Glass Harp at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland, OH - October 26th, 2003

- by Joe Petelin

Along with my wife Cathy and our friend Father Tom, we were among the fortunate ones to attend the power trio's performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  I felt honored and blessed to be present in the audience to witness a short but spectacular Glass Harp Program on the RRHOF 4th floor by guitar virtuoso Phil Keaggy, percussion specialist John Sferra and thumping bass player extraordinaire  ---- fencing hobbyist Daniel Pecchio.  Mr. Pecchio, who fortunately was able to play with GH this evening in spite of  a fencing injury to his arm & hand.  Thanks Daniel!  It is  "My Prayer" that you continue to survive the sharp pointed workouts.

Opening the program, the curator of the RRHOF museum, Jim Henke, presented an array of questions to the patient trio regarding their backgrounds, history, song playing, influences etc.  Glass Harp responded with their customary gentlemanly ways, answering many questions from the curator, as well as some from the audience.  Jim Henke stated that he personally is a fan of Glass Harp and has a great appreciation for their music.  

In answering some of the questions:  Phil mentioned a mile-long list of guitarist influences, who he still appreciates and learns from; Daniel discussed the recording process and the studios involved in the making of Hourglass, the band's latest CD which was released in August.  Daniel also talked about Otis Redding rhythm and blues influences.  John, smiling throughout this historic session,  "nicely" commented about the time signatures and complexity of  "7 in a Box"  - the 1st song on the Hourglass CD.  Daniel and Phil joined in on the preceding discussion.

All three members referred to their genuine friendship, which began with their grade school days in the 60's in the Youngstown area and how it has grown and matured over the years.  They all commented how much they enjoyed each other's mutual contributions to Hourglass.   Also discussed were previous concerts and their starry-eyed youthfulness when they cut their 1st three albums in the early 70's, as well as some of the top name acts that they opened for at concerts such as the Kinks, Humble Pie and Amboy Dukes.  If I'm correct, Phil and John were under 20 and Daniel in his early 20's at that time.  

When questioned about guitar sounds, Phil replied with excellent examples of guitar techniques explaining that some of the best sounds that he has put forth were created from basic equipment.   Although I'm not an electric guitar tech and I play only some simple acoustic guitar, I appreciated Phil's straightforward examples of various sound effects.  Phil alluded to the guitarist from Lovin' Spoonful that influenced his volume swell techniques.  He also alluded to Alan Holdsworth influences, and his appreciation of many musical genres.

As phenomenally fluent as Phil is on electric guitar, he stated that he truly appreciates  "quiet" music and classical musician JS Bach   and others as well as great choral master and composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.  Phil humbly mentioned that he doesn't read music or even tab. ( To the best of my own knowledge Paul McCartney didn't either; you may correct if I'm wrong.)

After the lengthy interview, the power trio let loose with GH classics such as Changes, David & Goliath, and - from Hourglass - In Every Cathedral, 7 in a Box.  They also performed Chalice, Special Friends, Whatever Life Demands, and other songs in this electrifying show.  We could hear concertgoers just gasping in amazement.  Glass Harp gave a  "stunning", if untraditionally brief, musical performance, being respectful of time constraints set for this program.  I didn't keep a set list since there was much so much extended interview interplay between the RRHOF music curator and the band.

Our guest Fr. Tom, who has become quite a PK/GH fan recently, was most complementary of the awesome melodic energy that GH creates on stage.  He was just amazed at all of the musically creative sounds that came from Phil Keaggy's guitar playing, the superlative drumming techniques and controlled  "exploding energy" of drummer John Sferra and the constant re-enforcing bass lines behind all of the synergy and cohesion of Glass Harp by bassist Dan Pecchio.  Fr. Tom was absolutely amazed by it all – his 2nd GH concert and thanked us immensely for inviting him to this experience.

My only regret is that I didn't come up with some stirring questions/requests to enable the band to PLAY their hearts out as they love doing for their fans.  But to keep things in perspective, Cathy and I thank the RRHOF, their management and the curator for having the  opportunity to hear our  #1 favorite rock & roll jam band play at the rock sanctuary of music located  about 10 miles from our home in Cleveland.  Cathy sent an email to the Rock Hall director, Terry Stewart, thanking him for providing us (fans) the opportunity to hear Glass Harp live.  Cathy was happy to receive a very cordial reply from the director.

It was truly a pleasure to experience Glass Harp at the RRHOF.   Waiting in line for more than two hours to enter the 4th floor music chamber, provided time for camaraderie with many listers whom Cathy, Fr. Tom and I enjoyed re-uniting - to share our mutual enjoyment of PK/GH music and much friendly conversation.  Present were regulars Bill and Jean Amey, Rick and Regina Anderson, Mike Gerski, Tom Wood, who we had seen the night before at Phil's Dayton concert.  We did feel sorry for the ticketless fans waiting outside the hall, in last- ditch hopes of buying a ticket for this sold-out event.  

Once inside the music hall, we were glad to have the chance to say hello to Neal Williams, who always has a big smile at these concerts.  Before the program started, there was a man sitting behind us talking on his cell phone.  We couldn't help overhearing him say to the person on the other end of the phone:  "I just can't believe I'm here – I'm only a few rows back – I can't believe I'm about to actually hear Glass Harp play live!!!  He just laughed with joy."  I think everyone there felt as excited as this joyful fan!

After the concert, as we were leaving, it  "made us glad" to say hello to John Sferra, who was coming down the aisle.  It was also a pleasure to say hello to Brian P., who did a wonderful job on the sound.  (No offense, Brian, I must admit I resorted to wearing earplugs in such an intimate setting.  I am probably the only one in the hall who wore ear plugs.  Cathy and Father Tom did not.)   Yes indeed, the auditorium provided very comfortable, close-up seating for all.  It almost felt like Glass Harp was playing in our living room.  Yea, they  "just wanna play for everybody"! (right, mike?)

-- Joe Petelin

Review © 2003, Joe Petelin, Used with Permission.