John Fahey

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John Fahey (February 28, 1939–February 22, 2001) combined folk, blues, Indian raga, 20th century composition styles, and classical into a musical gestalt he called “American Primitive,” bringing back the solo guitar as an emotive instrument in the process.

Widely heralded as one of the greatest fingerstyle guitarists of all time, it is rare to find a solo acoustic guitarist worth his salt that does not cite Fahey as an influence. A very diverse array of bands, including Slint, Cul de Sac (with whom he has also collaborated on a 1997 record), Sonic Youth, and the avant-garde musician Jim O’Rourke also acknowledge his influence.

Late in his life he began recording increasingly experimental music.

Tagged as:

folk, guitar, blues, instrumental, experimental
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America
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Top Tracks

1	On The Sunny Side Of The Ocean full track	168
2	In Christ There Is No East Or West full track	118
3	America full track	100
4	The Death Of The Clayton Peacock full track	98
5	Orinda-Moraga full track	84
6	Poor Boy	78
7	When The Springtime Comes Again full track	73
8	Sunflower River Blues	70
8	The Yellow Princess full track	70
10	Tell Her To Come Back Home	65
11	Beautiful Linda Getchell	64
12	Lion full track	61
12	Joe Kirby Blues full track	61
14	On Doing An Evil Deed Blues	59
15	Brenda's Blues	58

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polymorphous71 wrote:
Saturday evening

Holy.

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Buttsnake wrote:
Friday evening

Mushrooms + A Campfire + John Fahey = A Beautiful Night.

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secretpassage wrote:
last month

primitive

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Smirnon wrote:
last month

yes call the pope we want answers!

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sigilove wrote:
last month

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! MOST OF THE SONGS WERE DELETED!!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE TRACKS?!?!! WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT PEOPLE TO HEAR THIS BRILLIANT MUSIC?!?!?! this is the worst thing that's ever happened except for maybe everything else in 2009. if he were alive, he would be PISSED.

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miles_of_smiles wrote:
October 2009

Hello all - Meg Baird (Espers) is playing with Jack Rose at Cecil Sharp House in London on Sunday 8th November. http://www.last.fm/event/1167018+Jack+Rose+at+Cecil+Sharp+House+on+8+November+2009 Also upcoming: 04/12/09 Six Organs of Admittance/Voice of the Seven Woods +1 tbc, Bush Hall; 17/12/09 Tall Firs/ Hush Arbors/Dean McPhee, Cafe Oto; http://www.milesofsmiles.co.uk

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soymedialoca wrote:
October 2009

sligo river blues is one of the most soothing songs i've ever heard.

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MakePizzaNotWar wrote:
October 2009

I live in Orinda ten minutes away from Moraga O.O

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Smirnon wrote:
August 2009

besides his guitar-play, i'm also very astounded by how completely different this guy looks as he ages

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shallo wrote:
August 2009

For all John Fahey fans, I have created the American Primitive group. http://www.last.fm/group/American+Primitive. If you are an artist or fan of this style (regardless of if you are in America or not) please join the group.

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shallo wrote:
August 2009

shallow hollowed body - http://www.last.fm/music/shallow+hallowed+body

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el_yucatan wrote:
August 2009

Magician

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deadmissbates wrote:
August 2009

If we could live our lives the way Fahey plays guitar, existence would be bliss.

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h4h4 wrote:
July 2009

<3

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sankathi wrote:
July 2009

LEGEND

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Smokerno wrote:
July 2009

Anybody know where I can get a copy of "How Bluegrass Music Destroyed my Life" without paying 150 bucks? Most of the places that list it at it's uninflated price have some sort of "not in stock-backorder" thing that I am not sure would get me the book. Thanks

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floydfan2277 wrote:
June 2009

First time I ever heard john Fahey was on the Zabriskie Point Soundtrack doing "Dance of Death. Love it!!

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DirtyPockets wrote:
May 2009

If you like Fahey, you might very well like me too http://www.last.fm/music/Dirty+Pockets/Corner+Market

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adamcooleyisdea wrote:
April 2009

God, Time and Causality.. by far the most essential.

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BorzumSul wrote:
April 2009

The God of folk guitar.

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