New from Keaggy & Stonehill: MYSTERY HIGHWAY

I am not be the most unbiased reviewer of a Phil Keaggy album because I have been a fan of his marvelous playing for years. But it still isn't in my estimation difficult to determine which Keaggy albums better stand the test of time. To give a little perspective, here are my favorite:

Top 5 Vocal in Random Order:

Crimson & Blue

Sunday's Child

Find Me in These Fields

Love Broke Thru

Emerging

Top 5 Instrumental

220

Beyond Nature

Lights of Madrid

Wind & the Wheat

Master & Musician

He's had some missteps along the way. Remember the 2 disc Inseperable album? I must admit beyond a couple decent songs it is highly forgetable.

The other pioneer who teams up with Keaggy on Mystery Highway has not nearly been as prolific throughout the years. Of course, Randy's first album is a CCM classic - one of the best. I also enjoyed the rocking WILD FRONTIER and 1994's grown up effort LAZARUS HEART.

So as they team up for their first full-length collaboration, how did they do?

This album is FUN and it ROCKS. These guys are doing what they do best producing up-beat retro rock that is catchy and invigorating. The production is top-notch and to hear Keaggy once again crank up electric for his best rocking vocal effort since Crimson & Blue is well worth the entrance price.

It kicks off with three raucous rockers WHO'S YOUR DRIVER, BACKWARDS ON HER BIKE, ROCKIN' IN A HARD PLACE with Keaggy flexing his guitar prowess.

A couple of the best tunes on the album are not outright rockers. The country-fied PICTURE POSTCARD PERFECT DAY is wonderful! LOVE IS NOT THE ONLY THING is a great guitar ballad - the only one on the album by the way.

ROCKMAN is the clear winner if silly fun with a rock edge is what you are looking for. Stonehill starts off with a weird vocal intro which morphs into a funky rock anthem "talking about the funky little rockman." You can picture Randy staring right at Phil as he sings this and Phil answers back with his seering guitar. Crank this one up and your kids will love it.

Mystery Highway is a breath of fresh air from the 60s & 70s (if that even makes sense). It's Phil and Randy at their best - having fun and playing music they love. That translates into music that you'll love. Enjoy!

The FRAY - Mini-Album Review

The second offering from The Fray is the self titled The Fray. The Fray is not a Christian band, per se, but it is a band made up of Christians. Check out this Christianity Today interview from 2006 to cover that ground: http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2006/thefray-0706.html

You might ask if the Righteous comes through in the Rock? Well, maybe. The lyrics are focused on the themes of loss, love and survival in a world surrounded by problems. The Fray has put together a group of catchy, if not consuming songs which stay with you.

Sounds Like: Take Switchfoot, remove the edgier guitars, add in some Jars of Clay and round it out with some piano and you'll begin to get a feel for The Fray.

Best Tune: You Found Me
This is a great tune. Some might question why the writer is being so hard on God - "Where were You when everything was falling apart?...Lost and insecure, You found me, lying on the floor, surrounded, why'd you have to wait, where were you, where were you, just a little late. You Found Me..." I believe this song is an honest cry out to God asking how He could have left me feel so abandoned in my time of need. However, the song never tells us what God's reply is. This is a one sided song from human perspective.

Other Can't Miss Downloads:
Say When
Enough for Now
Absolute

If you are looking for overt Christian songs, this is not the album for you. If you like to hear well crafted tunes dealing with real-life heartaches and trials, check it out.

One other comment I will make is that the Fray might be a little more purposeful with their lyrics. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Christians singing non-Christian songs. I'm all for crossover, mainstreaming Christians. However, it wouldn't take much to tweak a lyric here or there that might provide a glimpse of hope or purpose for someone without throwing your religion in someone's face. I think there is gentle balance that Christians can use to bridge the gap. This is not meant as a criticism, just an observation. What do you think?

Playlist - Fri March 20

As in our impromptu poll, the 1970s music is taking a beating! Today was no different. Here is our playlist and ratings. Things can only get better, right?

All Saved Freak Band
All Across the Nation 2.2 stars (comments: boring, same music over and over)

Seek Him 2.18 stars (Ouch! comments: "I think they wrote this song right on stage before they went on)

PETRA
Wake up (1974) 2.9 stars (Comments: "I see why they have long musical interludes because their lyrics and their vocals are terrible."

Lovesong
Little Country Church 3.1 stars

Charles McPheeters & the Bible Belt Boogie Band
Ain't Got No Time rating undefined (his voice was too unique!)

See you next week!

Just the Facts Album Review - Francesca Battistelli

Album: Francesca Battistelli - My Paper Heart

Style: Guitar driven pop

First Adjectives in My Mind: QUALITY - FUN - UPBEAT - HIT THE HIGHWAY & ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS

Voice - Forget the sweet syrupy cookie cutter voices that hit the airwaves - Francesca has a refreshing, real, earthy voice that a breath of fresh air. She has some slight country flair a la Susan Ashton.

TOP 5 Best Bet Downloads:
"Free to Be Me"
"Blue Sky"
"Unpredictable"
"Beautiful, Beautiful" - Can't get it out of my head (but in a good way)
"Forever Love" - Worshipful!

Songs to Skip: None

Bottom Line: Francesca has put out a fun and impressive debut that I will enjoy many times over. There's nothing earth-shattering or groundbreaking, but it's a great, enjoyable pick me up. Highly recommended!

RR Rating: *****

Session 3: Glass Harp - The One Song Session

One Song - Can you see me? **** 1/2

from the Live! Circa 72 DVD

Us Righteous Rockers settled in with some food and drink and enjoyed the one song session - a 28 minute feast of toe-tapping jamming! Highlights:

Phil Keaggy solos on his Les Paul. He dazzled with his fret work, improv and creativity. Comments consisted of "...this is Jimmy Hendrix quality...", "...when have you ever scene a better guitar solo?" It was ***** 5 stars all around for Keaggy's virtuosity, except that is for Saarah who gave his fret work a *** much to the chagrin of the rest of us Righteous Rockers.

John Sferra equally impressed with his tantilizing drum solo. ***** 5 stars all around - except for Saarah who commented "...I've seen better drummers...". She received some dirty looks.

Dan Pecchio only scored a *** 3 stars for his flute work. Sorry Dan!

The 70s fashions ran dead last with only * star. Sorry parents!

But, the dancing guy in the red plaid shirt at the end scored a bunch of ***** stars for his unorthodox (and somewhat scary) dance moves!

If you haven't seen this DVD before, you owe it to yourself to check it out!

Winner!

Congratulations to George Merusi! He correctly identified all of the artists and groups in the RR challenge. As his reward, he has won the CD Very Best of Whiteheart! Don't you remember what a great live show Whiteheart was? The CD includes the classics Invitation, More Sold Out, How Many Times, Desert Rose, etc... Of course, I don't know how you have a best of Whiteheart without Independence Day? Oh well, still a good intro to the classic 80s, 90s band. Enjoy George!

Session II - Playlist

Ouch! We had some pretty harsh critics during session II. Trey said Paul Clark's tune started out like a kid's song. Saarah said Gentle Faith's tune reminded her of Pokemon which brought her rating UP to 2 stars! (Brutal!) Even the heavenly harmonies of 2nd Chapter of Acts didn't impress. Oh, well. It's fun to be critic, isn't it? Here our play list and average song ratings. What do you think?

Second Chapter of Acts

Last Day of My Life *** 3 stars

Yahweh *** 3.5 stars

Agape Band
Voyaging Pilgrim **2.5 stars

Phil Keaggy (1973) - From his very first solo album
What a Day *** 3.5 stars

Paul Clark (with some help from Phil Keaggy)
Holding onto You *** 3 stars

Gentle Faith
Love for You ***3 stars
This song gets stronger as it goes. Do you like the jazzy pre-chorus?
Livin' in the Sunshine **2.5 stars

RR Challenge

Our new Righteous Rock challenge for our new RR cohort. How many of the artists to the right can you name? If you are an experienced Righteous Rocker, I'm sure you can do it without breaking a sweat or a string on your guitar.

40 years!

RR just wants to remind everyone that 2009 commemorates the 40th anniversary of Larry Norman's ground-breaking album "Upon This Rock". Maybe it's time to revisit (or visit for the first time) this classic album!

Righteous Rock I is Back!

We start off a new exciting semester of Righteous Rock - where else? - at the beginning! Here is our play list for day 1:

Larry Norman - You Can't Take Away the Lord (1969)

Larry Norman - Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation (1969)

Barry McGuire - Eve of Destruction (1965)

Glass Harp - David & Goliath/I'm going Home/Do Lord (1972)

How's that for starters?