Phil Keaggy

One of two compilations released simultaneously in 1995, this collection does a great job of showcasing Keaggy's strengths (guitar playing and singing) while minimizing his weaknesses (inconsistent material). There is ample evidence of his diversity, as the styles on this album range from the acoustic folk of his first album to his later British invasion rock, with plenty of ballads, pop songs, and instrumentals included. Keaggy's work suffered in the late '70s and early '80s from weak songs, but Time 1 selects only the strengths from each period. In addition to being a fine introduction to one of CCM's premiere talents, this collection includes enough rare material (an updated version of "Time," a live version of "Do Lord" from his Glass Harp days, and two unreleased songs) to make it an essential collection to longtime fans. Good liner notes as well, with Keaggy sharing his thoughts on each song. Gets a slight edge over Time 2 based on better overall songs and better unreleased material. ~ Marc Castellani, All Music Guide