Lights of Madrid [Enhanced]

Editorial Reviews
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Phil Keaggy has been prolific of late, but most of his music has been available most directly to collectors through his Web site and other outlets. On Lights of Madrid he focuses on acoustic instrumental playing, with a noticeable Latin feel throughout.

An incredible soloist, easily the best-known and most respected guitarist in Christian music, here Keaggy does not rest on his laurels, but rather has created a dizzying spectrum of reflective sounds on this record's 15 tracks. Occasionally jazzy ("Last Call") or neo-classical ("Overture") in style, with a string section in accompaniment, it is the light Latin rhythms and nylon string sound ("Corozon," "Canarios," "Caliente" and the title track) that come as fresh wind from an established master of his instrument.

Most often praised for his electric technique and phenomenal use of gadgetry, here it's the person, his fingers and the sound vibrating from the guitar strings that deserve the applause. Not a series of familiar riffs, Keaggy's instrumental compositions show expertise as an overall musician and as a soulful player with something to say. -- Brian Quincy Newcomb (c) 2000 CCM Communications, Inc.

Lights of Madrid, Music, Phil Keaggy, CCM, Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian Music, Producer

Average customer rating:

Keaggy Lights Up the Stereo

Every Song Worth The CD

It's A Crowd Pleaser!

Phil at his best!

Brilliant, beautiful work

Lights of Madrid
Phil Keaggy
Manufacturer: Word Ent Thru Rec555
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004YRAN
Release Date: 2006-01-25

Tracks:

Lights of Madrid - Phil Keaggy,
Field of Flowers - John Catchings, Phil Keaggy
After the Rain - Phil Keaggy,
King's Horse - Phil Keaggy,
Lady Slippers - Phil Keaggy
Allegria - John Catchings, David Davidson, Phil Keaggy, , Andy Martin
Inspiration - Phil Keaggy
Coraze Fuego - Muriel Anderson, Phil Keaggy
Last Call - Phil Keaggy,
Picant Phil Keaggy,
Praise Dance - Eric Darken, Phil Keaggy,
Canarios - Phil Keaggy
Candlelight - Phil Keaggy, Keith Moore
Overture (For Guitar and Orchestra) - John Catchings, David Davidson, Phil Keaggy, Kris Wilkinson String Section,
Caliente - Phil Keaggy,
[CD-ROM Track] - Phil Keaggy

Customer Reviews:

Keaggy Lights Up the Stereo.......2007-01-10

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

Every Song Worth The CD.......2002-06-15

"Caliente" on Phil Keaggy's flamenco and Spanish influenced "Lights of Madrid" might be my favorite. But don't make me choose. 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!.......2002-03-24

Outstanding Album! What more can I say that hasn't been said already? ALL the songs on this CD are beautiful. I've played it for co-workers and fussy family members with nice remarks as a result. 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!.......2001-10-02

In my mind, Phil Keaggy is one of the most inconsistent artists around. 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). 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.

Brilliant, beautiful work.......2001-06-21

An album full of lovely Spanish/Latin compositions, stunning acoustic guitar work and lush, sensitive string arrangements.

The song transcriptions provided on Acrobat files are a fantastic bonus for guitarists.

Highly recommended!

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