There is a message to be conveyed in song. As I hear it, The Wind and the Wheat reveals a great longing of those of us who have reached deep within ourselves to believe in the promise of eternal life which God wants to give us. Walk through the album with me…

MARCH OF THE CLOUDS
“Since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race this is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Based on this call to victory, “March of the Clouds” opens The Wind and the Wheat. Its aural image of clouds encircling the earth and crossing the sky stirs up the New Testament image of the triumphant procession of those whom the Son has redeemed.

Written by: Phil Keaggy
Arranged and Produced by: Phil Keaggy and Jeff Lams
Electric and Acoustic guitars – Phil Keaggy
Keyboards – Jeff Lams
Drums and Percussion – Alex Acuna
Bass and Fretless Bass – Dave Coy
Engineers – Jim Scheffler, Eddie Keaggy, and Chris Taylor

PARADISE DREAM
The song offers a sense of a place where there is no cruelty, no war, no sickness, no death, no sadness. It offers the calm and steady hope of peace and contentment of the lion lying down with the lamb.

Written by: Phil Keaggy
Arranged by: Phil Keaggy and Harlan Rogers
Produced by: Phil Keaggy and Tom Coomes
Electric and Acoustic guitars – Phil Keaggy
Rhodes Piano – Harlan Rogers
Drums – Ron Tutt
Bass – Dave Coy
Engineers – Jim Scheffler and Eddie Keaggy

THE WIND AND THE WHEAT
Inspired by harp styles both past and present, the song is a continuous circle that always changes colors while remaining the same. The circle speaks of and reflects our continual process of growth in Christ. Having been born anew by the eternal seed planted within, we nevertheless face the winds of various trials and testings. During these experiences, we - symbolized by the wheat – are nurtured and watered, given sunshine and care. The wind and other elements of nature bend but don’t break us as we keep looking and growing heavenward.

Written and Arranged by: Phil Keaggy
Produced by: Phil Keaggy and Tom Coomes
Electric and Acoustic guitars – Phil Keaggy
Keyboards – Jeff Lams
Drums and Percussion – Alex Acuna
Percussion – Alex McDougall
Fretless Bass – Dave Coy
Engineers – Chris Taylor and Jim Scheffler
Mixed by Jim Scheffler, Phil Keaggy, and Tom Coomes at Bill Schnee Studio

WHERE TRAVELERS MEET
Developed in the studio with my friend Jeff Lams, the song speaks of the need we have to be in fellowship with friends who share our pilgrimage. Though we find ourselves alone at times, our encounters with our brethren bring us courage, comfort, and the will to hold fast to that which is good. As travelers of the same path, we are to bear one another’s burdens because there will be times when our load will seem too much to bear. In humility, we learn to both reach out for help and reach out to help.

Written by: Phil Keaggy
Produced and Arranged by: Phil Keaggy and Jeff Lams
Electric, Acoustic guitars and Bass – Phil Keaggy
Acoustic Piano and Synthesizers – Jeff Lams
Percussion – Alex McDougall
Bass and Fretless Bass – Dave Coy
Engineer – Jim Scheffler

FROM SHORE TO SHORE
The international and less contemporary flavor of this piece is intended to extend our vision beyond our own selves and our own kind. There is a big world out there but, no matter what cultural boundaries might exist. When we share the Spirit of God, He makes us one with each other.

Written, Arranged, and Produced by: Phil Keaggy
Acoustic, Electric Mini-Guitars, Bass, Percussion, and Keyboards – Phil Keaggy
Engineer – Jim Scheffler

PRAYER
I wrote this song on the road a couple of years back. It was midnight, and I was alone in a hotel room. In times like that when my longing to be home is heightened, talking to God, listening to Him, and writing music are all woven together. But prayer isn’t always soft spoken words or quiet thoughts. Sometimes it is an expression of the many voices and groanings within; sometimes it’s just a sign of silence or anticipation. Prayers can be spoken alone or offered in agreement with others. Always, prayer is to be an honest expression of our heart.

Written by: Phil Keaggy
Arranged by: Phil Keaggy and Harlan Rogers
Produced by: Phil Keaggy and Tom Coomes
Electric Guitars – Phil Keaggy
Acoustic Piano – Harlan Rogers
Synthesizers – Smitty Price and Jeff Lams
Drums – Ron Tutt
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Bass – Dave Coy
Engineer – Jim Scheffler

THE MISSION
Here, a solitary guitar piece is joined by another guitar and finally by a chorus of guitars to paint a picture of a mission. When I noticed in the studio that the song has a Spanish feel to it, the picture of the mission became the adobe-and-tile image of a mission that had been built for worship and fellowship but had since been neglected or destroyed. This building symbolized a once-united group of committed followers of the Lord who had desired to be a beacon, a light to the world. I then envisioned the mission being rebuilt. The vision to rebuild didn’t just appear to one person alone, but to many who sacrificially went forth and toiled to bring God’s word to others. We have that same mission.

Written, Arranged, and Produced by: Phil Keaggy
Electric and Acoustic guitars – Phil Keaggy
Synthesizers – Cheri Anderson
Engineers – Chris Taylor and Eddie Keaggy

THE PROMISE
With its echoes of “Noah’s Song” which I wrote years ago, this piece reminds us that God confirmed His promise of faithfulness by placing the rainbow in the sky. Opening with an invitation to listen, the song soon becomes more detailed. The notes and melodies of electric guitars paint the colors of the rainbow with enthusiasm and energy. When all is finally spoken, what remains is a time to view the rainbow and reflect on its meaning. If we allow God to teach us, nature can point us to Him – and why not music too?

(By the way, the middle lead guitar part – after the intro and before the transition at the end – was originally recorded five years ago on my home multiback recorder. The tracks were arranged around this old guitar solo. Interesting, eh?)

Written, Arranged, and Produced by: Phil Keaggy
Electric, Acoustic Guitars and Bass – Phil Keaggy
Keyboards – Jeff Lams
Drums – Dave Spurr
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Engineers – Phil Keaggy, Chris Taylor, Jeff Lams, and Jim Scheffler

THE REUNION
When friends and loved ones are united again, there is often the need to approach gracefully, gently. Loyalty and trust once so natural must be carefully regained, and forgiveness may be part of this rebuilding. With a cautious sense of wonderment, we may walk slowly at first, but then we run as the long-awaited reunion becomes a reality and a source of excitement and joy beyond words. After all, any reunion we celebrate on earth is only a foreshadowing of the glorious day when we are joined together with loved ones who have already departed this world.

Written, Arranged, and Produced by: Phil Keaggy
Acoustic Guitars – Phil Keaggy
Engineer – Eddie Keaggy
“Committee” Mix by Phil Keaggy, Tom Coomes, Thom Roy, and Eddie Keaggy

I LOVE YOU LORD
These four simple words have to be the words which will forever fill eternity as those of us that He has loved will utter effortlessly our deep adoration of the Lamb who redeemed us.

Written by: Laurie Klein
Arranged by: Phil Keaggy
Produced by: Phil Keaggy and Tom Coomes
Electric and Acoustic guitars – Phil Keaggy
Mixed by Chris Taylor, Phil Keaggy and Tom Coomes at Whitefield Studios

Here we have ten songs. Let them speak to you and you may hear something different, or simply sit back and enjoy. Sometimes I just do that, too!