Description
Inseparable is a solo album by the American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Phil Keaggy, released on Word Entertainment/Word Artisan in 2000. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Phil Keaggy at Kegworth Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
‘Inseparable’ is largely a vocal album with some instrumental tracks. The lyrical content flows from Keaggy’s appreciation of contemplative devotional literature. The songs and the musical arrangements express a desire for closer communion with the Lord, deliverance from a world of strife, and hope in the resurrection of the faithful in Christ.
Musically, Keaggy draws from various traditions and styles that appeal to him, such as classical, jazz, rock, gospel, contemporary worship and even reggae. Overall, the album conveys a rather futuristic sound. Apparently, the influence here is the music of Bjork, the young Icelandic woman who is “out there” on the cutting edge of popular music.
The seventeen tracks for ‘Inseparable’ were recorded in Keaggy’s home studio, allowing him to perform all of the vocals and instrumentals (guitars, keyboard, and percussion programing). Live drums are featured on some tracks. He takes advantage of MIDI technology to quite convincingly create the sounds of wind and brass instruments through his guitar, although in spots he comes close to overdoing rhythm effects.
The introspective mood of the CD is set with the brief «Prelude», a melodious progression of chords with echoing church bells and signature percussive guitar tapping. The writings of C.S. Lewis and Oswald Chambers inspired the opening song, «Chalice». This mellow, acoustical piece celebrates the refreshment of the Lord’s table: “When suffering restores us, burns away the empty shallowness and softening the heart, to be broken bread and poured out wine.”
The title track «Inseparable» introduces the more aggressive, technological sound. It is a gripping, mystical vision of Jesus reaching out to touch and heal. A rousing instrumental reprise of this song is included near the end of the CD. «Litany of the Spirit» is a 17th century poem by Englishman Robert Herrick, a call for deliverance in evil times which Keaggy sings with desperation. The musical setting is completely modern, as the lyric passes into a synthesized orchestral composition that evokes a science fiction horror. Yet, the song begins and ends with a gentle chorus of “Kyrie Eleison…Christe Eleison.”
The album includes a delightful cover of Paul McCartney’s «Motor of Love», which Keaggy regularly performs in concert. Another concert favorite is «Real Life». Hard to call it a song; it is more of a dramatic interpretation, with backward loops and subliminal voices, of the gathering of the martyrs before the Lamb in Revelation.
Both of the new CDs – ‘Inseparable’ as well as the instrumental album ‘Lights of Madrid‘ – were completed over two years ago, as Keaggy waited for business issues to be resolved. His record label, Myrrh was uninterested in releasing ‘Inseparable’. ‘Lights of Madrid’ was to be distributed by the now defunct Unison division. Keaggy was ready to abandon the mainstream Christian music industry. Word Music Group, the parent company of Myrrh, foresaw the shame of losing a talent like Keaggy and created a new label for him – Word Artisan. Hopefully, this will be a home for Phil Keaggy and his guitar to continue exploring and creating wonderful music for our souls. [Stephen O. Moshier, Wheaton College Record, November 2001]
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’ features 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. [Steven Bridge, Cross Rhythms, February 2001]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/inseparable/1167810190)
CD tracklist:
01. Prelude – 0:55
02. Chalice – 5:58
03. Blessed Are – 4:25
04. Inseperable – 4:39
05. Litany to the Spirit – 6:44
06. Motor of Love – 5:44
07. Still Waters – 4:04
08. Carry Me Back – 3:40
09. Real Life – 3:13
10. The Seeing Eye – 4:15
11. Headlines, Pt. 2 – 3:12
12. From the Beginning – 3:13
13. Comtemplate the Moon – 4:27
14. Whose Heavy Heart – 3:49
15. Inseperable – 4:56
16. Shape of the Journey – 2:44
17. Little Star – 3:32
Note: Released as both a single disc and as a Limited Edition double disc (sold in the mainstream as a single CD and from Phil Keaggy’s website as a 2 CD set). Available at Bandcamp: https://philkeaggy.bandcamp.com/album/inseparable-deluxe
Interviews, insights and influences for Lights of Madrid and Inseparable (starts at 7:35).
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