4/5
Uncut gems is a collaborative album by Muriel Anderson and Phil Keaggy performing in Keaggy’s studio. Anderson is a fingerstyle and harp guitarist mentored by Chet Atkins. Many of the tracks here are improvised. It’s not always clear who plays lead. I’m going to use the writing credits as a guide.
The album starts off with Anderson’s “Where The Heart Is,” a peaceful song with a strong melody which is followed by Keaggy’s “Tennessee Morning.” An incredible version that feels a lot more at home here than on Keaggy’s rock album 220. “Corazon De Fuego,” is the album’s highlight. It first appeared on Keaggy’s Lights of Madrid album. The classical guitar piece starts off lively then settles down into a quiet plod that swells into a fast bridge and a complicated coda. At over nine minutes, the duo make their craft appear easy. Deceptively so.
Uncut gems slows back down for Anderson’s jazzy “Owl Psalm.” It would be rerecorded for her 2005 album, Wildcat. “Osaka” comes next featuring percussion credited to both Anderson and Keaggy. The song ups the tempo and has more sonic depth than most of the tracks on the album. “Groove Thing” feels a bit out of place. Its a spacey jam with what I believe to be looped in percussion that doesn’t fit well. It builds decently but ends up more showy than good. Probably the weakest track on the album. The album ends with “Spontaneity,” a quiet piece that meanders peacefully before ending in a surprise swell and laughter.
Uncut gems is an amazing little album worth tracking down. Muriel Anderson released uncut gems as a limited release in 2003. Keaggy would put 7 of the 8 tracks onto Precious Gems in 2020.