Search - John Fahey :: Visits Washington D.C.

A Solid Album from the "American primitive" Guitar Master

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 01/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"John Fahey's albums throughout his 30-plus year recording career were anything but predictable. His dissonant guitar playing was an acquired taste, but this 1979 release (originally released on his own Takoma label) is one of his more consistently accessible albums.



The album opens with the lovely "Medley: Silver Bells/Cheyenne," and at 4:33 is the shortest track on the album. Fahey is joined by Richard Ruskin on second guitar on this track.



Also infectious are the two tracks which closed each side of the original LP release. "The Discovery of the Sylvia Scott" is actually a medley of songs including "Swanee River," "The Old Folks at Home," "Goodnight Ladies" and "Dixie." "The Grand Finale" also incorporates "Camptown Races."



All told, this is an enjoyable listening experience from the originator of the "American primitive" style of playing. The original liner notes (though not credited to Fahey) display his usual esoteric wit. This album holds up very well alongside his classic Sixties albums like THE TRANSFIGURATION OF BLIND JOE DEATH and DEATH CHANTS, BREAKDOWNS AND MILITARY WALTZES. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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