Keith Cooper In Concert as reviewed in The Phantom Tollbooth.

In Keith Cooper there is truly a gift.

Cup ‘O Joy
Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Saturday, December 14, 2013

Most describe a "haunting" as a paranormal experience. Now, months since his concert at the Cup 'O Joy concert venue in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I am haunted by the experience. Haunted after experiencing both his gift of musicianship, and his truth and honesty in his personal message given to the audience during the event.

Playing acoustic guitar as if it is just another God given appendage, Cooper at once is comparable to one of his mentors, Michael Hedges, and another acoustic guitar phenom, Trace Bundy. Using alternative tunings and occasionally leveraging the guitar as percussion, Cooper’s focus and joy immediately heighten the experience. Cooper is certainly at the top of his game having produced four albums and numerous books of his art. With a lineage of superb teachings, degrees, and as a long-time member of Denver and the Mile High Orchestra his artistic roots are both wide and deep.

To a full house Cooper played many favorites, both original and popular compositions including:

  • “Invitation”
  • “Presider’s Chair”
  • “Amazing Grace”
  • “Untitled”
  • “Dance of the Sugar Plum”
  • “We Three Kings”
  • “Hark the Herald”

Beyond the music Cooper’s personal stories of injury to his hand and the healing enabling him to continue his art, and the heartbreak of recent divorce presented a raw and honest truth about the man and the strength of his Christian faith. Full of compassion and selflessness, his discipleship exceeds his prowess as a guitarist.

To sum up the experience of witnessing, Copper in concert is not an easy task. There is at once artistry, grace and truth in one shining package. Simple and pure. In Keith Cooper there is truly a gift.

http://keithlcooper.com
http://www.cupojoy.com/

 

Scott S Mertens

4nhalftocks

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