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Artist: Randy Stonehill & Phil Keaggy
Producer: Candlelight Concerts
Time: DVD - approx. 2 hours, CD - 13 tracks, 73:18 minutes
Randy Stonehill and Phil Keaggy are pioneers in Contemporary Christian Music. They both have been performing for more than 30 years. Having become friends along the way, they have performed on each other’s recordings, producing some memorable duets.
This concert captures them performing some of them—including out-of-print material and a couple of never recorded songs. They perform separate sets and then join together for five songs at the end.
Phil Keaggy opens the DVD with outstanding acoustic performances of "The True Believers," "Salvation Army Band" and "The Wind and the Wheat." If you have not seen Keaggy perform by himself recently, prepare to be amazed. He uses recording equipment that he controls with his feet to continually create loops, which make for layers of sound. You must see it on DVD to fully appreciate it. He creates unimaginable sounds. His guitar playing should be considered one of the man-made wonders of the world.
Randy Stonehill opens with "Hand of God" from 1998’s Thirst and follows with a new song, "Spirit Walk." The latter is classic Stonehill—a gritty perfomance carried by a blues riff that includes a conversation with the devil. He also does a stellar rendering of one of the best songs on Thirst, the moving "Angels’ Wings."
Randy’s songwriting is at times reminiscent of the late Mark Heard. It’s been underrated for too long. Give the edge to Phil for doing what few can do with a guitar but to Stonehill for relaying relevant stories and experiences through his lyrics. He ends "Spirit Walk" singing that he hopes that his thoughts have been useful.
They always have been, with the possible exception (I say this jokingly) of when he runs wild with his humor, as he does on the next song. On "Shut de Do’" Stonehill gives free reign to his zany side. In a world of sobering realities, it provides some much-needed humor.
One of the highlights is the duet that was originally recorded to support the work of Compassion International. It’s poignant lyrics and beautiful chords make "Who Will Save the Children?" a classic. "Shades of Green," the Celtic-flavored instrumental performed by Keaggy, is another standout. If you did not see him standing alone with his guitar, you might believe that he was playing with a band. He weaves a tapestry of sound fitting for an Irish song.
Keaggy does not pick up his electric guitar until near the end when the duo perform "Keep Me Runnin’" and "Sunday’s Child." The CD ends with the encore song, "Old Clothes." It’s sung and played tenderly by Stonehill with Keaggy giving an understated performance on electric guitar.
The DVD and CD content differ slightly. The DVD contains three songs plus one bonus song ("Chalice") not found on the CD. The CD contains two songs, including a beautiful version of George Harrison’s "Here Comes the Sun," that are not on the DVD.
As far as I know, this is the first time that Keaggy has recorded the Beatles song. The beauty and nostalgia is enough to bring tears to your eyes. It’s too bad that it’s not on the DVD, but it’s great to have it on the CD.
One of the surprises seen on the DVD is the number of older adults in the crowd. They and the rest of the crowd are an appreciative and enthusiastic group, which adds to the feel of the event.
Give Bob Kilpatrick, who was at the helm on Stonehill’s last recording (Edge of the World 2002), credit for producing this memorable and enjoyable performance.
The DVD and CD can be purchased separately, but to get all the songs and receive the best value, you can get the set for $40, which includes the cost of shipping.
Michael Dalton
March 27, 2006
