Strings Attached

Description

Strings Attached, sub-titled Live with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, is a double disc live album by the American power rock trio Glass Harp featuring guitarist Phil Keaggy, independently released on Special Friends Productions in June 2001. The live album was recorded October 22, 2000 at Powers Auditorium in Youngstown, Ohio.

This double album marked the return of Glass Harp; they have had their reunions but now they are back! Recorded at their hometown, Youngstown Ohio, this album shows the full range of Phil Keaggy’s amazing, jaw-dropping skill on the guitar. There are the tracks like the electric guitar-driven opener «Look In The Sky» to the acoustic «Overture For Guitar And Orchestra» which show the versatility of Keaggy, from fast-driven electric guitar, to the quieter yet intricate acoustic playing. There is a wonderfully effective acoustic version of «True Believer». There are new songs like the catchy «From The Beginning», which is more jazz than rock, to the Glass Harp theme song «Can You See Me» which has some great guitar work making it the best recorded version of this song I have heard. «John The Revelator» has become Keaggy’s signature piece and the version here has some of the best guitar playing on the album. The three-piece band are good on their own and here they are joined by friends and the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra which just adds to the aural pleasure of this album. This is a superb album, any faults are hardly noticable against the consistently high standards of this album. [Martin Emerson, Cross Rhythms, January 2003]

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. [Chris MacIntosh, The Phantom Tollbooth, 7/17/2001]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/glass-harp-strings-attached-live-with-the/430669816)

2CD tracklist:

Disc One

1-01. Introduction (feat. Smokin’ Bill, Jerry Star & Lynn Davis) – 1:15
1-02. Look In the Sky – 10:20
1-03. From the Beginning (feat. Chris Queen, Harden Butcher, Mike Nero & Matt Corey) – 5:10
1-04. Song of Hope – 5:45
1-05. Chalice (feat. Chris Queen) – 6:17
1-06. Inseparable (feat. Chris Queen) – 5:46
1-07. John the Revelator (feat. Chris Queen) – 7:58
1-08. Children’s Fantasy (feat. Chris Queen & Teddy Pantelas) – 3:48
1-09. Never Is A Long Time – 3:15
1-10. Drum Solo – 2:35
1-11. David & Goliath – 3:26
1-12. I’m Going Home – 3:00
1-13. Do Lord – 4:05
1-14. True Believers – 6:14

Disc Two

2-01. Shades of Green – 5:35
2-02. Overture (for Guitar and Orchestra) (feat. Isaiah Jackson & Youngstown Symphony Orchestra) – 9:33
2-03. One Day At A Time (feat. Isaiah Jackson & Youngstown Symphony Orchestra) – 4:19
2-04. Garden (feat. Kathryn Thomas Umble, Isaiah Jackson & Youngstown Symphony Orchestra) – 4:30
2-05. Black Horse (feat. Isaiah Jackson & Elizabeth Jones) – 3:01
2-06. Southbound (feat. Kathryn Thomas Umble, Isaiah Jackson & Youngstown Symphony Orchestra) – 4:05
2-07. Mountains (feat. Chris Queen) – 4:29
2-08. Days Gone By (feat. Isaiah Jackson, Chris Queen & Youngstown Symphony Orchestra) – 4:17
2-09. Let the Bells Ring (feat. Isaiah Jackson, Chris Queen & Youngstown Symphony Orchestra) – 5:30
2-10. Child of the Universe (feat. Ted Pecchio, Chris Queen, Harden Butcher, Mike Nero & Matt Cory) – 4:21
2-11. Changes (In the heart of My Own True Love) (feat. Kathryn Thomas Umble, Isaiah Jackson, Chris Queen & Youngstown Symphony Orchestra) – 6:26
2-12. Can You See Me (feat. Kathryn Thomas Umble, Isaiah Jackson, Chris Queen & Youngstown Symphony Orchestra) – 7:56
2-13. Tender Love (feat. Isaiah Jackson, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Chris Queen & Tom Howard) – 5:11

Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://glassharp.bandcamp.com/album/strings-attached-live-with-the-youngstown-symphony-orchestra

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