Another NYC REVIEW by Jim Linderman
I was lucky
to see the John Fahey show at Tonic in the East Village in the
afternoon. As I am trying to teach myself
guitar and only know three chords
and don't even know the names of them...I can't
really review the technical
aspects of the show (which was mesmerizing).
It was a nice, bright, small
club and I thought a very special place to see
Fahey. It filled up as the
opening act was finishing. I'd never seen
Fahey before and my first thought
as he walked on the stage in shorts, black tee,
grey work socks and boots was
"this is one cool dude and he sure isn't to be
messed with" He's playing
electric, but seems to be primitive electric...just
a small amp, not much
electric tinkering or treatment.
I must confess
I was there to see the fellow who knocked around and tracked
down Charley Patton's ghost, Booker White and Skip
James more than I was to
see the Guitar Player...but his playing was wonderful,
fluid, long songs that
were more of a mood than a number.
Lots of circles and traces and thought.
Recognizable phrases appear and float away, it
was a very introspective and a
relaxing afternoon. He couldn't talk much,
his throat was shot but he
croaked out a few gruff comments which warmed as
the show progressed. It was
a privilege to see him in such an intimate place.
- thanks to Jim Linderman