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Lights of Madrid

Phil Keaggy - Lights of Madrid Audio CD

A fair review of the Phil Keaggy "Lights of Madrid" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Phil Keaggy reviews here, or go back to the Phil Keaggy tabs.

Band: Phil Keaggy
Title: Lights of Madrid
Rating:

Release Date: 2006-01-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Lights of Madrid - Phil Keaggy, 2: Field of Flowers - John Catchings, Phil Keaggy 3: After the Rain - Phil Keaggy, 4: King's Horse - Phil Keaggy, 5: Lady Slippers - Phil Keaggy 6: Allegria - John Catchings, David Davidson, Phil Keaggy, , Andy Martin 7: Inspiration - Phil Keaggy 8: Coraz�n de Fuego - Muriel Anderson, Phil Keaggy 9: Last Call - Phil Keaggy, 10: Picant� - Phil Keaggy, 11: Praise Dance - Eric Darken, Phil Keaggy, 12: Canarios - Phil Keaggy 13: Candlelight - Phil Keaggy, Keith Moore 14: Overture (For Guitar and Orchestra) - John Catchings, David Davidson, Phil Keaggy, Kris Wilkinson String Section, 15: Caliente - Phil Keaggy, 16: [CD-ROM Track] - Phil Keaggy

Like a Warm Spanish Fire on a Cold Night
So you open the CD and think "Can he really tackle a Spanish guitar?" Yep. A surprising artistic endeavor from a legendary guitarist. Keaggy puts his signature on every note, and stays true to form. I have never heard an album with such a good track order--the pieces are almost like a dream in the middle of the album, with a nice, gentle awakening toward the end. Additionally, you can do almost anything to this music. Entertain friends, have a Spanish theme meal, compose poetry, or just sit by the fire and listen with your beloved. Relaxing, sometimes rousing (the last two tracks are great first thing in the morning), always warm and beautiful, Keaggy will make your day. .

Keaggy Lights Up the Stereo

As always there's plenty to delight the ear-indeed repeated playing is well rewarded. Phil Keaggy-legendary guitarist , singer , writer takes a slight detour into a more classical/flamenco style in this superb instrumental album.

Every Song Worth The CD
But don't make me choose. "Caliente" on Phil Keaggy's flamenco and Spanish influenced "Lights of Madrid" might be my favorite. I'd waver between "Picante" and "Lights of Madrid," but, given a different mood, the whole album is up for grabs. I like it that much. Not a dud tune to be found.

This is an acoustic album. You won't hear Keaggy's Paul McCartney-esque voice. Instead, you'll hear an album which is worth of auto-repeat. You'll be instantly drawn to the rhythms, but never bored by hearing them again.

Although Keaggy is acclaimed as a Christian musician, this is not a worship album, per se. Nor is it a rock album. However, it is a long way from easy listening. This is a guitar player's album, as well as an art music fan's album.

Open the album on your computer and find the sheet music ready to go (in PDF). I'm not a musician, and am unable to tell you much more than that, but they are very printable.

I fully recommend "Lights of Madrid" by Phil Keaggy.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore. com.

It's A Crowd Pleaser!
I've played it for co-workers and fussy family members with nice remarks as a result. Outstanding Album! What more can I say that hasn't been said already? ALL the songs on this CD are beautiful. Looking for music to entertain guests? You can't go wrong with this one! This is Keaggy's best guitar album. If you haven't heard his talent with instrumental music you don't know what you're missing! Even if you're trying to choose a first CD from Keaggy, I still recommend "Lights Of Madrid. " On a personal note: I enjoy this CD Very Much. I have ever since day one. Lets just say it's NOT a dust collector.
(I wonder - can a person destroy a CD by playing it to much?).

Phil at his best!
His albums range from timeless classics (Beyond Nature, Sunday's Child) to albums so bland they only received a few spins (True Believer comes quickly to mind and just as quickly is forgotten). In my mind, Phil Keaggy is one of the most inconsistent artists around. His latest album, Lights of Madrid, happily falls into the former group with over an hour of compelling, well-crafted acoustic guitar instrumentals that span genres, techniques, and moods. As you may have guessed from the album title, many, but not all, of the pieces show a Spanish influence. Those familiar with Spanish classical guitar will not be disappointed as Phil very capably tackles the legato scales and technical playing required for this genre. Those familiar with Keaggy himself already know that he is a guitar player's guitar player with amazing technical skills, virtuoso skills which often take backstage to the melody and the structure of the song. His best work marries the two, as is evidenced here.

The title track is, of course, very Spanish with an upbeat, catchy rhythm, excellent backing percussion, and a memorable melody that is worked into the amazing guitar playing. In stark contrast is the peaceful "A Field of Flowers" which is simply two acoustic guitars, a cello, and a beautifully emotive melody that would have fit perfectly on the phenomenal Beyond Nature. "Allgeria" consists of many layers of guitars, orchestral strings, and keyboards as a single melody is pursued by each. By combining contemporary songwriting with Hayden-era classical, Keaggy wrote the nine-minute "Overture" for acoustic guitar and chamber orchestra. Here the guitarist has created an amazingly mature classical composition with solid pacing and development of ideas, definitely on par or better than any classical piece written by his hero, Sir Paul McCartney. I could listen to music like this all day. . . and frequently have since this CD came into my possession. The album closes, aptly, with the return of the Spanish-themed "Caliente", energetic dance music with some ripping xylophone!

The huge variety of tone colors, instrumentation, and melody makes this album so much more than an hour of naked acoustic guitar. If you order now, you'll get an enhanced CD that actually makes sense! Embedded in this CD are detailed tablature transcriptions of twelve of the fifteen tracks, complete with lead and rhythm parts with the solos painstakingly written out. Even without this bonus, however, this album is the best thing Phil Keaggy has written in nearly a decade: an instant classic for guitar freaks and lovers of quality music alike.

You can see a complete list of all Phil Keaggy discography, or go back to the Phil Keaggy tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.