Theme

When hearing the word “guitar legends”, most music lovers usually think about Jimi Hendrix, Django Reinhardt or Eric Clapton. Although, a guitarist who should definitely be a part of that lineup is the humble grandmaster John Fahey. The 22nd of February marked the twentieth anniversary of his death; he died during heart surgery at 61. Fahey is known as the founder of the so-called American Primitive guitar style. With his minimalistic and precise fingerpicking guitar play, Fahey unconventionally connected the soundscapes of blues, folk, avant-garde, American hymns and world music. His first pioneering releases date back to the end of the fifties, when he went by his alias Blind Joe Death. Later, Fahey was to establish his own record labels, Takoma and Revenant. Next to old blues, these labels also featured work by kindred spirits like Leo Kottke and Robbie Basho. You can also hear his influence with guitarists of later generations. This broadcast of Theme features some of Fahey’s most characteristic works and guitar music by successors like Jack Rose and James Blackshaw.

Playlist:

1. John Fahey: ‘Sligo River Blues’ (1959), from John Fahey – The Legend of Blind Joe Death. John Fahey (guitar). Takoma/Fantasy CDTAK1002 CD

2. John Fahey: ‘On The Sunny Side of The Ocean’ (1965), from John Fahey – The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death. John Fahey (guitar) Takoma/Fantasy CDTAK7015 CD

3. John Fahey: ‘Tell Her To Come Back Home’ (1965), from John Fahey – The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death. John Fahey (guitar) Takoma/Fantasy CDTAK7015 CD

4. John Fahey: ‘My Station Will Be Changed After While’ (1965), from John Fahey – The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death. John Fahey (guitar) Takoma/Fantasy CDTAK7015 CD

5. John Fahey: ‘The Death of the Clayton Peacock’ (1965), from John Fahey – The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death. John Fahey (guitar) Takoma/Fantasy CDTAK7015 CD

6. John Fahey: ‘When The Fire And The Rose Are One’ (1973) from John Fahey – Fare Forward Voyagers. John Fahey (guitar). Shanachie 99005 CD

7. John Fahey: ‘Steve Talbot on the Keddie Wye’ (1983) from John Fahey – Railroad. John Fahey (guitar). Shanachie 99003 CD

8. John Fahey: ‘Afternoon Espee Through Salem’ (1983) from John Fahey – Railroad. John Fahey (guitar). Shanachie 99003 CD

9. John Fahey: ‘Charlie Becker’s Meditation’ (1983) from John Fahey – Railroad. John Fahey (guitar). Shanachie 99003 CD

10. John Fahey: ‘Delta Dog Through The Book of Revelation’ (1983) op John Fahey – Railroad. John Fahey (guitar). Shanachie 99003 CD

11. John Fahey: ‘Hitomi’ (2000) op John Fahey-Hitomi. John Fahey (electric guitar). LivHouse Records 70334 90001-2 CD

12. John Fahey: ‘Hitomi Smiles’ (2000) op John Fahey-Hitomi. John Fahey (electric guitar). LivHouse Records 70334 90001-2 CD

13. James Blackshaw: ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’ (2007) op James Blackshaw – The Cloud of Unknowing. James Blackshaw (guitar). Tompkins Square TSQ1967 CD

14. Jack Rose: ‘Red Horse’ (2001) op Jack Rose – Two Orginals of…Red Horse, White Mule & Opium Musick. Jack Rose (guitar). Beautiful Happiness happ001cd CD

15. John Fahey: ‘America’ (1971), from John Fahey – America. John Fahey (guitar). Takoma/Fantasy CDTAK8903 CD

16. John Fahey: ‘Mark 1:15’ (1971), from John Fahey – America. John Fahey (guitar). Takoma/Fantasy CDTAK8903 CD

Compilation by Mark van de Voort