John Fahey – Requia
Split into two halves, John Fahey’s Requia kicks off with three gorgeous acoustic “requiems” for bluesmen that inspired the Washington, D.C. born guitarist. Side 2 is an entirely different affair, “Requiem For Molly” is an avant-garde sound collage featuring samples and tape loops (“Deutschland Uber Alles,” marching bands, screams) alongside Fahey’s finger-style and slide guitar. In “Part 3,” Fahey performs a rendition of “California Dreaming” on top of lion roars and human screams… While the composition is not without its faults (even Fahey considered it “a good learning experience”), the recording does serve as a wonderful introduction to Fahey’s extended experimentations in avant-garde music decades later and remains a classic in his catalog.
Recommended – Full Listen
A1 Requiem For John Hurt 5:05
A2 Requiem For Russell Blaine Cooper 8:51
A3 When The Catfish Is In Bloom 7:37
B1 Requiem For Molly, Part 1 7:35
B2 Requiem For Molly, Part 2 7:41
B3 Requiem For Molly, Part 3 2:28
B4 Requiem For Molly, Part 4 2:55
B5 Fight On Christians, Fight On 1:54
Composed By – John Fahey
Design – Greco & Emmi, Inc.
Edited By [Master Tape Editor] – Jack Lothrop
Effects [Special Effects Recorded By] – Barry Hansen (tracks: B1 to B4), John Fahey (tracks: B1 to B4), Samuel Charters* (tracks: B1 to B4)
Photography By – Michael Pander
Producer – Samuel Charters