Take Your Pick: Unlistenable Or Very Personal
Michael Strom | Chicago, IL USA | 02/22/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"OK, maybe it's just me. I don't really think this is music, & I don't understand the alt-press enthusiasm for this 4CD set. Maybe it would help to start with what this is not. It is not like John Fahey (who I like) at his most wandering or challenging. There is always some melody or theme with Fahey. None here.It is not blues in any recognizable sense, despite the allusions to Connors' inspiration from hearing sounds wafting through the window of Albert King records played by neighbors. This will not remind you of any of the Kings, although Connors does seem to be in the throes of some spiritual pain here.Basically, this guy soungs like he is randomly bending notes and moaning. There are no songs, tunes or any pretense of either. I don't want to be unfair, because I certainly do not think that he has attempted to misrepresent the work at all. However, I certainly got the wrong impression from the romanticized reviews/articles I've seen (including the ones reproduced here). This is very personal, difficult, specific, unmusical work that is unlikely to be "enjoyable" in any generally understood manner. This also sounds nothing like Connors' other more accessible work such as Airs. If you like Airs, don't presume that this will be more extended, acoustic stylings in a similar vein. Mind you, I'm fond of obscure & challenging folk/blues acoustic guitarists, but this one is beyond me entirely."