Reviewed by Steven Bridge

It was in the summer of 1989 on a Christian youth camp in Caernarvon that I came across the mood song "Motor Of Love" by Paul McCartney on an album called 'Flowers In The Dirt'. At the time I thought it was a very spiritual track and over the years I often considered it to be apt material for Phil Keaggy's fabled 'McCartney' singing-style. 11 years later I nearly spluttered over my corn flakes to discover this very song featured on Guitar Grand Master (or was that Grandfather?) Keaggy's new offering 'Inseparable'. Although not quite in the same vein as the ex-Beatles' original it was well worth another airing. Keaggy's latest vocal project -his 26th album since 1973 - is as creative as ever with a rich variety of sounds and effects, but at times seems dated. Yet although too reliant on monotonous drum loops in places, there is still enough for the Keaggy fan to enjoy. Highlights include the title track "Inseparable", "Chalice", "Litany To The Spirit", "Whose Heavy Heart" and "Headlines (Part II)" which is an instrumental cut. Special mention must be made to the blues jazz track "From The Beginning" which has an interesting mix of some sampled backward guitar and funky horns. However, it was the evocative "Contemplate The Moon" that received star billing and endless playing from my 13 year old daughter Rebecca. With 17 tracks and 70 minutes of music, 'Inseparable' is a worthy release on the new Word label Artisan for carefully crafted and controlled artistic output - which may not yield a high sales return. And if you really want to capitalise on a return for your money, the original 2-CD special limited edition of 'Inseparable' is still available online at www.philkeaggy.com ($18.95 + $3.50 carriage = £16): 21 tracks and 86 minutes. But this is not just about quantity, with Keaggy you get quality. With all the new talent bursting out into the new millennium Keaggy may not be in vogue, but his creative music ministry still merits a wider hearing.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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