John Fahey - Dance Of Death & Other Plantation Favorites

A Favorite since the 70's

Have listened to John Fahey since the 70's......his music is relaxing, energizing, and uplifting. I never get tired of it and still play it often. His playing is wonderful company....peaceful, retrospective, and makes me happy to hear it.....JS May 12, 2008

Essential!

Fahey was a modern Orpheus.
He stands head-to-head with such great intrumental "pickers" as Manitas de Plata and Ravi Shankar.
All guitar players young and old (especially young) should ingest Fahey NOW.
All guitar lovers (and indeed all music lovers) should
sit back,
relax,
and let his music transport them into transcendental states.
I do. March 7, 2006

A great listen!

Being sans record player and all my LPs in storage I thought it was about time to start replacing some of my favorites with CDs. I bought all of Fahey's albums in the 60's after hearing this one at a friends. I was zapped! I think that's the way it is with Fahey. You have ten or none. In my opinion his early work was his best. John is at his somber best here! I don't have a favorite Fahey album but this one ranks high for sure! You can't go wrong with any of those 60's "color" albums. This one is,"You know, the orange one"! Great! September 27, 2003

Great Compositions

I am transported by this music, maybe a dusty road in the country, or a dark wood, or a lazy afternoon by the river with a long reed in between my teeth, lightly splashing my feet in the river, watching a turtle or something. Or its Mexico in the late 1800s..Or... Its really an amazing album with a slew of wonderful compositions. My favorite Fahey album, though America and Blind Joe Death are close. The best song is perhaps Wine and Roses. I would describe these records for the uninitiated as fine finger-picking steel string compositions, no singing (thank goodness), similar to some Kottke but less flashy and more contemplative. Folksy and bluesy but more than that. Melodic, rhtyhmic, very accessible but not predictable, not sugary sweet, sophisticated construction. A rambling feel generally. All kinds of different images and colors being suggested. Just a great composer! Anyway if you are only going to buy one Fahey album I recommend this one. July 11, 2000

The Dance of Death and other Plantation Favorites

Ask yourself, what would it sound like if a civil war veteran rose up out of a battlefield grave so that he could relate to any listeners his ancient story? Imagine skeletal hands pressing against frets, conveying a feeling of long lost, spook, and mystery. Now ask youself once more, what would it sound like to convey a total revelation? A life changing experience that altered the way you comprehend all things. Fahey's album sounds old, but each original song is played in a new and masterful way. An incredible combination that is worth your while. April 25, 2000

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