Phil Keaggy's "Sergeant Pepper" album

Sixteen years have passed since I first published a version of this review. Listening to it again (for the umpteenth time) I am still convinced that "Crimson and Blue" is Keaggy's tour de force, his "Sergeant Pepper" album. If you are a musician and particularly a classic rock guitarist who has heard about this talented muso, this album is a great place to start.




Yes, there are other great instrumental albums of his, both electric and acoustic, that are worth listening to, but all fall short of this album. It's here you hear him interact with a great band, hear him sing covers, play long engaging solos and most of all, show unbridled joy. Phil plays with bravado. Much credit must go to producer, Lynn Nichols, Phil's friend and fellow musician of years past. From what I have read, Phil said that Lynn pushed him to the limit of his singing and playing ability. The production is superb, the recording bright and detailed and for 70 minutes plus, one is caught up in the joy and vitality of a band in full flight.

Indeed, this captures a band playing with the fervour of a garage jam or live concert. (How I wish I could have seen the tour supporting this!) In many ways this album, like one of the song titles, is a "Reunion of friends". Drummer John Sferra met Phil in the 8th grade. They played together in Glass Harp. Now Sferra holds all together magnificently. His drumming is probably more responsible for the cohesiveness and consistency of the 60s and 70s rock style than anything else. Wade Janes locks solid on bass while Phil Madeira, another friend of long standing, fills the soundstage with his Hammond B-3 organ. Against this bluesy backdrop we come to the maestro. Whether he is deftly playing Beatlesque licks that would make Harrison smile, or whether he is rocking the house down, this is exciting stuff!

From the opening strident rock anthem, when Phil shouts, "All creation shows the glory of the Lord", this album slowly builds with intensity. One hears many musical influences, with three Beatle-like tracks ("Everywhere I look", "Love divine" and "Reunion of friends") which are almost too close to Beatle originals for comfort, to tones that remind one of Clapton in his Cream days. Yet Phil adds his own flavour as again and again his honest lyrics reflect his heart. You cannot separate his musicianship from his faith. The final four tracks continue to lift to the crescendo that breaks loose in the penultimate track, "Doin' Nothin'". This eight minute rock boogie always satisfies my longing to hear Phil rip up the fretboard. Together with the Clapton inflected "Don't pass me by", these are about the heaviest you'll hear Keaggy play on a studio album of his. ("Doin' Nothin" is available as an MP3 single from Amazon - have a listen!) Doin' Nothin' (Album Version)


The final track is a masterful blues ballad as Jimi may have played. Phil focuses the album on the source of his joy and wholeness, his saviour. With this track there is an emotional depth that communicates lyrically and musically; the notes shimmer and echo the redemptive message. Listening again after all these years, this is still his "tour de force" album.  


PS: For a recent studio album, read one of the most enjoyable and exuberant PK reviews I've read, by blogger Kirk Jordan on "Mystery Highway", Phil and Randy Stonehill's collaborative effort.