2011 is 21st year since the release of this extraordinary album. When I first heard it I was impressed by the recording quality, entertained by the gritty blues instrumentals and as an overall album, loved its variety from beatlesque style to anthemic rock all gelling together as an album.
I have consistently listened to it through the years. It still surprises one, entertains while the depth of lyrics continues to speaks to the soul. I call it a Keaggy concept album as this represents Phil as a mature artist - you'll find him in all of these fields - from the brilliant acoustic humorous start (listen to the sampler in Amazon
as you hear it in full!) to the flat-out electric blues - this runs the gamut of what he does. Yet underpinning all of this is his faith, the bedrock of this album. Phil tells stories through song, some joyful, all encouraging whilst some are deeply moving like 'Calling you' and the final 'Be in my heart'.
as you hear it in full!) to the flat-out electric blues - this runs the gamut of what he does. Yet underpinning all of this is his faith, the bedrock of this album. Phil tells stories through song, some joyful, all encouraging whilst some are deeply moving like 'Calling you' and the final 'Be in my heart'. 
'Strong tower' and 'Carry on' are strong opening tracks and real band efforts - organic blues rock with Phil reverting to his established rock tones of the earlier 70's leaving behind the almost sterile 80s studio sound. The recording is still vibrant after 21 years - I find the production qualities on this album amazing - punchy bass and drums, swirling keyboards, clear vocals and rich guitar tones. In comparison, the 80s studio material seems a little too smooth, perhaps a touch artificial and controlled.
Perhaps what makes this gel is the core band of Rick Cua on bass, Mike Mead on drums and long-time friends Phil Madeira on some superb Hammond B-3 and piano and Lynn Nichol on background vocals and providing vibrant production. Interestingly, other than Madeira, they had all played together on the previous 'Sundays Child' album which I suggest created a wonderful sense of continuity and trust for this creative and more explorative project.
What this album does so well is embrace the whole spectrum of life - we have joyful anthems like 'Final day', 'Gentle and strong' a father singing about his son, songs seeking forgiveness and songs of encouragement. Lyrically this album shows Phil forging ahead. Many of the lines touching deeply and in the middle of the album some gentle reflective songs. What is more impacting than beautiful melodies intertwined with heartfelt lyrics?
"Find me in these fields alone
Crusted with the salt of my ways
Rinse me with the motion of sweet water
The silky rush of Your cleansing stream"
One cannot do justice to this classic album without commenting specifically on Phil the guitarist. He has five excellent instrumentals through the album, two as bookends and the other three that take you to different stages of the album. The second instrumental contains the tapping acoustic magic in the style of Michael Hedges. (Keaggy first used this on the album 'Wind and the Wheat'. This is also used powerfully on 'Calling you'). The final three instrumentals are scorchers and were recorded direct to disk. Here you hear Phil reeling off blues rock lines with an intensity accompanied by a band having fun. There are of course great solos throughout the album ('Carry on' particularly) with the most intriguing guitaring on the psychedelic track of the album, 'Get over it' with unusual textures, harmonics and eastern sitar like sounds to a Harrison-like solo with the odd Beatles quote thrown in.
As mentioned this album was released after 'Sundays Child'(1990). After it came 'Beyond Nature'(1992) which was followed by 'Crimson and Blue'(1993)- all part of the quartet of what I consider Phil's strongest albums to date. These albums all are listed as favourites by his fans and all stand the test of time. Clearly the early 90's were an incredibly rich recording and composing time for Keaggy. Of this quartet, 'Find me in these fields' best demonstrates the diverse richness of the talents of Phil Keaggy as a guitarist, song writer, musician - an artist who glorifies his maker.
