Back in 1970, Decca Records released an album from a trio of kids from Youngstown, Ohio called Glass Harp. The atmosphere back in '70 was very much guitar oriented. Men like Jeff Beck, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Mick Taylor were considered in the upper echelon of rock royalty. When this group with a pint-sized player named Phil Keaggy arrived on the scene, people stood up and took notice. The band opened for groups such as Yes, Humble Pie, Traffic, The Kinks, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent and Grand Funk Railroad. They recorded three studio albums and a live recording done at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall before calling it quits after about three years. The band members, Phil Keaggy on guitar, drummer John Sferra, and bass player Daniel Pecchio, would get together every once in a blue moon to do a local show in Ohio, but that was it -- until now.
Recorded on October 22, 2000 in Youngstown, Ohio at Powers Auditorium with a few sidemen plus the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Strings Attached is the story of a magical night captured for posterity. For fans of Glass Harp this is indispensable, and for recent fans of Phil Keaggy who have never seen him play with a band, it is an absolute necessity. The man is superb by himself, but when he has other great players to work with, he is nothing short of brilliant. Such is the case on this album. Everyone connected with this project agrees that it stands as the band's finest moment. Let me be specific about one thing here and now -- this is not a Phil Keaggy album with backup players helping out. Glass Harp was and still is a trio of extraordinary players. Thirty years ago they were one of the hottest live bands around, and not bragging but pointing out a fact, they still are.
The recording clocks in at just about two hours and twenty minutes and includes twenty-six songs. Some are old; some are new; all are great. The project was produced by the band with Daniel Pecchio taking the reins as executive producer. Each member of the group takes on the lead vocal chores on different songs and all of their voices are in fine shape. The numbers which are accompanied by the orchestra are awesome.
5 tocks
Similar sounding releases
2003Charlie ReadRead Between the Lines
1997Phil Keaggy / Wes King / Scott DenteInvention
2001Mark ProtusThe Future That Used To Be
1998Larry NormanCopper Wires
199716 HorsepowerLow Estate
2000Andy ThorntonThe Things You Never Say
