Phil Keaggy - Blue (CD)

All Music Guide

Marketed as a "rock version of Crimson and Blue," this takes many of the best songs from that release, throws in a couple of outtakes, and delivers a collection not noticeably different in style from the original. Several of the gentler, quieter songs from Crimson and Blue are excluded, but this is by no means simply a chance for Keaggy to show off his soloing abilities. He does do this on the harder songs such as "Doin' Nothin'," "Don't Pass Me By," and "John the Revelator," but there are also songs like the more introspective "Everywhere I Look," "All Our Wishes," and particularly Van Morrison's "When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God." In fact, it is difficult to determine how it was decided which songs would be included on the "rock version," as one of Crimson and Blue's strongest songs ("Stone Eyes") is not found here. Blue does include several new songs, including a cover of the Badfinger tune "Baby Blue," the Keaggy original "All Our Wishes," and a long, formless musical dialogue... between Keaggy and drummer John Sferra, "The Further Adventures of..."...A good release, but should not replace Crimson and Blue in anyone's collection, although it's a nice supplement. - Marc Castellani, All Music Guide Read more Less