4/5
Brothers and Friends is an album Phil Keaggy released on his Bandcamp site in 2020. According to Keaggy’s notes on the site, he and the late Tom Shinness recored the album between 2002 - 2008. Keaggy assembled the album from songs they wrote together, jam sessions and a live takes. It’s intended to raise funds to help cover Shinness’ hospital bills.
Shinness and Keaggy had taken the Master and Musician on tour for the album’s 30th anniversary and worked together on Keaggy’s Phantasmagorical: Master & Musician 2. In fact, three of the songs on Brothers and Friends were first used on Phantasmagorical, “Waltz,” “Caffeinated Dessert,” and “Far East of Cleveland.” Shinness is a multi-instrumentalist and fills the record with piano, cello, mandolin, bass, percussion, guitar, flute, zithers and probably more. Keaggy lays down mostly electric and acoustic guitars and the occasional bass. He also often employs loopers. For instrumental purists, a warning that two of the 12 tracks have vocals. There is also a little bit of chatter on the live track.
The album starts off with “The Ark,” a beautiful number that sounds like it could have been on Keaggy’s Master and Musician. Next is “Beautiful Collapse,” a piece recorded by Keaggy, Shinness and Jason Truby (formerly of P.O.D.). On this version, Shinness’ daughter sings very nice, haunting, vocals. “Caffeinated Dessert,” Is a super fun track that shows off how well Shinness and Keaggy play together. Up next is the fun “Mando & Guitar Improv.” The track led by Shinness on the mandolin and its incredible. Hard to believe this is an improvised track.
“BCC Soundcheck,” ups the tempo for the bridge of the album. The track is a Shinness and Keaggy showing off on guitars with loopers and improvising. There’s a bit of laughter on the track as they enjoy themselves. “Guitar and Bass Improv,” is a an almost ten minute track of two masters. It’s actually an intricate piece that has lot of openness and space. A real treat. “Old Friends,” first appeared on Keaggy’s Music to Paint By: Still Life. Hearing the track out of context on the Still Life album made me appreciate it more. The album ends with a Keaggy vocal track from 2006’s Dream Again album that features Shinness.
The album’s a bit hodgepodge but It has some amazing new tracks on it that deserve attention.