Keith Cooper
In Concert at the 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 of 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 in 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 on 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.
Scott S Mertens
4 ½ Tocks
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