Things we like: John Fahey

Hadn’t listened to Fahey in a long time. First discovered him back when I was originally flipping out about Leo Kottke in the 70s. Re-discovering Fahey’s 1965 record The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death, which I recently downloaded from eMusic after the vinyl version long ago went to live who knows where.

A strange man, John Fahey, with an unusual set of guitar styles. This album, originally released on Riverboat Records and later reissued by Fahey's own Takoma label, has a lot of rough edges in terms of the recording but a tremendous amount of power when it comes to the music. Fahey was at the top of his game, alternately playful and dark, so there's never a dull moment. There is always something new to be heard on each playing.—from Steven McDonald on AllMusic.com