John may not have been the fastest or most technically skilled 6 steel string guitarist, but he is the best and my favorite. Guitar is not, at least shouldn't be, about technical accuracy or theory. To me, it is about sound and invoking emotion. I was fortunate enough to hear John play live several times and he sent chills down my spine. So beautiful, so seemingly simple and logical, so perfect! No one has approached him in composing in this idiom. The best.
It’s hard to say why he’s so good not even really technically good but can play insanely I’m not saying he’s not a competent guitarist but he wouldn’t even need to be
Wow that's incredible. I couldn't imagine that, must have been a very special feeling witnessing a true musical genius, the likes of which this world will probably never see again.
everything passed almost the same like the year till 5:22 and then u hear sounds like in reality when spring comes u notice a lot of new atmosphere, this is genius
My all time favorite John Fahey song. First song of his I heard( sadly only about 1 year ago). It's hauntingly sad and depressing, yet peaceful and joyful, while invoking a feeling of panic and fear, somehow. Amazing.
I think this captures my soul. It really resonates the feeling of sadness and hope at the same time...melancholy yet joyful....loss and gain......for me the song is yin and yang....
genius angel with God and demons inside, thanks for bringing us along on your ride, Which I'll never forget, or try to ignore, you felt a river's weight of humanity's lore, and reinvented our spirit to go deep and embrace it all the more.
4:20 onwards....what many great guitarists of John's time forgot to play. The simple chords and tunes that touch common man's heart... Those guitarists were too much technically, instead
Funny thing. This is a cover on bluegrass song "when springtime comes again" by Carter's family. But he change this song so much, so it's now a different song.
He had a lot of health and mental issues along with alcoholism. He died on the operating table during a sextuple open heart bypass surgery. So tragic 💔😢😥😢💔🛌😊😥😫
I want to read ''bluegrass music destroyed my life'' desperately, but I'm from south america and I'd have to import it from amazon, which is hella expensive.
I'm not certain but he was probably familiar with it. He always would take riffs from other songs and mix them into his. Alot of people these days would call that "Plagarism," I call it musical evolution.
Anyone have any idea what he's playing in the first 20 seconds or so? It sounds like fragments of a song, maybe by Baden Powell, but I can't put my finger on it. It's strikingly familiar.
It sounds like a progression that he plays in a tune called let go..... I believe anyway. I wanted to post here before I search so I did not lose this comment lol. On that other tune he plays it with alternating base though. Edit: it looks like he plays that tune at the same concert. Plays it a bit differently on the studio version but I believe it is the same progression. It kind of acts as a release to the tension of the primary section of the tune.
I think it's his fingers as much as the guitar, the way he plays right up close to the bridge makes it sound more cutting. Other players play more over the sound hole which makes for a rounder, more stately sound. Of course, the guitar will have a bearing but I believe John could make anything sound good.
On the album America there is a long form version of Springtime called Mark 1:15. That's where this comes from, I don't think it resembles Waterfall except a couple of chord progressions are similar. Check it out.
This sound , what ever it is, is what humanity is lacking at the moment.
Damn...
Now it's more actually then ever
John may not have been the fastest or most technically skilled 6 steel string guitarist, but he is the best and my favorite. Guitar is not, at least shouldn't be, about technical accuracy or theory. To me, it is about sound and invoking emotion. I was fortunate enough to hear John play live several times and he sent chills down my spine. So beautiful, so seemingly simple and logical, so perfect! No one has approached him in composing in this idiom. The best.
It’s hard to say why he’s so good not even really technically good but can play insanely I’m not saying he’s not a competent guitarist but he wouldn’t even need to be
John played this for me in the early 70's in his dressing room! I so love this song and miss him terribly
Wow that's incredible. I couldn't imagine that, must have been a very special feeling witnessing a true musical genius, the likes of which this world will probably never see again.
Lots of sweat, a terrible comb-over, and incredibly beautiful playing: The three things I've come to expect from a John Fahey video.
Sometimes the most talented musicians are those that care less of physical aesthetics.
me, except incredibly beautiful playing
Alcohol just pouring from his body
I could sit and listen to this artist for hours. He is an incredibly gifted musician.
Listening to John Fahey on a cool December morning
everything passed almost the same like the year till 5:22 and then u hear sounds like in reality when spring comes u notice a lot of new atmosphere, this is genius
God given talent
5:20 for me is the most beautiful thing ive heard.
I honestly think this set the bar for where guitar can take you
My all time favorite John Fahey song. First song of his I heard( sadly only about 1 year ago). It's hauntingly sad and depressing, yet peaceful and joyful, while invoking a feeling of panic and fear, somehow. Amazing.
He kills it starting at 5:22. Extraordinary sounds from Fahey. So satisfying.
He does, but my favorite part is the passage just before that -- achingly sad but with a touch of hope.
Love this guy ......guitar picking to mediate with your morning coffee
Always enjoy listening to John Fahey going back to when I hear him on Takoma Records.
such a talent...I hear classical influences meshed with country and folk..amazing.
I think this captures my soul. It really resonates the feeling of sadness and hope at the same time...melancholy yet joyful....loss and gain......for me the song is yin and yang....
4:21 onwards... as beautiful a piece of music as I have ever heard.
I can see your soul John... really a masterpiece
Davis Beef he's dead m8,
riperonni pepporoni :[
this is unbelievable, this man was a legend. Thanks for uploading these videos!
What a legend!
Could there be a singular favorite of this master? Probably not....but I'll take this one.
This is my favorite John Fahey song.
I bought the Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death years ago. I always wondered what John Fahey looked like.
Did he ever come to UK?
Stunning
genius angel with God and demons inside, thanks for bringing us along on your ride,
Which I'll never forget, or try to ignore, you felt a river's weight of humanity's lore, and reinvented our spirit to go deep and embrace it all the more.
The best version of have heard of this classic Fahey piece. Guitardw's comment says it all.
Absolutely Fab.!!!!!
this makes me cry :(
4:20 onwards....what many great guitarists of John's time forgot to play. The simple chords and tunes that touch common man's heart... Those guitarists were too much technically, instead
Drop d
Or c either way
Not that that matters
Fahey could have done more music in standard tuning
Not that that matters
beyond words
One of my early Fahey albums titles this piece as "The transcendental waterfall".... Artist's license...
He is mixing and matching. cheers!
He always changes the name and tunes.h
Someone must have broken Fahey's heart as much as mine.
I hope you feel better now, seven years after your comment.
Are you well? I must know.
He'll be fine guys. He's a rude dude with attitude(TM) (BTW the TM is because I don't want to get in the shit on this one)
Funny thing. This is a cover on bluegrass song "when springtime comes again" by Carter's family. But he change this song so much, so it's now a different song.
John Fahey ruined my life
how?
@@je7647 he might be referring to John Fahey's book "How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life" or maybe John Fahey murdered his family.
Fahey was all original and genius. This video shows why
Excessive sweating usually indicates heart disease....I know from experience.....what a poor troubled soul....a genius no doubt....
He had a lot of health and mental issues along with alcoholism. He died on the operating table during a sextuple open heart bypass surgery. So tragic 💔😢😥😢💔🛌😊😥😫
Probably my favorite Fahey tune. Wonder what years this was? Late 70s, early 80s? He wasn't old enough to be having heart problems yet was he?
Early eighties.
He was definitely having heart problems ( he not know it yet).
Thank you for posting this!! I grew up listening to him c/o my parents, love him. What year was this shot?
Around 83/4 I've heard
I want to read ''bluegrass music destroyed my life'' desperately, but I'm from south america and I'd have to import it from amazon, which is hella expensive.
thanks
thanks!
so good
Proof, if ever any was needed, that you don't have to have a full head of hair to be a genius.
great!
I'm not certain but he was probably familiar with it. He always would take riffs from other songs and mix them into his. Alot of people these days would call that "Plagarism," I call it musical evolution.
music collage
Looks like his body temperature is 500 degrees.
I practice guitar also and I can say that Fahey's very big and tall.
around 1984
Note-for-note, it's a theme from "Canto de Ossanha" by Baden Powell. Is it a coincidence? or was Fahey familiar with the tune?
Only the start when he's fidling to see if it is in tune... He made a cover of it on one of his last albums though.
Anyone have any idea what he's playing in the first 20 seconds or so? It sounds like fragments of a song, maybe by Baden Powell, but I can't put my finger on it. It's strikingly familiar.
It sounds like a progression that he plays in a tune called let go..... I believe anyway. I wanted to post here before I search so I did not lose this comment lol. On that other tune he plays it with alternating base though.
Edit: it looks like he plays that tune at the same concert. Plays it a bit differently on the studio version but I believe it is the same progression. It kind of acts as a release to the tension of the primary section of the tune.
It’s canto de ossana
@@ehaber197 Looks like Omnirath below found it!
@@omnirath Thanks! Funnily enough I've heard that song so many times since and didn't make the connection.
@@ml239 I think Fahey did a full cover of the bola sete version, it’s a great song !!
Hmm wonder what brand of guitar ? sounds great.
He often plays a Bacon and Day Senorita.
Seems to be a Martin, look at the headstock.
I think it's his fingers as much as the guitar, the way he plays right up close to the bridge makes it sound more cutting. Other players play more over the sound hole which makes for a rounder, more stately sound. Of course, the guitar will have a bearing but I believe John could make anything sound good.
dear god he's drinking out of a carafe...
John Fahey - Let Go
Does this incorporate elements of another track. What is it? There's a change...
The Transcendental Waterfall.
Hey thanks Rob- I got a google notification re: your reply :)
On the album America there is a long form version of Springtime called Mark 1:15. That's where this comes from, I don't think it resembles Waterfall except a couple of chord progressions are similar. Check it out.
Starting around 5:20 is from Mark 1:15
4:15 4:49
Spell. Binding.
anyone knows what tuning this is?
drop D.
@@karlkellar8614 I'm sure after six years it was great to finally get a answer
@@christopherjones4789 Better late than never. . . .
Drop D is a great and versatile tuning. Just ask Richard Thompson.
Just drop D.
4:21 and on..... Fahey is God.
Someone turn the god damn air conditioning down for Christ sake .