Video

In Search of Blind Joe Death: The Saga of John Fahey

James Cullingham

2012, 58:00 minutes, colour, English

TAPECODE 792.03

A feature documentary about the tremendously influential composer, guitarist, author and provocateur John Fahey (1939-2001). The film combines live action and archival footage with animation in a kinetic, musically charged tribute to a great artist.

THE MAN Fahey began his musical journey in the Washington, D.C. area. His path would take him throughout the Mississippi Delta looking for musicians and the recordings they’d made in the 1920s and 30s. He spent much of his adult life based in Los Angeles, and Salem, Oregon when not performing throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. The recording companies that Fahey founded, Takoma and Revenant, set enduring standards for independent music production.

THE MYTH John Fahey is known as "the father of American Primitive Guitar." Some think of him as a foundational figure in American folk music. Fahey himself, however, insisted, "I am not a volk, how can I be a volk? I'm from the suburbs." There’s no question that his playing and compositions are superb. Fahey, as both musician and musicologist, made a fundamental contribution to the global understanding of classical American musics such as Delta blues, Appalachian bluegrass and New Orleans jazz.

FEATURING Pete Townshend, Joey Burns of Calexico, Chris Funk of The Decemberists and renowned radio personality Dr. Demento, aka Barry Hansen.

DVD Bonus Features include: Rare John Fahey Performance footage • John Fahey speaks - Woodburn Inn, 1999 • Performances by Chris Funk, Jimmy Crosthwait, George Winston and others • Extended interviews with Pete Townshend, Dean Blackwood and Joe Bussard.

www.johnfaheyfilm.com

www.wypr.org/podcast/remembering-life-guitarist-john-fahey

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Critical Writing

In Search of Blind Joe Death: The Saga of John Fahey
by Dennis Rozanski. Mojoworkin.com, Feb. 2014.
John Fahey: the guitarist who was too mysterious for the world:...
by Sean O'Hagen. The Guardian, Nov. 26, 2013.