Wrath of the Grapevine: The Roots of John Fahey

June 1, 2008 12:33 PM

So, about 9 months ago I started working on this compilation... Until yesterday, however, I hadn't seen a tracklist from the mysterious 10-cd set called the VrootzBox, so this is not a derivative work, however similar it may be...I should mention that not all of these songs are songs that he covered or copped licks from. Most of the music he has made mention to, though a few of the songs were recorded after his formative years and one or two he never would have heard. But they are presented to give an illustration of the styles he drew from (such as gamelan, which he grew up playing in his neighbor's back yard).

Wrath of the Grapevine: The Roots of John Fahey
via FaheyGuitarPlayers
posted by y2karl (12 comments total)

It's amazing what an obsessive compulsive disorder can produce when directed properly.

And I mean that in praise. This is wonderful.
posted by ardgedee at 12:50 PM on June 1, 2008

Holy smokes. If this is as awesome as it has the potential to be you, y2karl, will be my new MetaHero.
posted by clockwork at 1:16 PM on June 1, 2008

thanks very much for this post (and all your other great ones) from a Fahey fan since 1963
posted by indices at 1:17 PM on June 1, 2008

I thought about grouping the music into styles (hillbilly music, country blues, modern classical music, etc), but decided that in Fahey's world and music, these genres were not so disparate and could in fact flow seamlessly into one another.

This proves that our boy is not totally obsessive compulsive. But just enough for us to gain from it.
posted by Faze at 1:39 PM on June 1, 2008

Truly thought out, researched, and archived. Incredible find.
posted by gcbv at 2:01 PM on June 1, 2008

God damn that looks good -- and just I happened to boring some poor kid on the virtues of 'The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death' not two hours ago down at the shop. Internets, do yo' stuff.

Thank you thank you thank you.
posted by Kinbote at 3:33 PM on June 1, 2008

I was walked into a bike shop this afternoon listening to John Fahey on my headphones - when I took my headphones off, I continued to hear John Fahey, playing in the shop! This post continues the coincidences nicely. Good post, thanks!
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 4:15 PM on June 1, 2008 [1 favorite]

totally interesting. thanks again y2karl - i've been checking out metafilter for a couple of years now, and i can honestly say i've been turned onto something cool from every one of your posts. much appreciated.
posted by facetious at 4:21 PM on June 1, 2008

This is utterly phenomenal. Thank you.
posted by whm at 11:33 PM on June 1, 2008

holy crap! what an incredible cornucopia of music - thanks very much for this
posted by jammy at 5:58 AM on June 2, 2008

Wow, this is seriously cool. I've loved Fahey for a while, and am familiar with a number of his influences, but this is just perfect. Thanks!
posted by palimpsest at 4:43 PM on June 2, 2008

Thanks, y2karl. This is exactly what I've been needing lately to clear the musical air.
posted by sleepy pete at 6:21 PM on June 2, 2008