Reviewed by Steven Bridge

Those who have been following Mr Keaggy for many years will know that since 1973's 'What A Day' this giant of just about every style of guitar playing is a true maestro while his singing, at times sounding uncannily like McCartney, makes all his vocal albums well worth a listen. Somehow this 2016 release has escaped the Cross Rhythms review machine until now but I would suggest that this is the award-winning veteran's best since 1993's 'Crimson And Blue'. The opening blues rock stonker "Mercy" is co-written with CCM stalwart Tommy Coombes and is a gem. It is followed by "Undertow" which includes Coombes and Phil's son Ian in the writing credits and again plays to Phil's strengths. In truth, 'All At Once' would have been a 10-square album if the 14 tracks here had been cut to 10 and kept the more middle of the road pop items (tracks five, six, seven and eight) for another release. But there is still much to investigate here. The super-catchy "Call The Doctor" had my wife ready to ring the GP after my strained attempts to sing it while the bluesy "Fearless Love" and "Not Be Moved" are top rate. Also thoroughly enjoyable is Phil's joint venture with veteran Ashley Cleveland on the soulful "Ezekiel". Well worth investigating.

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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