Audio CD review:
John Fahey - Requia & Other Compositions For Guitar Solo

John Fahey - Requia & Other Compositions For Guitar Solo

Band: John Fahey Title: Requia & Other Compositions For Guitar Solo Rating: Release Date: 27 May, 1997 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Requiem For John Hurt 2: Requiem For Russell Blaine Cooper 3: When The Catfish Is In Bloom 4: Requiem For Molly (Part 1) 5: Requiem For Molly (Part 2) 6: Requiem For Molly (Part 3) 7: Requiem For Molly (Part 4) 8: Fight On Christians, Fight On

Editoral Review These moody, contemplative instrumental works (all featuring Fahey at his guitar-playing peak) resonate with passion, artistry, and--most of all--soul. John Fahey's extended experimentations decades later with avant-garde's music elite is foreshadowed on 1967's adventurous Requia. "When the Catfish Is in Bloom" gradually crescendoes with Fahey's increasing, breakneck tempo, which--around the six-minute mark--becomes a blur of impossible fingerpicking that is both awe-inspiring and swinging. In the first part of "Requiem for Molly," the listener is bombarded by sound samples and tape loops, with Fahey slowly finding his chords. But the guitarist doesn't just noodle; he lets the composition slowly unfold, with humorous found-sound samples abounding and enough familiar guitar themes creeping up to keep you on guard. By part 3 Fahey reaches his most melancholy moment, letting out a methodical rendition of "California Dreaming" on top of lion roars and human screams. Though Fahey's playing influenced an entire generation of talented young guitar pickers, including Leo Kottke, his conceptual prowess goes unmatched here. A truly seminal recording. --Jason Verlinde .. You can see a complete list of all John Fahey discography, or go back to the John Fahey tabs