Well here’s another round of Back Room Trax…It’s fun to rediscover these moments of creativity… Here’s a bit of commentary:

Songs in the Air—originally recorded for the Glass Harp Synergy album in 1971, I rerecorded this version last year. Dear friend and GH drummer John Sferra played percussion for me on this.

John The Revelator 2021—Unlike the "Crimson and Blue" version, this takes a different twist. I rewrote the verses after having been to Israel and the Isle of Patmos where the Apostle John had the Revelation while imprisoned there. Sometime back in the past I thought of the old Cream song "Born Under A Bad Sign" and thought of that amazing drum beat…so I played the drums and utilized that groove. I did another version of this where the lead is on my Strat. This lead, I played a friend’s handmade guitar with humbuckers. I like how blues and Gospel lyrics combined make uplifting music.

The Joy Of Music—The acoustic you hear on this piece is my friend Paul Sansone. He’s an excellent guitarist. I join in with my electric and the combination is quite sweet! Paul composed this song.. I didn’t know the title so I simply call it “The Joy Of Music”.

Roadmakers— In the late 70s a friend shared this poem with me, called “Roadmakers”. It’s about the pioneers of faith. It left a deep impression on me. The author, I believe is V.H . Friedlaender. This recording was the 1st vocal tune I did on my newly purchased Teac Porta Studio in 1980. The intro chords were composed by my friend Alan Bradley.

Hands Of Time—My sister Geri penned this beautiful lyric and I composed the music. There is a version of this song on our shared album called “Brother and Sister” where we both sing. This version is my vocal only. I borrowed a friend’s 12 string acoustic guitar and I believe it was recorded in the mid 90s.

Instrument Of Your Peace— I believe this was an early 90s demo and I had completely forgot about this one. I can recall reading about St Francis of Assisi and then wrote this song. The bridge I believe was inspired by the Gospel account of the woman at the well.

The Gift—This pretty piece was composed with my long time friend Frank Avery. Bernadette and I met Frank and his sweet wife Lori back in 1974. We’ve shared many a joy and sorrows over our shared friendship. Bless you friends - Frank and Lori.

Lovely Jesus— I wrote this song in 1972. Bernadette was the 1st to sing it when we still yet to be married. Then Nedra Ross sang it around 1974. Then in 1975 I was invited to play on Nancy Honeytree’s beautiful album “Evergreen”. Nancy’s version will always be special to both me and Bern! There’s even a version of this sung by our daughter Alicia when she was about 6 years old.

Sitting On Top Of The World— This is an old time classic that I recorded this past year for a good friend of mine—to cheer him up. The version I did for him was a faux duet between Ringo S and Jerry L—you can hear it on “Special Occasions Deluxe”. I had a blast playing and singing this one. The Les Paul harmony solos I did actually came from another recording I did for friend and songwriter Pat Sullivan. I just adapted the solos and recorded “Sitting on top..in the same key and tempo then flew the solos in. Ain’t recording fun?!!

I Have You—I believe this was one of those throwaway improvs that I did in the early 2000s. I think I was “playing around”… with my Jamman Looper.

Disaster— I clearly remember writing this one in my California home studio on the Porta Studio—that 4 track cassette machine. The scary chords I had just recently learned prompted this song along with disturbing current news of drug addiction. The beautiful thing about the Gospel is that Jesus backs up His words with power to deliver and set free!

Captain Noah— Composed by the very talented Muriel Anderson. Muriel came round this past Spring and we recorded a couple of tunes. On this version I play electric guitar, bass and programmed a percussion loop. Muriel is playing her classical. Such a nice groove! I believe she is releasing this piece as well with my lead being on steel string acoustic.

The Bible Answer Man Theme- I was asked by my good friend Paul Young if I would come up with a jingle for the ministry and show. Sounds like I did…. It could’ve been in a Nancy Meyers film—haha!

Zacchaeus -Come on Down— recorded in 1998, this song was perfect for me to sing as old Zack and I are little folk. He had to see Jesus by climbing up a tree. I know how he felt..The tune was written by two notable songwriters—Chris Harris and Phil Madeira. This is one of the more pro sounding tracks in this collection. The opening voice is the talented Jodi Benson and this was from the Beginner’s Bible collection.

Improv (Aaron Roche and PK) — Aaron is a very fine guitarist and composer. A number of years ago he came to Nashville to visit. We have mutual friends and it happen to work out that we recorded two pieces… this is one of them. We just seemed to lock in spontaneously as we anticipated each others’ melodic response on our guitars.

Let It Be— What a beautiful Paul McCartney song—with or without singing! Good friends Lance Allen and Avery Bright invited me to play lead guitar on this recording this past year…I also played the bass. Lance is on acoustic—I believe he arranged it. Avery plays the strings. This piece has been heard all over the world on Spotify. Thanks guys for inviting me to play on this classic!

Sightsinger Music Jingle— recorded on my little Porta studio Costa Mesa CA, I used a Korg keyboard that had an arpeggiator built in. Sightsinger Music was a family owned music equipment store. The owners were awesome folks and I enjoyed getting my musical supplies there. I did this as a gift to them… It may have made it to the radio..

Law Of Liberty (2021)— My friend Brian Brookheart wrote the words. We’ve collaborated on several songs, one of which is “I Prayed For You”. Brian’s lyrics were no doubt inspired by James 1:25 “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” Every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father, and His only begotten Son sets us free—free indeed! I pray we as a nation would embrace God’s Holy Word and seek to live in freedom and good will, one with another!

The Two Of You (acoustic instrumental) I originally wrote the vocal version of this song for my niece and nephew to be “sweet Carolyn and John” around 1982. It’s found on my Underground album. John has passed into glory only a few years ago-He is sorely missed. He was a humble and precious soul—but he lives—because of Jesus—who has overcome death by His resurrection! I am proud of Carolyn for her perseverance and faith. Her sons also are amazing men whom I’m proud to be their uncle Phil!

Follow Me Onward (without lead guitar) This was a working track before I added lead. I also may have kept this track for a vocal version that my niece Moll Anderson was to sing to.

10 Years Ago— another gem from Paul Sansone. That’s Paul on acoustic and I’m on classical. Beautiful composition! As with track 3, I didn’t have a title, so I called it “10 Years Ago”, since it was about then we recorded this.

Goodnight, Sleep Tight— I wrote the music to Pam Mark Hall’s lyrics back in the Leawood KS days around 1979-80. What a nice way to end this collection. We also have heard that Pam has recently married. We wish and pray you both much happiness….

—phil keaggy Sept 1, 2023