Anglo American Primitive, Kris Dollimore on John Fahey

John Fahey was a true pioneering, eccentric, maverick. He made the steel strung acoustic guitar a solo instrument in its own right - a concert instrument like piano or classical guitar. Like so many others, I’ve been consumed by the man and his music. I just love to listen to it, play it, share it, turn people on to it. People need to know - its music you must hear before you die. Simple as that.

[@stevehowell231]

I first heard John on Peel's perfumed Garden in the late 60s. My parents went to the states with my order for as many albums of his they could find. Still got 3 of his original albums.

[@jimmymacdonald219]

On the Sunny Side of the Ocean is my absolute favorite song to play. Hypnotizing and beautifully ambient. Fahey is certainly one of the best

[@John-x1p9i]

'Music you must hear before you die, it's as simple as that', I second that.

[@cjsligojones5101]

I feel sorry for most people because most people have not heard of John Fahey....it's like never having felt the sunlight on your face.

[@levijburr]

Great rendition of Sunny Side of the Ocean. One of my favourite Fahey tracks :)

[@colinlarkin5843]

Wonderful!

[@tomrogerlilleby2890]

''''Music you must hear before you die - simple as that''' ! I love your passion for what John named ''''American Primitive'''' !

[@timchildress2048]

Interesting the difference in pronunciation. Most North Americans I've heard pronounce it Fay-hee. I was introduced to him in 1967 by my good friend Jim Thompson at the University of Kentucky. Finally got to see him live in the late nineties, when his health was failing, and he didn't seem very happy. Came with an acoustic but ended up playing an electric, belonging to the sound man, the whole time. Didn't have the enthusiasm and focus that he had earlier. A huge influence on me, though, and IMO, a uniquely American artist.

[@gibby6904]

I just bought the box set "Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You" great for driving down the road music....he influenced so many acoustic giants...Kottke, Basho , Hedges , Grossman.......on and on ......A National Treasure for sure......you do a fine job with his music! Bravo....

[@amacallan9]

Beautifully played and beautifully explained. Thank you.

[@fozzyfoster]

Just came across your channel and I've fallen down a John Fahey hole here. I'm a big fan of John Fahey and I love playing his songs, but I love your renditions! Keep it up! I also try to turn people on to him as much as possible

[@geraldhugley3618]

Fahey = The Best. I met him and he gave me an autographed copy of God, Casulity and Time.

[@skeeno1956]

Mr. Dollimore. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the great John Fahey. Your KZbin channel is a must see and listen. I bought the best of John Fahey album in '79 and it really put a hook in me. Thanks again from Va. USA!

[@MrGiorgioud]

Hi, Kris. I am a late discoverer of John Fahey and me too, found him utterly inspiring. But the purpose of this message is just to tell you how great I found your guitar work in The Godfathers, back in the day and a lifetime ago. Caught you live a few times, great memories. Refreshing to learn you moved from electricity to something more “whole” and “total” (as I did). Keep up the great work, all the best...

[@andrewlavogue3950]

Your words in the beginning of this video are so relatable - literally what I’ve been going through these last few months. Cheers! Great playing friend!

[@colinlarkin5843]

Me too - it was Spanish Dance from Death Chants album👌

[@thelawenforcer001]

Hi Kris, thought i'd drop you a line - i stumbled upon this video a few months ago while doing some research into fingerstyle guitar as it was the style i really wanted to get into. needless to say, ive never looked back and have learnt to play several fahey tunes now (including sunny side :P). just wanted to say thanks for opening my eyes to this music!

[@thomasbellino5692]

Started listening to Fahey a few years ago, my life has been changed. I just began to adopt the "Fahey" technique or "American Primitive" style. Really looking forward to progressing in my playing. And this was a wonderfully made video, very good and passionate cover of sunny side. Cheers!

[@fastidioussloth6013]

On the Sunny Side of the Ocean, perhaps my favourite. (I was expecting an American drawl & then heard this English geezer.)

[@CroatAndNettles]

Please also see the discussion of whether Fahey's music is "primitive" on John Fahey Origins...

[@nashwilliams5852]

CroatAndNettles fahey called his music "American primitive" because he learned to play through primitive means: a sears Roebuck guitar and his own will. It had nothing to do with wether the music itself was prinitive

[@CroatAndNettles]

The trouble with your idea is that he played many exceedingly fine guitars, among them the Bacon & Day. He was never short of good dreadnoughts. I suspect you/he may be referring to Blind Joe Death's first guitar. In any event, I always thought Fahey's first recordings for Joe Bussard on Fonotone were more amazing than primitive.

[@nashwilliams5852]

CroatAndNettles yes as I said he LEARNED to play on a Sears guitar, and described his playing as primitive because of its self taught nature.

[@alkahol6289]

CroatAndNettles he used primitive to mean self taught. That’s all.

[@adamsloan-vu9fq]

Don't forget Robbie basho