Folk /
Requia & Other Compositions
In his liner notes to this release, John Fahey mentions his desire to have an entire world orchestra in his guitar, Western to Eastern, bagpipes to gamelan. Perhaps it's this mental approach that sets his music so deliciously far apart from other so-called folk guitarists. Requia is essentially in two sections. One is a series of blues-based pieces in line with music he had previously recorded. These include the lovely "Requiem for John Hurt" and a wry "Fight On Christians, Fight On," both of wh…
Of Rivers And Religions & After The Ball
This German Warner Bros. reissue is a nice repackaging of the late John Fahey's 1972 album Of Rivers Religion and his wonderfully genteel 1973 release After the Ball from his all too brief sojourn with the label. These recordings represent a shift for Fahey, playing both solo and with an ensemble. On Of Rivers Religion, the ensemble included many of the New Orleans players who performed on Walt Disney's Song of the South film soundtrack. Gorgeous, slow, ringing slide and fingerplucked tones esta…
Happy Sad
One of the best albums of the late '60s and Tim Buckley's most underrated album, Happy Sad was a change-up pitch for the eclectic L.A. singer/songwriter. Sounding like a bit like Fred Neil's Capitol-era albums, Buckley and his small, acoustic-based ensemble create beautiful, jazz tinged folk-rock.
Dream Letter: Live In London 1968
Recorded in London's Queen Elizabeth Hall on July 10, 1968 this impressive 2-hour live concert presents the Washingtonian prodigy folk singer at his best. He was only 21 years old when he had this incredible chance to show the world his talent which would carry him through a short but prolific career -- 9 albums released between 1966 and his death in 1975. Accompanied by Lee Underwood, David Friedman and Pentangle's bass player Danny Thompson, Buckley caressed his 12 string acoustic guitar in an…
Seal Of The Blue Lotus
Seal of the Blue Lotus is the 1965 debut from the extraordinary folk guitarist Robbie Basho, who released numerous albums for John Fahey's Takoma label during the '60s. His mystical approach to six- and 12-string guitar improvisation shares many similarities to John Fahey in that Basho, too, was inspired by Eastern modalities -- his six-string melodies recalling the Indian ragas of Ravi Shankar's "Dhun in Musra Mund." "Mountain Man's Farewell" is an outstanding piece that displays the early seed…
Dr. Boogie Presents Rarities from the Bob Hite Vaults
These rare pieces are taken from Bob Hite's fabulous collection of 78rpm records. A historical collection that helped, in its own way, save from oblivion the rural bluesmen who have dropped out of the scene decades ago and made possible their reintegration to history. Everyone is now entitled to hear this chunk of the treasure. Compiled by the famous DJ Dr Boogie with the help of Fito De La Parra (Canned Heat drummer).
Dr. Boogie Presents Shim Sham Shimmy
Is it really possible to imagine what modern music would sound like if a few pioneering geniuses had not had the idea of electrifying their instruments, especially guitar and harmonica, between 1945 and 1950? Some purist will regret this evolution, but, in the '50s, the new sound will be heard in all the studios and night clubs of the United States; it will become a staple on the radio, in stores, at weddings, and private parties. It will radically transform the music scene and allow hundreds of…
Oh, Run Into Me, But Don't Hurt Me!
...Female Blues Singers - Rarities 1923-1930. LP version, previously issued on CD. The Sub Rosa label presents a collection of works from obscure and forgotten female blues singers. These voices have survived, through hardship and death, through the dark years of The Great Depression, when profoundly sincere and ferociously ironic blues were at their peak. However, this selection does not constitute a theme-based anthology: it is simply a few little-known female blues singers whose ambiguous lea…
s/t
The classic 1969 recording, originally released on the Poppy label, was Texas country blues & folk singer Townes Van Zandt's third full-length release...influenced by Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and Lightnin' Hopkins, Van Zandt's unique style -- at times brooding and introspective, at times relentlessly forceful and dynamic -- spoke to the dark corners of the human soul, and has been claimed as an influence by everyone from Sonic Youth to Willie Nelson...
For The Sake Of The Song
Originally released in 1968 For The Sake Of The Song is a re-issue of Townes' well known debut album. Produced by Jack Clement (Charley Pride, Chet Atkins, U2 etc.) and featuring original liner notes by Mickey Newbury, Townes Van Zandt went on to cement his status as a cult icon among gifted song writers.
Delta Momma Blues
One of four new CD reissues of the early albums of renowned songwriter Townes Van Zandt. Recorded between 1969 and 1978, these albums are the heart of any serious consideration of Van Zandt's brilliant career. Features some of the most iconic cover art in album history, each designed by Milton Glaser.
Be Here To Love Me
Be Here to Love Me is the official soundtrack from a docmentary film by Margaret Brown about Townes Van Zandt. The music on these two discs is largely taken from Van Zandt's catalog on Tomato, but there are a couple of live cuts and alternate versions of previously released cuts contributed by his longtime manager Harold F. Eggers These include "Nothin'," "Black Crow Blues," and "To Live's to Fly." There are a few bits of movie audio offered by Brown. In sum, this is a two-disc compilation that …
Dr Ragtime & Pals / Self Titled
Domestic version of Jack Rose's new full length, Dr. Ragtime And His Pals, coupled with a reissue of last year's self-titled CD/LP housed in a custom designed and fabricated off-set printed card cover with j-card style obi (there is also a jewel case version on the UK label Beautiful Happiness). Limited edition of 1000.
In My Own Time
First time on CD, first vinyl reissue. Remastered from the Original Master Tapes. Liner notes by Lenny Kaye (Nuggets, Patti Smith), Devendra Banhart, and Nick Cave. The late Karen Dalton has been the muse for countless folk rock geniuses, from Bob Dylan to Devendra Banhart, from Lucinda Williams to Joanna Newsom. Legendary singer Lacy J. Dalton actually adopted her hero's surname as her own when she started her career in country music.
Karen Dalton had that affect on people -- her timeless, achi…
The Yellow Princess
Originally released in either 1968 or 1969 depending on your sources, The Yellow Princess saw a post-philosophy degree, subculture-aware Fahey branching out from his earlier, more traditional work. He earned his name back in 1959 at the age of 20, with his Blind Joe Death debut album. Following that album Fahey engaged in a wide stylistic range, from Appalachian-style fingerpicking to delta blues, but this album and its partner Requia, both for the Vanguard label, took Fahey to places for which,…
Providence
New Zealand based Stefan Neville is Pumice. My first contact with his music was 'Pumiceraft' (Last Visible Dog, 2004), one of the best record of the last 10 years if you ask me. This new single ep, offers 4 songs recorded in US in 2006, during his residence at AS 220, Providence, RI. And it's supposed to be the new Pumice classic! Tracks sound like a beautiful mix of psyche-pop songs and near-droning rock, all mixed in a lo-fi punk style! Have a listen to the most fragile approach to pop music e…
Best Of Fahey V2 1964-83
this now deleted compilation concentrates on Fahey’s best work from his later years(1964-83) at Takoma, presenting many tracks new to CD. Also included are three tunes from his long-lost and unreleased Takoma album, "Azalea City Memories", as well as a long work, ‘The Fahey Sampler’, rare and unheard for many years
The Best Of John Fahey: 1959-1977
long deleted album by John Fahey, simply one of the most original & expressive guitarists ever, created the "American Primitive Guitar" genre w/his 1st Takoma Records release in 1959. This new comp concentrates on his best work from his later yrs at Takoma, much never available on CD. Also included are 3 tunes from his long-lost & unreleased album "Azalea City Memories," as well as a long work "They Fahey Sampler" rare & unheard for many yrs
From The Bottom of an Old Grandfather Clock
Subtitled: A Collection of Demos and Outtakes, 1966-70. Described by Mojo magazine as 'Britain's pop Salinger,' the reclusive Bill Fay cut the classic 'Screams In The Ears'/'Some Good Advice' single in 1967 before making two dark singer-songwriter albums for Decca, at which point he opted for public silence. This CD features 25 stunning, previously-unreleased late '60s demos. Baroque '60s pop at its finest, this important release includes new quotes from Bill. 2004 release.
Bashovia
Drawing his name from a Japanese poet, his musical style from eastern raga sounds and his sartorial style from American Indians, Robbie Basho was eclectic and eccentric. He was also one of the most gifted and original acoustic guitarists that the John Fahey/Leo Kottke/William Ackerman axis produced. Recording for Fahey's Takoma Records, and being cited by Ackerman as a principal influence on the founding of Windam Hill Records, never produced the kind of fame and acclaim that Basho's prodigious …