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.
Phil taught guitar to me when I was a teenager. He came to our church and taught some of us in 1980. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
Phil lives in my neighborhood. The first time I met him, we started talking about the Beatles and he showed me pictures of Paul McCartney's wedding that he keeps on his cell phone. He was such a nice, friendly, unassuming guy that I had a hard time understanding why he was at the wedding. I thought maybe he was a relative of the bride. I later learned that he was invited to play guitar. Silly me! Phil has shown up to play at our poolside Fourth of July parties. No one would ever guess that he was a "guitar god" unless they heard him play. One of the benefits of living in Nashville is running into "ordinary" people who turn out to be far from ordinary.
That is so cool! I met Phil twice once was to introduce him at a concert. I was a Christian music DJ at the time. Was the photo of him and Paul together with guitars? Phil had worked with James Olson to give that guitar to Paul. tThose things are easily 10 grand. He is such a friendly and humble guy. I once emailed his webmaster asking a title of a song which was melodious theme. He emailed me back with the title and said Phil wanted me to send you this. It was a unreleased mp3 version of the song. Totally cool of him to do that. So humble and so nice you would never know that he is, in my opinion, the greatest guitarist ever
@@bruhe I don't think there were guitars in the picture, but that was many years ago. Phil is a really nice guy, and I still see him riding his bicycle in our neighborhood from time to time.
Yes I've seen Phil in Riverside California many times and he's not only underrated but unknown ..I dated a girl for a short time that was a rock and roller and she had his music on her computer I couldn't believe it was refreshing, the master and the musician is a masterpiece I've loved it since I was 17 came out 1978 the 30th Anniversary has extra cuts that were recorded in Garden Grove, California." some albums are live, some albums are alive," this is one of my all-time favorites "a belief is a speech that can't be proven right, truth is a a song Never to be proven wrong." Thank you Phil for all the great music and God's word you allowed through you.
@@timothydillow3160 we are lucky to have Phil and the great music he's created. One of the nice things about living in Nashville is running into great musicians and singers. My wife Beth, for instance. When Lynn Anderson appeared on the Johnny Carson show, he asked her for the name of an up-and-coming country music singer to keep an eye on, and Lynn said Beth Harris, my wife's maiden name. Lynn had judged a segment of Be A Star which Beth had won, and obviously made a very good impression. But it's a cutthroat business and Beth decided she wanted to be a stay-at-home mother to our son Jeremy.
If it is the wedding I’m thinking of, the couple was related to both Phil and Paul. Phil was asked to play at the wedding. There is a picture circulating of Paul in the wedding party as a groomsman. He’s looking down the line at Phil as he plays (much like we would look at Phil playing 😲). There is also a picture of the two of them in a hotel room after Phil presented Paul with a left handed Olsen guitar.
Hands down one of the most beautiful and clever guitar songs ever written. This is off one of my top 5 island albums, and it probably my favourite from The Wind and The Wheat. Still listening 30 years later, still one of my favourite ever songs.
This video has almost as many hits as I have miles on my Buick. We both old. Thank God He loves me and led me to this video before it was too late. Go Phil Keaggy!
I hope you have since repented and asked God's forgiveness and found Peace in knowing our amazing God! He loves us so much and is "not willing that any should perish, but have everlasting life!" Jesus died for you too Friend!
This song from the "The Wind and the Wheat" which is my favorite instrumental CD. I always enjoy Phil's talent but more than that I enjoy his humble spirit and joyful guitar work. His ability to combine technical playing with a melody that speak to the soul is truly a gift from God.
This is probably the most beautiful guitar instrumental I have heard. It will take me many many many practices to master it. Keaggy what a beautiful soul you to share this gift of yours with us.
Every time I watch this video I feel a strong presence in the holy spirit! Phil Keaggy is truly anointed with the lord...WOW.. What is awesome is how he gives all the credit and glory to the father in heaven.. because he was given the gift of music....to Praise lord Jesus for all the wonderful things that he has done for his people.
Phil is arguably the most talented guitarest to ever play, we are fortunate to be his contemporaries. He is still producing and playing music. I've met him, and my Dad actually went on a cruise with him and he was quite personable and down to earth. Interestingly, sometimes I hear someone say he got "such and such" style from another band, until you check the pruduction dates, and realize it was the other way around. He is a pioneer and a gifted soul and a devote Christian.
this is amazing! I met Phil Keaggy this summer at Creation Festival East. He is such a humble, godly man! He is so talented, and he uses it all for the glory of God!
Every good & perfect gift comes from God... artists who don't know God yet, will tell you they don't know how they come up with songs etc. but they know it's "not them" or "something comes upon them"...etc you've heard it...but when an artist comes to know God through Jesus Christ (which is the only way to come to Him) they immediately give praise to God & refuse to take any glory for themselves for they know (as Phil does) that every good & perfect gift is from God
To me this song speaks of the journey of a a life is it struggles and learns from god and begins to understand, leading to its end and its unification with him.
i met Phil in a Bible study in KC . we had both lived there in the 80s for short time . we would jam at each others shows and in his basement . it was surreal . great guy . I think his masterpiece is '' March of the Clouds ''.
I have been playing guitar for 25 years and listening to music for over 35 years. I think Phil Keaggy is maybe the best guitarist ever. His body of work is unmatched. His use of technology and embracing new techniques, technology, and mediums has been nothing short of groundbreaking. I know of no other musician who can play or span so many musical genres.
My first exposure to Phil Keaggy was "The Master and the Musician" LP I purchased in 1981. I've seen him in concert a few times, and he continually inspires me. He's a genius with the guitar.
who would click the dislike button on this? I mean, there is nothing offensive or convicting to anyone it's just a tasty piece of beautiful music by one of the greatest guitarists alive... whats to dislike??? I'm just sayin'.....
Artists like Phil Keaggy never did and never would become mainstream (unfortunately), two reasons being is that he has amazing talent and number two being that he is a strong Christian. Those looking for real music often have to look outside of the mainstream.. and that's a good thing, leaves all the real music to people that have good ears and can appreciate it.
Phil Keaggy is one of the best guitarists ever imho. I first heard this composition back in 1988 when I purchased his "Wind and the Wheat" album. I have never heard a better guitar composition, not even from Phil Keaggy. It's flawless!
the thing that so incredible about phil is that I'm convinced he just improvises and comes up with a "one off" perfect sounding composed work, when in reality he's just so talented he can feel his way through and it sounds perfect instead of starting with a concept and perfecting it more and more over a period of time. you can tell in alot of guys playing that it's that way.
An interviewer once asked Eric Clapton what it felt like to be the best guitarist in the world & Eric said, "I dunno....ask Phil Keaggy". Thanks for posting. There isn't enough Keaggy on youtube!
This is a most magnificent recording......Better than ever I've heard.......Most astounding guitar and so professional..... Talent ...This Guy is at best ... the best....
I have seen Phil in concert five times and everytime is a total treat and completely different from the previous concert. A true genius on his instrument. Note the half missing finger on his picking hand !!
He did indeed put on a fantastic show yesterday morning. He really got into it and I think he fed off some of our enthusiasm. What a fantastic guy and guitarist!
I remember going to see Glass Harp in the 70"s playing around the Kent Ohio area. Keaggy was mesmerizing. I would lay back close my eyes when he would solo and be transported to guitar heaven...Wow amazing.
Honestly, in terms of originality and influence, Phil Keaggy is like Rory Gallagher, a complete innovater in his own right, I hear so many guitarist's styles that are obviously inspired by his music, Jeff Martin, Andy Mckee, Jimmy Walhsteen, and Antoine Dufour to name a few. I think Phil Keaggy BLOWS MY MIND!
It amazes me that there is so many good musicians out there and it seems like a good majority of them do not get noticed. One thing I love about Keaggy is that he inspires you.
I've been following Phil since long time ago. He's not just an amazing guitar player. He's an incredible, complete musician. He's inspired my guitar playing a lot, and because of him I started tuning my acoustic guitar DADGAD. There are lots of great guitarists that have become world famous with a little help of RU-vid: Don Ross, Antoine Dufour, Andy McKee, Craig D'Andrea, and so on... I really hope more and more people get to know Phil's outstanding talent through this media.
I second that. He is a legend, his raw skill can compare to anyone on the planet....... ever. Even jazz greats like larry carlton and Lou Reid. And the best part is, he does it all for GOD'S GLORY.
Get the story right you guys: Once Jimi hendrix, Eric clapton, SRV and Carlos santana were having lunch, and they all asked me who my favorite guitarist was and I said Phil Keaggy.
When Phil was with The Glass Harp, his drummer was John Sferra. John's cousin was a good friend of mine. When Glass Harp went to New York to record their first album, they were in Electric Ladyland Studios and saw a list Jimi had posted on his office wall of the 10 best guitarists he had ever heard, Phil Keaggy was number one.
Good on him for keeping his faith. Lets not let that somehow take away from this man's skill. It makes me sad that I will likely never reach this level, even with faith on my side. Truly inspiring
I'm a big fan of John Petrucci and Joe Satriani, but I'd rank this guy above either of them in a heartbeat. His work isn't just music, it's art... it's a craft, and he is a master artisan. The fact that he is a Christian artist is even more awesome. What better way to show God's glory than through the music of one of the best musicians on the planet?
Phil K and Tommy E. Two of the best acoustic players on the planet. Phil however earns rewards in Heaven. At the very least annointed on earth for a higher purpose.
This is personally the best song I have ever heard played on guitar and that is putting it up against anything that Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn or Eddie Van Halen have played. The whole argument about who is the best is always going to come down to pure subjectivity, but there is no one I enjoy hearing playing the guitar better than Phil Keaggy. I have literally listened to 'The Wind and The Wheat' for hours on end and it will probably always be my favorite of Phil's.
As a lover of music, and a believer in God, it saddens me that even in the presence of such beauty we reduce ourselves to rhetoric. Why not just listen to the music and allow its source speak to our heart?
If you read the background on this song it's about a family reunion he went to as a kid where his uncle got drunk and made a speech with all sorts of racial slurs. Ha not really, but wouldn't that be random!? Anyway, this is one great piece of music.
Thanks for this post. Trully Keaggy is one of the best guitarist. Back then, I didnt know Phil until I first saw him played a Christian tune at 700 Club back in the mid 80's. Hope that clip of him be posted here.
I saw him play this at a concert in Anaheim, CA. I originally thought he used 2 or more tracks and was blown away to watch him play the whole thing live.
