The Master & The Musician: 30 Years Later
What everyone is saying...

Mark Bacus:
"Phil's Master and the Musician tour concert at St. Charles, Missouri last night was a phenomenal event. I'm speechless, frankly. I hope to gather my thoughts and impressions and report here soon. In the zillion years I've been attending Phil's concerts and promoting them, both intimate solo ones and cool band gigs, this M&M event is the crowning jewel. I was repeatedly overwhelmed, brought to tears, awe struck by the arrangements -- which, by the way, were extremely faithful to the album. What a joy -- what a treat. Of course, for anyone who grew in their Christian walk with the Master and the Musician album as a companion for that journey, then this concert was a deep, satisfying reunion. But I can imagine that the concert must be a wonderful, meaningful surprise for newcomers to this music. One thing I know -- no one could possibly leave this experience untouched or unmoved.

An evening with Phil is always a marvelous mixture of being entertained and fulfilled by incredible composition and execution of his guitar -- you're witness to invention, passion, and warmth - and those elements are all tied to virtuosity. What an incredibly rare blend!

But this evening included the eclectic talents of fellow musicians - Ric Hordinski's technical genius on guitars, John Sferra's percussive brilliance, Tom Shinness' versatility on several strings instruments, Joel Jimenez's solid bass foundation, Bryan Lautenbach's stability and innovation on keyboards and Melissa Lautenbach's sweet voice and artful use of flutes, recorders, and whistles. What a one of a kind gathering of musicians. I'll just never be the same after having shared the evening with them.

Be aware, my friends, that you must do what you can, as Phil's core fan base, to get to one of these tour dates -- and for mercy's sake, spread the word!

Floating on cloud nine today after having been a part of Keaggy history last night."

John Melvin:
"Last night's show was incredible! There were points in the show were I was absolutely speechless. (Yes - I had no speech) I saw Phil & the Gang two weeks ago in St. Charles, MO and last night's show definitely topped it. The band was very tight, yet more "loose" at the same time. Phil's solos during "Follow Me Up" and "Time" were ferocious. Lots of smiling and laughing on stage as well.

Last night we were fortunate enough to get [an encore]. It was neat to see "As the Ruin Falls" live. And the "What A Day" finale was great fun. The entire audience was on their feet clapping and singing along. It was the first time it ever felt like I was actually jamming with Phil. A good time was had by all.

Phil & Band - Once again you made the 2.5 hour trip from St. Louis well worth it. "

John Hatch:
"My wife and I drove 3 hours from Dubuque, Iowa to the M&M concert at Judson. She was just as excited as I was, which is saying a lot!

To be honest, one of the highlights of the concert for me was hearing Tom play his harp guitar. I'd never seen one played before, and he played it incredibly well. I bought his CD and have been enjoying it.

The band exceeded our expectations. They executed the songs from M&M beautifully and went off on some enjoyable improvisational tangents as well. John Sferra's drum solo in the middle of "Jungle Pleasures" was stunning, as were many of Phil's guitar solos. My wife loved "Let Everything Else Go," which she'd never heard, and now she wants to learn it so we can do it ourselves sometime.

Phil did a delightful job as a musician and as a personable performer. There wasn't a dull or sour moment in the whole concert.

Thanks to Phil and crew for taking an incredible musical experience on the road. This was probably the best contemporary music concert I've ever experienced."

Mark Fisher:
"It [Marion, IL] was a great show. Phil really loosed up and enjoyed himself. he was particularly happy with "Follow Me Up", and he had reason to be. It was a tight arrangement. The whole night was really fun. A guitar professor I know from SIU-C was in attendance and was amazed and delighted with the whole evening."

Dan Johnson:
"I just got back from the Master and the Musician tour in Tacoma, and I have to echo everyone else's comments about this tour--wow! I particularly enjoyed Melissa's contributions. I've always loved PK songs that include flutes and recorders, and to hear them live in concert was a real treat. It was great seeing John Sferra and Ric live for the first time and Tom Shinness was simply amazing. The non-M&M set list seemed similar to other shows. Phil did open the concert with "Here Comes the Sun," and and one point someone yelled out for Phil to play "Sounds"--and he did!"

Bob Keeley:
Bob has posted a detailed review on his blog.

Mike Will:
"I saw Phil and band on May 10th at Church for all Nations in Tacoma, WA. It was great in many ways. I actually had chill in my neck during "Pilgrim's Flight. The way Phil presented himself on stage was graceful, as he interacted with each band member throughout the evening. I felt that Phil was communicating wonderfully with his mates. At one point I felt like he was thoroughly enjoying that the musicians were helping him to share the music the LORD had given to him with the audience. Phil is getting better each time that I see him. Thanks for coming to the great, pacific northwest."

Cheers, Mike (originally from Cleveland)"

Jim Hunt:
"I got a chance to see the Getzville NY show May 16th. Phil was awesome as usual. The band that he put together was outstanding. John Sferra (What can you say) GREAT! It was great to hear the old songs like Time (It Cranked), Love Broke Thru, What a Day, with a band. To hear Phil play those old solos was music to my ears.(The Les Paul was Screaming) Phil mentioned how listening to the album took him back in time. I think for all of us as well. Hearing that album back when I was but a teenager for the first time, I was really knocked out by it. To hear it years later live, the Holy Spirit really flowed through Phil and the Band that night. God Bless and Thanks Phil!!!"

Terry:
"My friends and I caught the show at the Virginia stop on the tour and we thought it was great. We all came away with the same thought , "God is truly playing through these people." The performances of every member of the band were out standing, truly master of their craft. Thanks for all the great music."

Scott B. Thielen:
"My wife Patti and I drove 4 hours from Yakima, Washington to see Phil and the band at Candlelight Fellowship in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho last Friday night. It was fantastic, just too short! We first encountered Phil in June 1977 at 'How the West Was Won' with Second Chapter of Acts and a Band Called David in Sacramento, California. We had never heard of Phil before that night and left there life-long Keaggy fans. I have now been pastoring for 25 years and have been to see him countless times and still love his music, old and new. One of the highlights at the concert was hearing Phil's composition 'Time' again. Thanks for the great night remembering the 'Master and the Musician' experience. And, as always, thanks Phil for showcasing your unparalleled guitar skills and amazing creativity in a way that moves me to speechless, joyful praise for our mighty Lord!"

Chuck Payne:
"I had not seen Phil in person for several years. He was great as usual. The supporting cast and band on the Master & Musician tour were great! What a dream come true for a guitar picker to tour with Phil. I really liked the format and playlist for the concert. I left inspired, humbled, and feeling like I had gotten my money's worth; but most important, I had been in the presence of greatness!"

Michael Stone:
"To Tom Shinness: I heard your music and saw you play for the first time just this past Saturday evening, May 10, in Tacoma. Phil Keaggy always amazes me, but you, bro, totally blew me away. You were all over that stage, playing so many different instruments, and playing each one flawlessly, and with great passion and flair. You certainly do put your heart and soul into your craft, and it shows. I am so amazed at the quality of musicians that I saw and heard on that stage with Phil Keaggy. I will never forget that evening as long as I live. Thanks so much for honing your craft, for allowing the Holy Spirit to use you in such a remarkably humble, yet beautiful way, and for sharing your gifts and talents with the masses. I felt honored to be in the audience. Never before has any music moved me so as it did that evening. Irish music, even instrumentals, can make me cry, but the passion and humility with which you all played on Saturday night was so intense that my heart remains stirred, even to this moment."

Roman, Julie & Coleson Amon:
"Words do not express the performance of this particular group of excellant muscians. The whole aray of songs and the presentation and illustration of the entire gammot of instruments was as good as it gets. The moment when John laid down and played drum on Phil's guitar was a never before seen event. Everyone seemed to be in the spirit of the evening and the timing was there. It was a once in a lifetime concert that probably will never escape our memory. Thanks to all involved for this different and amazing perspective of a very anointed God influenced set of songs."

Bert Saraco:
"The Joppa, MD 'Master' show was amazing! You guys can read my review and see some of my photographs at The Phantom Tollbooth here: http://www.tollbooth.org/2008/creviews/keaggy2.html
God bless" - Bert