as long as you have the love of God in your heart, you've got it all! The sensitive "Somebody Loves You" features some fine acoustic/electric guitar work. "Big Eraser" (which sounds a little like the Monkees' "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone") confronts those who seem to delight in creating rumors and modern legends- "Take back your big eraser, your magic truth replacer, hands off those retouched photos..." "Everything Is Alright" is another Mark Heard song, with lyrics which reminds us not to worry in times of trials. "I've Just Begun (Again)" was originally written by Phil in 1968 (hence the "Revolution 9" influenced introduction- listen for the announcers voice introducing Glass Harp, Phil's 1st band). Almost 2 decades later, Phil and Lynn Nichols added new lyrics, concerning (to quote from the liner notes of Time 1) "hurt, pain, love reconciled-still with a message of hope- the One who gave you back to me.... It's about forgiveness and not giving up on love." "Walk In Two Worlds" reminds us to remember to remember the spirtual world while still in the material world. "And though many call you, follow just One voice." "Talk About Suffering" turns an old spiritual into a folk rock finale, while staying true to the message ("Talk about suffering here below and talk about loving Jesus"). The acapella introduction bears similarity to Kansas' "Carry On Wayward Son."



So there you have it- a great album from a great guitarist. If you're familiar with Phil Keaggy's work or just like classic rock, try to get a used copy here until hopefully they re-release it."

A Great Pop/Rock Album

Robert Szarka | Norwich, CT USA | 08/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The songwriting here is flawless and so are the performances. It's as if Keaggy found that perfect middle ground between McCartney and Lennon--adding up to my favorite of his albums. My one complaint is that the recording and production is less than top-notch, making it a bit tiresome to listen to at length. Still, highly recommended!"