"Impressions of Susan," by John Fahey

I have included a lesson video and my transcription of "Impressions of Susan" as the June 1st 2020 post to my Patreon account. Sign up as a tier 2 subscriber for full access to everything! / andrewlardnerguitar
The first volume of my transcriptions of Blind Joe Death is now available through Mel Bay publishing. Read more about it here and order a limited release directly from me.
www.andrewlardner.com/blind-jo...
"Impressions of Susan" was recorded by John Fahey on April 8, 1966, at Takoma Studios in Berkeley, California. It appeared on the album Days Have Gone By in 1967. The John Fahey Handbook by Claudio Guerrieri has a wonderful write-up on the genesis of the piece. The song was a dedication to his pen pal, Susan Turner, who was living in Brazil. He know her only through the letters they wrote and a photograph she sent. Those who have seen the photograph understand where Fahey's inspiration to write such a beautiful composition came from. He wrote to her in July of 66 about the piece, "I shall leave it uncompleted or not resolve it to the tonic chord at the conclusion of it, thus dramatically symbolizing the fact that I have never met you."
The guitar I'm playing in the video is a circa 1940 Recording King Jumbo which I picked up on a recent guitar hunting expedition near the boot heel of Missouri. These Recording Kings were sold out of the Montgomery Ward catalog starting in the late 20s and lasting to around the mid 40s. The guitar is about the size of a Gibson jumbo of the same era. They had a unique "double x" bracing pattern which made for a guitar that projects quite well in the midrange. They lack some of the low end that is typical of the Gibson jumbos and Martin dreadnoughts of the antebellum years but retain all of the charm that you find in the Chicago area pre-war instruments.
We tried to do some new things with this video. By the time we finally got all of the gear set up we had lost all of our natural light which made this particular video difficult to work with. This was our first attempt at syncing multiple cameras. Out of respect for the original recording we may or may not have spliced the recording at several points and we added some heavy effects at the end.
My good friend Brock Camden was the assistant director on this video. Thank you for your artful panning and moral support.

[@docbailey3265]

No one tells a better story on the guitar than John Fahey.

[@AimarRedoladMusic]

Ted Greene

[@mahdijaffer2847]

Too right Doc

[@JimMaisonneuve-ri9vg]

I was most fortunate to have seen John Fahey live. He played at a club in Montreal, and between sets I would see him in the green room, and had discussions. He had been to India, and so had I, so very interesting conversations. After the gig, I drove him to his hotel, I think he was flying out the next day. A great unique artist.

[@engineerartist]

You chose the perfect guitar for this Fahey tune, and you played it flawlessly! Fahey's music contains may subtleties and nuances, and your cover reflects the way John would have played it in his prime, including the subtleties and nuances. Great work! BTW.. I like the videography too!

[@raychrl]

Also, really love John Fahey's triplets. Man, you do 'em just like him.

[@MisterNiles]

This is deeply psychedelic. Wonderful rendering.

[@barrydobrin1135]

Great rendition. You realize how unique and complex Fahey's songs were when you actually learn to play them.

[@progholio]

Wow, this is probably my favorite of all your videos, very well done sir!

[@CroatAndNettles]

You are a master! What a wonderful version of Fahey's original. Thanks so much.

[@kerstin6473]

One of my favorite Fahey songs--that was beautiful!

[@samuelbalistreri5089]

I love the replication of the reverb at the end of the tune. Just awesome. Looked like you had fun playing it too.

[@duckface524]

this is a utterly wonderful rendition and you my friend are very talented for transcribing it so faithfully and carrying most of the emotion of the original

[@GOG223]

Really great performance. You are truly channeling John Fahey.

[@mikeprice5484]

This is great ! particularly like the addition of reverb towards the end of the song

[@perrysar6931]

As usual outstanding tone and rhythm,and the video production is outstanding!

[@albertromiel]

I must say, you inspire me! I lost my direction this past year musically with everything going on but your videos literally inspire me to play again! I didn’t think anyone listened/ played the same music as me (I know that sounds stupid) but I love the simplicity in your videos and your fingerpicking is on point! Looking forward to more, my friend! 😎✌🏻❤️

[@greysonwilson4164]

Magical. Nobody covers Fahey quite like you are able to.

[@greekflatpicker]

Amazing playing,amazing sounding guitar.

[@taiyoinoue]

Thanks for this great rendition of what might be my favorite shorter-form Fahey tune. In case anyone is like me and trying to learn this sublime song in the midst of a pandemic, the tuning is DGDGA#D

[@joaquinodriozola4963]

Actually its DGDGBbD

[@taiyoinoue]

@@joaquinodriozola4963Oh okay, cool. I don't know the difference. I just put the string at the pitch and go.

[@joaquinodriozola4963]

@@taiyoinoue yes sorry just wanted to point its the same note just its name varies depending the key. Since its in Gminor it has two flats, B and E.

[@christopherjones4789]

@@joaquinodriozola4963 You mean "it's". You forgot the apostrophe :)

[@darrenwastestime]

Which "its?" We need to know

[@danilocernigoj2396]

My most sincere congratulations. Thanks for sharing

[@toughfatal7592]

how beautifully covered

[@darrenwastestime]

wow, nailed the sound on the record!

[@thepriesttheycallhim]

Beautiful Track and Performance.

[@LAURIELARDNER]

Sounds great. Loved the two camera filming. You and Brock did some amazing video work.That recording King was a sweet find!

[@raychrl]

I get emotional about how well you capture these tunes. There really is no one else that can capture the nuances of these artists that are a gift to us all. Thanks Andy. I'm so glad, and I'm sure so many others are that you assert your talents and gifts this way, to the benefit of us who appreciate this so much. Nuff said. Please keep it up! Apropos of nothing, was wondering if you have, or ever thought about transcribing Leo Kottke's 'Side One Suite', just wondering. Thank you Andy, Charles

[@romanoznobishin947]

this is fantastic, keep going!

[@everyday316]

Brilliant.. Thanks for posting

[@colindamo]

Absolutely superb! Nice playin!

[@corey8807]

I had a Recording King in my arms and it felt and sounded so good. The only reason I didn’t buy it was because I was in an overpriced NYC West Village shop, and there was no guarantee or back story on it.

[@jeffblanton3883]

Andrew you really bring that nice sounding guitar to life, echoing Fahey's mood setting piece

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you Jeff!

[@michaels8297]

Incredible job

[@zpiazza]

excellent job on this magical song.

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you Zachary

[@johngeddes7894]

Never been a big Fahey fan, but I sure enjoy hearing this!

[@chrstnrcrl]

Thanks for providing the context of this song; I shed a tear or two more because of it. Hah. Perfect rendition as well man. Like Mark said, these shots are helping me a lot when it comes to actually playing these pieces. I've yet to check out your channel, but keep up the good work!

[@guild40]

Awesome performance of a difficult piece. I've been trying to master it for years!

[@los_rubos]

Love the dry, woody midrange tone of that RK. Superb playing

[@psicola7331]

beautiful

[@mussie302]

Beautiful.

[@timacann]

Amazing.

[@TheTruthTale]

Nice song, enjoyed it

[@radishbeet2130]

I was letting KZbin play on autoplay, and was listening to John Fahey play this song, and then I had to step away from the computer. When I came back, I had no idea I was not still listening to Fahey play until I looked at the video and saw it was you!

[@andrewlardner]

Ha! Bamboozled

[@cumplid]

amazing

[@Bluesyjacuzzi]

Nice. Love the guitar too!

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@HowardHello]

Exquisite. Thank you. No words.

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you Ross

[@specialrider54]

Really stunning work. Love the use of reverb toward the end. It provided a very authentic quality. You playing is so expressive and articulate throughout. Mesmerizing!

[@andrewlardner]

+Pick for Peace! Thanks for dropping by again. Are you familiar with the original? It has such a charming quality, one of my favorite things JF ever recorded.

[@specialrider54]

+Andrew Lardner Andrew - Yes, I am quite familiar with the Fahey original. I have tried to play it on occasion, but the stretches it requires are difficult for me. It is one of John's more ethereal and haunting tunes, and unquestionably one of his greatest compositions. Thanks so much for posting this. Dave

[@toughfatal7592]

love it man.... :)

[@andrewlardner]

Many thanks!

[@jackmestric2503]

i dont understand how you managed to play that flawlessly

[@whatevershebrings]

This is quite an achievement and a treat for Fahey fans like myself...excellent work. 'Vol. 6/Days...' is the first album I came to hear of his, the first one I got to know, and it may be my favorite. On the original recording, after the spring reverb kicks in, there are overtones that almost sound to my ears like an organ being played on that climactic ascending run. Does anyone else hear this? Always wondered if it was an uncredited John Locke, since'Yellow Princess' LP was made around the same time.

[@antmerchan4120]

Impecable

[@Rayzhou4158]

At first glance, I thought it was one of those vintage J45. What a nice sounding recording king and great cover as well!

[@andrewlardner]

Zhou Rui Thanks Zhou. I think I just wrote you on facebook. Yes very similar looking at first glance, I look forward to recording something on a pretty nice sounding 40s Gibson J45 in the near future.

[@Rayzhou4158]

That's awesome!

[@MrMarktrumble]

very good.I have subscribed to your channel. You are helping me to learn to play some tunes.

[@andrewlardner]

Very happy to hear these videos are being watched and they help people learn. Thank you Mark

[@juspasenthru]

This is a study piece of mine. I should be able to catch you in about 30 years...

[@hannahlewis2332]

great

[@TheNeverposts]

best song in the world

[@andrewlardner]

Dude!

[@keithhodges9776]

Beautiful rendition of a classic Fahey song. Who are the nimrods who gave it thumbs down?

[@pistolschlapper]

Thats some tune.

[@buddybusker3483]

i hear chord shapes from red pony. i really enjoy Fahey's explorative ear ! free form acoustic!

[@buddybusker3483]

open d??

[@andrewlardner]

Open G minor, very fun tuning for exploration, easy to mask minor because only one string gives away the minor third interval.

[@ARKNewEraGuitars]

Nice!

[@andrewlardner]

+Tony Klassen Thanks for dropping by Tony. I admire your work, hope we get the chance to meet someday.

[@TheDeerfieldfarms]

Nice work, like the Tacoma t-shirt (looks vaguely familiar)...

[@jimherron6840]

Amazing work! Have just started to try some Fahey open tuning. Trying open c first . This is a different tuning ?

[@woobi4739]

You did it justice. Killer tone and picking. I’d be very grateful if you’d share what you’re using to get that sweet reverb.

[@andrewlardner]

Hi woobi I recorded this many year ago and do not remember exactly, but it would have been added in post, likely one of the preinstalled reverbs tweaked to a sound that I like.

[@Kaitsey]

That was fucking awesome! Such a great song. One of his best. Absolutely amazing to think of the deep catalogue of mind blowing compositions one man can create. What's the tuning on that one? I'm fairly sure it's not one of the regular ones he uses.

[@andrewlardner]

You are correct, the tuning is open g minor.

[@Kaitsey]

Andrew Lardner thanks mate.

[@dandan5928]

Magic

[@andrewlardner]

thanks dude

[@dandan5928]

@@andrewlardner Yeah man, this is killer. Keep it going!

[@SusannaCastelli]

Bravo! Lo spirito è quello giusto, il suono e la tecnica possono ancora migliorare molto. Buon lavoro!

[@andrewlardner]

+Susanna Castelli Thank you very much Susanna!

[@babylemurman]

A detail I noticed is you appear to have tuned your guitar relative to the original recording which is a little sharper than Open G minor. It gives the song an interesting texture and still sounds good since the strings are tuned relative to each other.

[@Es2.0]

It feels like the riff at the beginning is pretty much the base of the song „ Damn Shame“ by Jolie Holland.. :)

[@curvingorbit8262]

Superlative playing, really beautiful. I only recently came to steel strung acoustic after playing Renaissance lute and Baroque theorbo. I just can't get the sound I'm after. Where is your teaching based? (Anywhere near Chicago?) Failing a lesson, do you have any advice? I keep switching between pads, nails and fingerpicks - should I just persevere with the picks? (Fahey used them for most of his career) - but then you produce such a great sound without them! Any directions gratefully received. Thanks, and especially for sharing such an inspiring performance.

[@andrewlardner]

Hi Curving Orbit. Two very respectable instruments there, the size of the theorbo is especially intimidating to me. We just had Nigel North in for an outstanding workshop on our campus a few weeks ago. I assume you played those instruments with your bare fingers? I've experimented with several methods of articulating the strings with the right hand: bare fingers in the early days, natural and acrylic nails, thumbpick, fingerpicks. I would have a lot of thoughts for you so why don't you send me a message through here or through my website so we can connect through email. I am also relatively close to Chicago, about an hour and a half travel time depending on which side of the city you're on.

[@joancarlson8704]

Love your playing. Please keep this music alive, have you thought of "America " by Fahey? Would love to hear Leo play a rendition of it!

[@andrewlardner]

Perhaps some day!

[@stevegrooms1142]

I listen to many covers of great guitar compositions. This one astonished me by *perfectly* capturing the subtle sound of Fahey's original Takoma recording. Then I read that Fahey sometimes played a Recording King guitar. Do you know if he used it for his recording of Impressions of Susan? Sure sounds like it. Something always intrigued me with this piece. Just as you move to the second chord, you (and Fahey) hit a tricky lick that seems to have an extra note in it. It's the 10-second mark in this recording. Are you doing something special there?

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you Steve. We recently found images of Fahey at a 1967 folk festival with a Martin 000-42, kind of a surprise to me as I never knew him to play one. This was around the same time as the album but nothing indicates this was the guitar he used on vol6. I suspect he used the smaller Martin he is photographed with on the cover. His recording king came a little later in 68. It was a Ray Whitley made by Gibson, very different than the regal made one I had here. Nothing too special there in terms of technique, a forward rolling triplet that fahey commonly used in his writing. In the transcription of In Christ from my book you’ll find an identical maneuver, I can reference the measure if you need.

[@Sam-nx3ec]

Beautifully done. My favorite dandy song. Did you use a tab?

[@andrewlardner]

I did not

[@intomuse]

does this vintage guitar have a truss rod and did it require some adjustment to get the action to your liking and the neck to sound so true to pitch? Sounds like it's probably right on pitch on the octaves. Very clean sounding guitar, especially given it's age and origins. And I rather like the mid-range tone it has. Sort of a guitar one might play in the parlor of their home. Lovely back story on this haunting work of music. thanks for sharing.

[@andrewlardner]

Hi Tom. There is no adjustable truss rod. I've never checked with a magnet but the guitar is so light I assume that there isn't a steel reinforcing rod in the neck. The neck itself is quite large with a deep v profile which probably lends to its stability. It gets a little sharp past the 12th fret but not too bad. The guitar was very playable as found but is going in for some work in the near future.

[@arctichare8185]

Is that a new model of Recording King guitar? Apparently John Fahey used a Recording king.

[@andrewlardner]

It’s from 1940

[@mbahdarso803]

Please tab

[@juspasenthru]

One more thing: how might I view the photo of Susan Turner? Google doesn't help much this time.

[@andrewlardner]

It was printed in Guerrieri's book mentioned in the video description. It's a fantastic compilation of information on Fahey's discography, among other things. Thanks for "pasenthru."

[@gibby6904]

I love it sounds great! I just wish everyone would list the tuning.....the only people watching these are guitar players....and they want to know the tuning.....its not hard to say open D......etc....

[@nashwilliams5852]

Gibby open g minor

[@joe_newdawn]

That. Was. Beautiful. So true to the original, but at the same time your own passion flowed into it as well. I wonder how long it took you to learn that song. I wish I could play guitar just so I can learn to play it! Keep 'em coming!

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you Hanakane. I love this piece of music. I can't tell you how meaningful your comment is to me.

[@menelvegor]

Can you please tell me the tuning for this Andrew?

[@gautelykseth4678]

the tuning is open g minor. Thickest to thinnest string: DGDA#D

[@wherenextcolumbus666]

What is the tuning you are in?

[@stephenschiller]

The piece uses a g minor tuning: D,G,D,G,B flat, D

[@babylemurman]

Open G minor but not quite. The original recording has all strings just slightly tuned sharp, and the guy in the video appears to have matched his guitar exactly to that tuning. It's gives the song an interesting texture and still sounds good since the strings are tuned relative to each other.

[@stephenschiller]

@@babylemurman Yes, now that I think about it, you are right: I did have adjust the tuning slightly up when I played along with the record. Maybe a quarter of a semitone? I just thought it was a fluke at the time. But knowing Fahey, he does do stuff like that on purpose.

[@karlajiann4655]

my licke ms Lardner I'm an karla

[@Astralpains]

No offense but Take a breath and slow down bud..get that tempo right and you’ll be 100%. You got the fahey tickle down real good though. Fahey admired the turtle, be like the turtle..its not a race!

[@mito88]

beautiful