Phil Keaggy Riverton

[LWRCftw]

0:11 sounds like it belongs in Bomberman Hero

[BestTVvideo]

he could play this in his sleep... effortless

[SuperORION91]

His playing almost reminds me of Joe Satriani. Absolutely full of soul and feeling :)

[mudeye]

This song is so awesome.I've never heard anything like it.

Just fabulous!

[snapperjohn1000]

@mudeye oh,'' trust me there is so much undiscoverd phil keaggy yet to come ,just look around,i know of no other guitarist so versed in all types of guitar playing, you will see

[marty051892]

He has that old Satriani tone.

[bookguitarguy]

@marty051892 Um, I think you mean that Satriani (on a good day) has that old Phil Keaggy tone!!! :O))

[harmono]

That style of playing there is a little like Alan Holdsworth, but Phil has his own style altogether, much sweeter, and cleaner, light and airy. That thing near the headstock is a locking nut I believe. I saw him play live around '87 at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego. I had no idea who he was, but I heard he was very good, and I was not disappointed.

[joelg125]

What guitar is that?

[stewartspiritweaver]

@joelg125 That is a Zion Guitar.  I don't know if they still exist, but they were a small one of a kind electric guitar maker in Greensboro North Carolina.

[snapperjohn1000]

there should be no religious conflict at all phil has stuck to his guns all of the years,he has made it very clear about his faith. listen to the music ,see his great tallant ,he draws from a higher source.

[marty051892]

sounds like satriani's tone from the 80's. very great playing here.

[bookguitarguy]

@marty051892 Hey Marty. Check out some of Phil's stuff from the **70's** ;O). Maybe you'll find some of Satriani's influences. :O) Keaggy is a better guitarist, overall (than just about anybody), and if he wasn't in the Christian music business, he'd be as big as Hendrix (or bigger). Yes, I did say that!! When asked who he thought was the best guitarist in the world, Jimi Hendrix replied, "Phil Keaggy"!!! Fact. Listen to 10 or 20 of his videos on YouTube, different styles-you'll truly be amazed!

[jazzrockblues95]

@bookguitarguy excellent is the right word for your comment!

[bookguitarguy]

@jazzrockblues95 Just stating the facts! Thanks :O)

[whitedress01]

Here is my comment. Thank you for posting!

[philabrand]

Getting Closer was a little known album from 1985. Came after the Underground Sessions from 84 and was out of print as fast as it came out. I missed it on vinyl and had to wait 4 years before I found it in the bargain bin at Target on cassette. I finally met someone who had it on vinyl and I put it on cd from there. Friends in the biz agree when I say he truly is from another planet, both on electric and acoustically.

[jdean9]

i love that phasing vibrato sound

[KnitsAndKnitability]

Anyone know what the gizmo is between the first fret and the head?

[mulemusic]

@KnitsAndKnitability -- the gizmo could well be a locking nut system.. If you are unfamiliar with it, you can lock down the strings and it stays in tune much better if you are using the wammy bar a lot.. you can tune down at the bridge if you need to..

[harmono]

@KnitsAndKnitability Probably a locking nut. One of the early versions of them. I had a washburn locking nut and tremolo system that was slightly different around that time on my Ibanez.

[virtualguitarist]

Hes all over those switches, nobs and wammy bar like its nothing. Thats one of the many things i like about Phil is that there isant a thing that hes afraid to experement with.

[whammybarfreak]

very holdsworthy, i love his style

[OldTimesCruelty]

I like the run he does @ 1:20 that's pretty sweet!

[10472112LEE]

The man! Envious of this creature.

Peace..

[Godsword10]

I have never seen his electric work. I have a lot of work to do so i will be shutting myself up in my room for the next three weeks.

[joe700700]

i just love phil's distortion guitar tone.................it sounds sweet tonally.

[BullToTheShit]

This was done during his Holdsworth phase.

[diminishedlogic]

very holdsworthy

[redrocker79]

Sounds like something from the movie LABRYNTH!!!

[rushfloydzeppelin]

No!! Not at all! Labyrinth is filled with 80's bowie pop crap.

[azdanca]

nice jam.....sort of like Holdsworth at half speed (not meant as a criticism)

[jdean9]

cool i haven't heard this before this was a very unique and charming tune.. lovely !

[musicappreciate]

The background music is a little dated, but still cool work from PK.

[Luvanicebum]

...a little dated....ya think?

yeah, the recording gear looks up to speed though huh...lol

[mudeye]

My best song o all time!

Who else can play this???

[hahafender]

me lol

[mudeye]

Did they change His shirt color?

I liked the old shirt color better!

[kisohead]

Yep! Hah! I love the man! started listening to him in '75. I've since lost my religion, but not my adoration for Keaggy. Wish he'd get some secular exposure. He's talented enough for a much wider audience. Sigh, but Phil's too humble to pursue it. This is such a nice recording. He's versatile for sure!

[kelark]

God is standing and watching a far off waiting for you return. You are a prodigal and loved.

[JWL65]

Amen to everytjing you said!

[musicappreciate]

Sounds dated for Phil. He's not usually like that.

[FunknGrvn]

But he's all grey now so I think this is a dated video 80's for sure

[jevoshawke13]

Wow, great fusion. Sounds like a variation on Frank Gambale or Holdsworth's playing.

[deathbog0007]

a very fine touch on the guitar...fab

[AUTOMANUT]

Well...., could you say it's a distortion/overdrice whatever+ Chorus?? Or how do you get this sound?

[Ozznize]

a little reverb or delay might also be the thing you are looking for

[tacomadc]

He has a Schector double humbucker guitar, which is the exact (nearly) guitar Holdsworth played when he did his best stuff. The Ebony fretboard makes a difference.

You can order a very similar guitar even in kit for from Carvin for very little money.

That's how he gets that sound, plus being a great guitarist and having a soft touch.

[danmccain]

Actually that's a Zion guitar, Phil has been endorsed by them for years.... They make a great guitar, but most of the time they are used for studio work!

[guitarcastle2]

Dude, I own the DVD this is from! Phil named this piece for a town in western Wyoming he went to on tour, and the mood fits so well! I love all the cool sounds!

[tinozman]

Does the DVD show the brand and make of his guitar? I've heard here it's a Schector, then a Zion. Which is it?

[PainlessSoul]

Its a Zion. :)

[prasiddha]

All this religious conflict don't belong here boys. This area here is for music and for appreciation of music! :)

[radiocreative]

@prasiddha yes, thanks for that! Phil is a guitar player's player for all! 

[magirecords2005]

How does he get that Holdsworth sound? Is that

a guitar synth. pedalboard?

[magirecords2005]

Nobody likes guitarists? with God in their life

for some reason? Very odd lol!Hmm?

[nightmarecinema33]

I don't care to be honest, its just that phil is one of the only good ones.

[drodenbar]

only good whats

[nightmarecinema33]

Christian guitarists. or at least guitarists who advertises his religion in his music.

[drodenbar]

what about tommy emmanuel

[nightmarecinema33]

yeah he's awesome, but a handful of amazing guitarists out of the countless christian "musicians" doesn't make for a very fond stereotype.

[MarkInEugene]

What a wonderful first rate guitarist. It's a shame his label never properly promoted him beyond the Christian music scene. In all these years I've somehow missed him.

[menemier]

Lets all give each other a little grace here. We all have favorites. We don't have to beat each other up. Phil is among my top 5 influences, but he will be the first to tell you that he thinks there are many better than him. I have met him twice and he is a humble guy, just like Eric Johnson, Larry Carlton, Satriani, Atkins, & Joe Pass, etc. They all have contributed. Lets appreciate what they have brought and give each other room for personal differences. They all add so much to life.

[RussianCivilian]

Joe Satriani, Buckethead, Russel Lisack, Steve Vai, Randy Rhoads. Those guys are the best. Phil here doesn't make MY list, but im sure someone thinks he is. Preference all you like, no one is changing my mind.

[Jowind]

lotta hating in these here comments for this vid for some reason. lets just enjoy the music.

[poonjazz]

Wow! Neato dogma! So much anger- i'll bet that helps you a lot. Who are you quoting? So speed = talent? thanks for the enlightenment. birelli is a technique machine, django got a lot more across in a lot less notes. I dont have a "best". everybody was influeced by all that came before them. it just isnt helpful to slam ANY player. What the fuck is "the real best"? Lots of people are great, but with a closed mind you wont hear it, only speed will do. Django WAS a visionary. its creepy in here.

[SleepyGypsy]

The real best is the guy who all the other big name guitar players say is the best. Guess who tops the list when you ask them all who the best is/was? Clapton, Joe Pass, Hendrix, Keagy, Walsh, BB king, Paul Gilbert, Malmsteen, Johnny Smith, Benson, Oberg, Rosenberg...they all said Django and Bireli Lagrene. I guess the guitar players mentioned above are all not that credible? Stupid, uneducated guitar players i guess huh? I'll take their words over anyone elses.

[menemier]

Totally agree!!! I am a huge Keaggy fan but there are tons of great players, many none of us will ever hear of too. I just appreciate that we live in a time when we can enjoy them all. Imagine only 100 years ago. People need to take a step back and enjoy what we have.

[poonjazz]

Why has "better than hendrix" become the bs gold standard for these adolescent who's better than who rants? not in the spirit of music. a million guys can play faster than hendrix, but they didnt change music in a way that every great player acknowledges! Hendrix was a VERY humble and insecure genius. Keaggy is a great technical player but it sounds like elevator music. Try some Sonny Rollins- speed + soul!

[lordkazama86]

Why has there been a sudden influx of "Keaggy is just some schmuck guitar player not really the inspiration and pre-hendrix HENDRIX"...the answer: musically uneducated old people who think they know music. Try some Bireli Lagrene and Stochelo Rosenberg for real speed and the most advanced forms of Guitar imaginible, as well as some of the most beautiful improv to ever exist. you PHALE.

[SleepyGypsy]

I would be willing to bet my LIFE that your name is Chuck, and you grew up on basic rock and roll, and finger picking guitarists, and you learned from one of these people or grew up with them and was brainwashed into thinking they are the real "best". Sorry, sir. But the gypsy jazzists are the real BEST of all time, Phil played like Hendrix well before Jimi ever learned how to play. I love them all equally, but Phil paved the way for all modern rock, and django for it ALL

[sebese]

This sounds like a song that would be in a Steven Segal movie. Like in one of the serious parts. LOL

[Chipix]

Oh man! You're so right!! hahahaha LOL

[fritznlou]

tasteful

[mrjam00]

gotta love phil

[mrjam00]

gotta love phil

[waugs9]

kilo some times the simplest notes are the most amazing and if you really are that ignorant then you need to take your head out of your ass dont criticize an artist you know nothing about

[joe700700]

one of the greatest and most versatile guitarist/musician ever....he is a god of the acoustic guitar...

[winnerandloser]

He is great, this for a change reminds me Steve Vai´s songs, but be careful, I don=t want to tell he is copying something. It sounds beautiful.

[rmsolympic1]

he's better than vai, really, having just skirted fame due to being, gulp, a ' Christian ' artist. the man is a creative genius.

[ascribe21]

haha..kilo54!! i know who phil keaggy is, but....WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!!!post your feeble guitar vids, have you ever won world class awards or produced critically aclaimed albums, or worked with world class musos?...if not,

WHO THE F@#" ARE YOU!!!??!!give credit where credits due bitch, or shut the hell up.

[josephostrander]

sorry for double post. thought i messed up but accidentaly did it twice

[thompsonlake]

this guy ain't that good???WTF...

One of the 5 greatest acoustic players EVER!

And is electric stuff is so amazing!

[kilo54]

this guy ain't that good ............I've seen better.....anybody can make these sounds...very simple..try writing and putting a really good tune together with a great hook and tempo.

replication is just that.......... REPLICATION

[JRBain7]

Phil Keaggy is an excellent musician. He has great technique, imagination (His work with looping is very cool) and musicality. Try his acoustic work if you don't like this.

[djbro16]

if you think this is the best of keaggy you need to get a room with yourself, your dreaming

[andocrates]

That's just an urban legand about Hendrix. First off hendrix wasn't one to brag so it would have little impact. Clapton never was considered a great guitar player just a tasteful blues player. But most importantly there is no greatest guitar player in the world. watch these videos and see what I mean. The gypsy guitar player is faster then keagy ever was. The bach guy (try not to look at him) is so complicateed it blows my mind.

gypsy

4u4zxGlEDc8

bach

eQ4Og9LNJpk

[josephostrander]

im not so sure hendrix was necesarily faster than keaggy. look at some of his purely acoustical stuff, you will see what i mean. try looking at the song shades of green, look past the improv and strange yet comely techniques and methods he uses with different instruments(such as the plastic strips/double capos) and look at his pure speed and finess. though, it may be because he is fingerpicking alot of it, but he is EXTREMELY fast going from 1st to 12th fret.

[Jeffie08]

I like more Phil Keaggy's acoustic songs. Though he is also a very good electric guitar player, i think his electric songs are more time-addicted...

[Unknownbmxr]

kind of like the predecessor to vai...

[lordkazama86]

Jimi hendrix and Eric Clapton both regarded him as godly compared to them both.

[flimflam0069]

well eric clapton imo isnt that great anyway, i mean he definatly has a unique sound but his ability is no where near hendrix or keaggy, or SRV.

[SleepyGypsy]

I know you dont believe me, but all three people you just named literally stated they cannot compare to Phil. Phil has a rare gift those three do not, improv. Not to say each are great in their own respects, but ya, all are great, but regarded him as better

[ActionJackson2386]

Yea on Jimi Hendrix's only appearance on the tonight show he was asked the question, "How does it feel to be the worlds greatest guitar player?" and Jimi answered, "I dont know ask Phil Keaggy."

[kilo54]

yea right..............

[josephostrander]

im not so sure hendrix was necesarily faster than keaggy. look at some of his purely acoustical stuff, you will see what i mean. try looking at the song shades of green, look past the improv and strange yet comely techniques and methods he uses with different instruments(such as the plastic strips/double capos) and look at his pure speed and finess. though, it may be because he is fingerpicking alot of it, but he is EXTREMELY fast going from 1st to 12th fret.

[kilo54]

bull

[missmarleneoh]

man id like to see some more keaggy and glass harp videos

[tommyleebee]

To those who asked what styles Keaggy invented, well, the one most unusual style is his many uncanny sounds he makes manipulating the volume control switch to turn swell sounds into flute, organ, violine and trumpet sounds. No one else is even close to matching his ability on this. HE DOES IT W/O THE HELP OF A SOUND BOX electric guitar straight-to-amp!!

[missmarleneoh]

are you talking about an e-bow?

[tommyleebee]

No, not the e-bow. Just turning the volume control switch off w/ his pinkie finger, then rolling the sound back on w/ varying degrees of intensity and speed to get a wide range of sounds that one would not expect to hear from a guitar. I repeat, it's not synthesized sound, it's strictly manipulation of the volume control switch, period! It's the similar process used with a sound peddle.

[clottoyup]

this viedo gives him no justice. watch some of his aucustic stuff.

[Indieguitarist85]

Phil is amazing!

[kangtheconqueror]

Truly astonishing. Phil is a real master. Has ANYONE got footage of him playing 'Sounds'?? K

[bartolemeo]

I would love to see that....such a beautiful song!

[jasonkritz]

If you studied this guy and all of his work..... He is THE single greatest guitarist to ever pick up a guitar (talent-wise). He has mastered most styles and invented a couple of his own. No one else is as versatile. He may be outplayed speed-wise by some other guitarists (hard-to-believe) but his style and talent is unmatched to this date.

[geosochi]

:D

what styles did he invent?

[sjdiag]

er, style schmyle. tommy is the guvnor. ask my mum. phil keaggy bores the shit out of me, but in very clever, inventive way. name the styles he invented please.

[Guitarman504]

I don't think anyone here would deny that Tommy E is a phenomenal guitarist. In fact he was just voted #1 acoustic guitarist in the 08 Guitar Player Mag poll. Unfortunately for you, being in the UK , you will probably never get to see Phil live. If you did , you would have a totally different opinion of him. And you DEFINITELY would NOT be bored!

[sjdiag]

you've still not named the styles he invented. i take it you are struggling.

[lordkazama86]

The style he invented...? Ehh...more like jump started, he played like Jimi hendrix a few years before Hendrix came out, and ohh guess who Hendrix said were his favorite guitar players...Django Reinhardt and...oh...PHIL KEAGGY...both of which Hendrix admitted were better than himself by leaps and bounds.

[sjdiag]

So, he didn't invent any styles then. He "jump started" the Hendrix style (whatever that was".

I don't think he sounds at all like Hendrix.

For taste, finesse and musicality, allied to speed and skill around the fretboard, Akkerman runs rings around Keaggy. I also much prefer Satriani. His stuff is far more interesting and diverse.

I bet you couldn't whistle a Keaggy tune - mainly because what he does is pretty devoid of memorable melody. He's a decent player, though.

[sjdiag]

The point is though, if your music is a bit dull, no matter how good you are technically, it will not make up for that dullness. I find his stuff dull, uninspiring and lacking in emotion. That will be almost sacriligious to you, no doubt.

I promise to listen to more of his stuff and see if my mind can be changed.

[Guitarman504]

Why don't you watch

Phil Keaggy Shades of Green, Live@Wheaton

and see if you find it uninspiring and dull.

[sjdiag]

er, try Tommy Emmanuel.

[AcousticBruce]

this video gives no justice at all... check out his acoustic stuff... check out beyond nature and wind in the wheat. just look up keaggy wind and the wheat

[tommyleebee]

Very well Said!! You are also right about doubting that anyone is as fast. I been into Keaggy since '74, when he played scripture songs on the Scott Ross Show. Anyone else remember that? Hopefully one day Keaggy will get the recognition he deserves! It's only cuz of his following his faith that he's not gotten it already.

[nlnnet]

grab great music by Phil at PhilKeaggy (dot) com

[Domitus]

Phil Keaggy was/is ahead of his time. Holdsworth and Howe are barely on this level...

[bartolemeo]

It's always straight from the heart with Mr. Keaggy.

[philipfry86]

Phil is GREAT!!!

[gibsonlesliepaul]

no offense but i really hate the gay beats and drums the verse sounds soooo sweeet but the main part is sooo annoying

[stromtrooper32]

I hear you, but this was done in '84 or '85. Think about what was going on at that time, and you'll understand. Still a great performance, and great lp. My favorite was "sounds" from that album. It had Patitucci on bass.

[Slapmastaoffunk]

impressive as always...