The trio's fans were amazed by the lightning style, precise technique highly lyrical solos of the band’s 18 year old guitarist Phil Keaggy, who had the use of only nine fingers. Combined with the tasteful, rhythmic bass lines of Daniel Pecchio and the sharp, assertive drumming of John Sferra, Glass Harp created a wall of sound that thrilled sell-out crowds across the upper Midwest and beyond. They garnered a large and loyal regional following. National notoriety followed when they toured with Traffic, Yes, The Kinks, Humble Pie, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, and Grand Funk Railroad. Through the efforts of manager Chip Killinger, they connected with Lewis Merenstein, and with him, even greater national attention came with the release of the band's three critically- acclaimed Decca(MCA) LPs: Glass Harp, Synergy, and It Makes Me Glad. The band's highly energetic and wildly improvisational live concerts fueled the band's legend. Concert goers from the Fillmore West to Carnegie Hall turned into instant fans.
Glass Harp's music has been cited as an influence over an astounding variety of artists, from guitar heroes (Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Rick Derringer) and jam bands (Derek Trucks Band, Ekoostik Hookah, Col. Bruce Hampton & The Code Talkers), to progressive rock (Kansas, Adrian Belew, Mike Keneally, Spock's Beard) and even heavy metal (King's X, P.O.D.). In their short life, the band made an indelible mark on the history of rock 'n' roll.
The band dissolved on the cusp of achieving mainstream rock stardom when Phil Keaggy left to become a pioneer in Christian music. It's within this scene that Phil found a home releasing 50 solo recordings, performing live throughout the world. With his Christian music recordings Phil has earned 5 Dove awards, 2 Grammy nominations, 2 Nashville Music Awards, and he has finished #2 and #3 twice each in the annual Guitar Player Magazine poll.
In 1997 the band acquired and released the “Live at Carnegie Hall” recording that was made in 1972. Glass Harp reunited in 2000 for a show at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2000 they recorded the "Live with The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra" CD in their hometown. The concert was recorded and independently released in 2001 on the “Strings Attached” CD. Response to the CD was great and created more opportunities to play live. In 2002 they began work on their first studio project in 30 years. They recorded 16 songs at Blue Desert Recording on "The Row" in Nashville and in Phil's home studio. The 2003 CD HOURGLASS was mixed in Ohio and mastered in Nashville with Richard Dodd.They released the "Hourglass" studio CD in 2003, and the triple-live album "Stark Raving Jams" in 2004. They toured in 2003 and 2004. Glass Harp has rekindled interest amongst longtime fans while finding an entire new generation of listeners through the internet and live concerts.
Mountains
Glass Harp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you hear our voices loud, you'll surely find us there.
The path takes us up above to help us find our way,
You can see that we're in love with your tomorrow day.
So if our lives come down below the surface near,
The sun is still up high that leaves us without fear.
Cause even though we're slow, the mountains will wait.
So if our lives come down below the surface near,
The sun is still up high that leaves us without fear.
The song "Mountains" by Glass Harp is an uplifting tribute to nature's majestic peaks, the inspiration they provide, and the reassurance they offer of a brighter tomorrow. The opening lines invite listeners to look up at the mountains above the clouds, which beckon them to explore and seek guidance. The next stanza amplifies this theme, as the path to the top is portrayed as a metaphorical journey that can help people navigate their way through life. The chorus then emphasizes the depth of the singers' optimism, with a strong vocal delivery that promises they will always find a way forward, no matter how challenging the circumstances.
The second half of the song retains this hopeful tone, further emphasizing the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that even when things are tough and our lives seem to be going downhill, it is important to keep our eyes fixed upward towards the sun that will rise again tomorrow. The final lines reflect the patience of the mountains, which will be there waiting for us even if we are slow to reach them again.
Overall, "Mountains" is a timeless ode to the power and beauty of nature, and a call to stay strong in the face of life's obstacles. Its upbeat melody and lyrics make it an inspiring anthem for anyone feeling lost or discouraged, reminding us that we can always find our way back to the strength and beauty of the mountains.
Line by Line Meaning
Mountains above the clouds don't leave us in despair.
The mountains, which are above the clouds, do not make us feel hopeless.
If you hear our voices loud, you'll surely find us there.
If you listen carefully to our loud voices, you'll be able to find us.
The path takes us up above to help us find our way,
The path leads us upwards to guide and direct us.
You can see that we're in love with your tomorrow day.
We are excited and optimistic about the future.
So if our lives come down below the surface near,
If we experience difficult times or challenges,
The sun is still up high that leaves us without fear.
We are still confident and unafraid, despite facing difficulties.
And still the clouds below are patient if we're late.
The clouds beneath us are understanding if we take our time.
Cause even though we're slow, the mountains will wait.
Even if we move slowly, the mountains will remain there and wait for us.
So if our lives come down below the surface near,
If we face obstacles or difficulties,
The sun is still up high that leaves us without fear.
We still have hope and are not afraid, despite the challenges we face.
Contributed by Evelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Micky Kurtz
This is beautiful, thanks for the upload
MonK2974
Those pedal steel licks! The only other guitar player that could pull them off as good was Roy Buchanan, love them both!
Phil the Stalker
I still have this album. What did I know?
Clint Brill
I am trying to find the Glass Harp version of Jesus Loves me. Can someone help me?