"When the Catfish Is in Bloom" by John Fahey

My June Patreon lesson teaches you how to play Fahey's "When the Catfish Is in Bloom." Life is too short, there's no time to waste on free internet tablature. Come hang out with us and support thoughtful lessons and carefully researched repertoire. / andrewlardnerguitar

[@greekflatpicker]

No one plays Fahey better. And what a sound!!

[@stuwilkinson4166]

Dude this is my favourite Fahey piece and there's no tabs on it anywhere. I've been waiting for this all my life

[@andrewlardner]

Great! I’m pretty sure you are on my Patreon. I hope you enjoy the tab and the video lesson

[@stuwilkinson4166]

@@andrewlardner I am now man haha

[@DeathCircleCity]

Can't believe you finally got around to this!! Amazing cover, thank you so much.

[@3704x278]

Stunning Andy, beautifully done.

[@GWGuitarStudio]

Magnificent!

[@FocusOutdoorAdventures]

Wooooow. This is incredible. Thanks Andrew!

[@laurielardner593]

Epic piece!

[@jchunter6717]

This is amazing. I am obsessed with Kottke but have always struggled with Fahey for some reason. I finally get it.

[@andrewlardner]

That’s great. I used to be the same way. The one that did it for me was When the Springtime Comes Again.

[@fakepivot]

I've been playing this video on repeat, so GOOD!

[@andrewlardner]

I'm glad you like it. I think it's the best thing I've recorded in a long time. I wish it got the same attention that some of my other videos have, underrated composition by Fahey.

[@bobwerner6967]

Beautiful. Takes me back to the first time I heard Requia. Blew my mind! Thank you!

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you Bob. I transcribed this from my favorite recording, The Great Santa Barbara Oil Slick. I think of it as his most evolved version of the tune since it was recorded the next year. Obviously, it eventually morphed into a significant portion of Fare Forward Voyagers.

[@bobwerner6967]

@@andrewlardner Yes, a great recording. Fahey obviously loved the piece and re-worked it over the course of his career. Thank you for keeping his music alive.

[@Mohamed1933]

Beautiful.

[@jonesscotta7946]

You know how you know it’s the next song obsession when you hear it? Fabulous playing Andrew. A bit late (9 months) to game here, but I am glad I came.

[@andrewlardner]

I don't like making "lists," but if I were forced to I'd say this is in my top 10 favorite fingerstyle solos.

[@LaMbOfGoD8975]

I watch your videos all the time in admiration and for reference in my own playing.. you have no idea how happy seeing you post this made me🤘

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you

[@Alexisionfire]

Been subbed for a while and learnt both Lion (last week) and Turnpike Terror (today) from watching your videos and then you come with a new upload today.. could not be happier! Thanks so much for sharing your work, playing some of my favourites perfectly and introducing me to new music and artists. You're the real MVP

[@calvincooper2669]

Andy has my vote for MVP. Great work!

[@hanksauce]

do you know what tuning turnpike terror is in? its such a great tune and i want to learn it!!

[@NiceWorkBoyo]

Guitar is sounding great and the beard is looking stellar buddy

[@andrewlardner]

Thanks dude. Miss seeing you

[@eliyag1]

YES!! FINALLY!

[@andrewlardner]

I found an old comment from you requesting this one!

[@nashwilliams5852]

Played as well as if Fahey himself were picking.

[@UptheArsenal]

Really great, Andrew. Could you tell us some about your recording setup here?

[@andrewlardner]

I keep it simple, brain -> fingers -> guitar -> mics (rode nt5) -> analog to digital interface (doesn't really matter what kind) -> mix/export in Logic. I try not to do anything in the mix except raise the levels.

[@francescopadormo]

This is fantastic, thanks for sharing. Needless to say, tabs (for purchase!) would be hugely appreciated.

[@francescopadormo]

Ecstatic to see you have a Patreon - you’ve just got yourself a new subscriber 👍🏼

[@andrewlardner]

@@francescopadormo Thank you Francesco. Yes, my tablature and a full video play through of the tune where I discuss the more important elements are on the Patreon. Would love to see you there.

[@CroatAndNettles]

I am immensely grateful for this extraordinary performance of "When the Catfish is In Bloom." I regard it as one of Fahey's most coherent and beautiful compositions from about 1970, that defines both his artistry as a composer and his skill as a musician. You play it magnificently well, keeping the original timing and phrasing and bringing forth the magic in abundance. If I have any problem with it, it happens in the bridge after what Fahey would have called the first coming out and the beginning of the second coming out. Here you substitute in a perfectly good transition, but it is not the original and I have some reservations. Still you get the highest possible marks for playing so very well and capturing so much of what is transcendent about the piece. Who has seen them in bloom, and who has not? I think you know.

[@andrewlardner]

Thank you. This performance is based on the way Fahey played it in 1968, about a year after he originally recorded it. It is faithful to that, which happens to be my favorite version.

[@jasonw4053]

Why would you have a "problem" with him playing a different transition? Why would you have a problem with someone making up their own improvisations around the piece? Fahey rarely played anything exactly the same way twice, anyway. Repeating and copying tunes note for note doesn't take the music anywhere. Andrew plays tunes as they were recorded but with his own voice.

[@Ma_rkw589]

Fuckin epic

[@ronnieblanton272]

Hey again

[@Ma_rkw589]

3 beers down at the Double Locks pub. What will become of Mark David

[@ronnieblanton272]

Are u playing a Gibson or s bozo 12 string? Always wanted a bozo 12, at any rate enjoy the fruit of your labor I certainly do.

[@andrewlardner]

Hi Ronnie, the guitar in this video is a Euphonon