Episode 35: Artist Appreciation - John Fahey

All about Fahey by discography, or at least the specific Fahey LPs I own.
Awesome 1969 guitar focused interview, complete version I used pieces of. "Guitar Guitar" w/ Laura Weber
• Rare video with John F...
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[@mario7frankielee]

that’s my ultimate goal to perform with a lady holding an umbrella great channel just signed in! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@seekingathread]

Haha, yes I'll make that a goal as well

[@AsTheTableTurns]

Love “Night Train Of Valhalla” on Volume 6. So beautiful.

[@seekingathread]

Absolutely, so wonderful.

[@swinter11]

I purchased The Voice of the Turtle at a record store when I was in college in 1992 and have been hooked since. Happened onto a lot of great music in that little record store.

[@seekingathread]

The dawn of discovery. That's when it felt like you were the only one who knew about such a record.

[@jerricocrittenden8311]

I’ve been digging Fahey heavy recently. “Life is like a mountain railroad” is a really great tune.

[@seekingathread]

absolutely I listen to him multiple times a week.

[@jimji5116]

I've been a John Fahey fan since the 60s. I actually met John, he had come to Montreal to play at a local folk music club. Apparently he had a girlfriend in Montreal. In between sets I would talk to him in the green room. He had been to India and also I had been to India. Apparently he was or had been a follower of a woman saint, Anandamayi Ma. After the gig, I drove him back to his hotel. The next morning he was flying back to the states. I still love his music, an originator of the guitar style called "Americian Primitive Guitar".

[@seekingathread]

Very cool story of you meeting Fahey. I would certainly never forget it.

[@perrysar5954]

Where was the club in Montreal,since I live here

[@SKY_DWELLER333]

Fantastic video. I love Fahey's music. The more you listen, the more haunting and beautiful it becomes. Fahey, Robbie Basho, Jack Rose, Glenn Jones, and many of the other purveyors of steel string acoustic guitar music truly make the instrument into a six stringed radio antenna that tunes in to, and channels, the player’s individual spiritual frequencies. I've seen the documentary In Search of Blind Joe Death but I absolutely need to read this book. Thank you for this. Getting back into records and this video and the one on Glenn Jones are inspiring me to put artists like Fahey and the like at the front of the line. Also, if anyone made it to the end of this, what is the piece at the very beginning of the video? Thanks so much.

[@seekingathread]

Hey there. I don't remember what the title is at the start but it's from a brief performance of him during the late 60s. I believe it's taken from the memphis country blues '69 documentary that came out this year. (haven't seen it yet). Completely agree with you about those artists. Truly special and haunting. I still need to see that Fahey doc too! Thanks for digging in. Don't know if you saw but I also did features on Basho and Glenn Jones. take care

[@SKY_DWELLER333]

@@seekingathread hey! Thank you so much for replying. And thank you for making these videos. Your passion for music is so palpable. yes, actually your video on Robbie Basho inspired me to explore his music again. It hadn’t really clicked for me in the past, but maybe I wasn’t starting in the right place. this time, however, it was like a portal opened. I also watched the voice of the eagle documentary that you mentioned. Because of all this, I’m pretty sure I’ve played more guitar in the past week than I ever have in my entire life. Also caught your episode on Glenn Jones. Besides John Fahey his music was really the catalyst that got me into instrumental steel string guitar music. Thanks again, and take care.

[@quarantinehearts]

@@SKY_DWELLER333 Wow, that's fantastic. So glad these videos are resonating with you and that it cause you to pickup the guitar. I play myself and often times it can seem like a chore to play but once you are going, you're always glad you did. Thanks so much for checking in again. Those Glenn Jones LPs are usually had pretty cheap if you're looking or don't have any. Shouldn't be more than $15 a piece.

[@jonlanghoff]

Thanks for a very nice walk-through. I've been listening to Fahey's 60s stuff over the last ten-ish years, of which I especially adore the mesmerizing Vol 1 & 5 and the gorgeous '68 Christmas album. Looking very much forward to getting to know America and Fare Forward too!

[@seekingathread]

Awesome, glad you dug this Jon. I listen to him all the time, never a bad moment to put on one of his LPs. I still need to dig into his 80s records, sure there's some gold there. take care

[@jerricocrittenden8311]

I didn’t know the album appeared in Clockwork Orange, just found out Keef Hartley band was in it too! Awesome collection and great video by the way ❤

[@StuntrockConfusion]

I really like Fahey's 80ies records. I was in the process of making a Fahey video myself, as I probably have over 30 LPs of his. Might do one focused on those later ones than... After The Ball already features indian music, and eastern philosophies references BTW. Cheers!

[@seekingathread]

That would be great, would love to see your thoughts on later period Fahey. I actually don't see those 80s LPs of his in stores all that much. Except Jesus Loves Me which we have in the store now. But looking forward to your focus!

[@saiselvarajan9897]

Great vid. Thanks for doing this. I'm just getting in to Fahey. This was really helpful.

[@augustemaquet1295]

Great profile thanks! The video elements were a good addition. I'll have to watch that whole interview. Cheers!

[@augustemaquet1295]

Well, I watched interview, great! However to me there's the weird energy when the conventional meets the unconventional. Almost a passive aggressive thing...

[@seekingathread]

Yeah it's a bit strange but endearing. Clearly he looks at her like a square but he also engages. Great nonetheless. be well!

[@mr.k5828]

Oooooohhhh boy! Thrilled to see this posted! Presently reading (still!) a biography on Fahey. What a character. His music is hypnotizing. Love it! Look forward to blocking off the following 40 minutes for this! PS - I have a few Glenn Jones and Jack Rose records ordered. They’re taking a while to arrive and can’t wait!

[@seekingathread]

Fantastic you'll love those rose and Jones LPs if you're into Fahey. I forgot to mention and show the book but I actually still need to read it. Thanks!

[@mr.k5828]

@@seekingathread it’s a really enjoyable read and made me appreciate the character even more. The man was extremely imperfect, but it’s presented in an objective, somewhat compassionate way. Reminds me of a Nina Simone biography (autobiography?) that I read and made me love her even more. Really showcases the humanity in these artists we love and that we may sometimes idolize.

[@christi186]

Fantastic video, I just discovered your channel tonight & subscribed. I really like the artist in-depth videos and I have nothing of John's on vinyl- after watching your video I will be looking to change that!

[@seekingathread]

Awesome glad you dug it. He's got plenty of LPs and you can't go too wrong with any of em. Thanks Christi!

[@joelkotzen280]

Very informative! Love these focus videos. It's funny I've never really heard Fahey speak. He sounds like one of my uncle's or more likely similar to many uncle's across North America. I first heard of his work from my other uncle's friend, the husband of the late ambient artist Lucette Bourdin. His name is Michael and has since passed as well. I would go and visit their household and discuss various topics, sometimes share my music with him. Off topic I know. Well one of the artists he told me to discover was Fahey. I was drawn in my those titles Blind Joe Death, Death Chants etc (death Chants reminds me of the guided by voices song deathtrot, which I still believe would be a great band name) I don't have any of fahey's output on vinyl at this point, still looking. I'll have to check out the ones you mention as being more psychedelic and floaty. I write this halfway through your video so I might be passing over other topics. Loved the video nonetheless!

[@seekingathread]

Awesome thanks so much Joel. He's a longtime favorite of mine. He's right for any situation. Yep I recommend Vol 4 or 6 plus the ones on Vanguard if you want the more out there stuff. Hope all is well!

[@AsTheTableTurns]

I just picked up “The Music of Harry Taussig and Max Ochs”.

[@seekingathread]

They are both excellent! I have Taussig's lone LP from '65 and Ochs music was definitely limited.

[@ryanblackcat1326]

Nice video I only know about Fahey from an interview with Mark Kozelek who keep talking about how much he likes him.and His sound and tunings. I learned a good bit about him from your video. I am going to keep an eye out and see if i can find some of his stuff . Thanks for the shout out & the video.

[@seekingathread]

Definitely check him out if you see an LP out there. They don't tend to be too expensive. thanks!

[@markspooner1224]

I like documentary films about musicians but seeing their records is something you never see. This is (for me) a more interesting way of appreciating an artist, really interesting. BTW nice shout out for you by Dylan on the Noble Records video. (and thank you mate, very nice of you).

[@seekingathread]

Awesome, that is my goal with these kinds of videos. Merging the records with some historical info. Appreciate that and yes saw that Dillon shoutout. take care Mark

[@moodswingy1973]

5th

[@diamond_marimba]

thanks dom really enjoyed. I think I showed voyager in my very first VC video years ago and for some reason have never taken a deep dive. the other I have is requia which I like quite a bit as well. great clips in there had never heard him speak, he's definitely a unique dude.

[@seekingathread]

Total oddball doing his own thing. Can't really go wrong with any of his records. Glad you enjoyed!

[@christopherkibler511]

Dom, great video on the earlier Fahey period. Liked all of the music being included. I hope Stuntrockconfusion follows through on his later period Fahey video. Thanks, Chris

[@seekingathread]

Thank you Chris! Same here, I'm sure his video will be excellent and put another spin on him.

[@douglasanderson8636]

You said it all dude.

[@AsTheTableTurns]

Great episode! Love Fahey. I only have volume 1 but looking to collect most of them. I have a Leo Kottke and Robbie Basho as well. I’ve been trying to find Falconers Arm I.

[@seekingathread]

Wonderful album, volume 2 of Falconer too. Will be tackling Basho next in this series. Thanks!

[@AsTheTableTurns]

@@seekingathread After I commented that I was looking for a copy. I just decided to go on Discogs and order. It's an unofficial release but the only official release was like $125. So I got an unofficial for around $25. It will have to do for now.

[@kcjones9790]

If you haven't already heard it, I'd recommend this episode of the Lost Notes podcast: www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/lost-notes/living-with-john-fahey-aka-a-room-full-of-flowers

[@seekingathread]

I have not and will check it out. Thanks!

[@ayyowhat]

I need some more fahey on vinyl

[@seekingathread]

Always! More for me to grab too