THE CD: “I Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey” (Vanguard Records)
PERFORMER: Several

John Fahey was the creator of what he called “American Primitive Guitar,” which is marked by a contemplative deep blues feel, played solo, fingerstyle, with open tunings. He was an early influence on — and champion of — Leo Kottke, Peter Lang and others. Fahey died on Feb. 24, 2001.

Vanguard Records has released this new collection to mark the fifth anniversary of Fahey’s death. It features a clutch of artists unfamiliar to me: The Fruit Bats, Devendra Banhart, Lee Ranaldo, and Howe Gelb. Former Plimsoul Peter Case has a tune here, too.

Like Fahey’s music, the CD is very quiet and meditative, and well… somewhat repetitive. But as any traditional musician knows, repetition is good for you. And Fahey’s tunes are ripe for interpretation. “The Dance of Death” from Calexico has a great groove. Ranaldo’s “The Singing Bridge of Memphis, Tennessee” has what sounds like the rhythm of cars hitting pavement as a backdrop to acoustic guitar and feedback, with vocal chorus. The effect is very gentle.
“Bean Vine Blues” evokes Mississippi John Hurt, and sounds like it is played through the kind of 8 watt amps Woolworth’s used to sell back in 1965, only with a busted speaker — and set on 12. Cul De Sac’s “The Portland Cement Factory” is interrupted by what sound like emergency transmissions from Mars.

This is a great collection and homage to the master of American Primitive.

— By Paul Gartner

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