Glass Harp-Synergy (1971)

Hailing from Ohio, Glass Harp were a classic rock power trio who alternated melodic folk sounds with hard rock jams inspired by legendary bands like The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream. This trio consisted of guitarist Phil Keaggy, drummer John Sferra, and bassist Steve Markulin, who in 1970 secured a deal with MCA Records to finance their debut album under their subsidiary Decca Records. The album's commercial success led them to open for leading bands such as Grand Funk Railroad, Traffic, Humble Pie, and The Kinks across North America. In 1971, the band released their second album, "Synergy", showcasing an even more powerful repertoire with the hard rock tracks "One Day At a Time" and "Never Is a Long Time", two clear examples of Keaggy's exceptional guitar skills. The rest of the album consists of the moody "Song of Hope", the acoustic "The Answer", and the rhythmic and upbeat "Mountains", which contrast with the psychedelic "Just Always" and the sedate "Child of the Universe", bringing to a close an engaging album that, as its title suggests, captures the perfect union of its three members at their artistic peak. The following year, they released the epitaph "It Makes Me Glad", in which they softened their style towards more predictable directions. Subsequently, each member pursued different artistic paths, with Keaggy achieving the most prolific career, shifting his style towards Christian rock and releasing some fifty albums, several of which were nominated for Grammy Awards. He is considered one of the best guitarists of the 20th century.