John Fahey - Wine and Roses

[fgldnglbs]

Unfortunately because of his bout with Epstein-Barre, his ability to play as he did was gone by the late 90's. His style by then was slow and ghostly, as when I heard him at the Khyber Pass Pub.

[gentphilistine]

These videos from the Hamburg concert are truly special. Every one of them. Audience members consistently look stunned when you see them. John the Baptist totally absorbed, a demon on the stage, haloed by two rays of light breaking the darkness. How can anyone not desire to become a musician after seeing and hearing this?

[JulianBaynes1]

A glorious guitarist, and the only one of his kind. Fahey, you are sorely missed.

[sesshomaru322]

This song is in Open Dm isn't it? So many of the songs he played at this concert are in such different tunings and it looks like he played them all on the same guitar. How on earth did he not break any strings retuning?

[Greenalex89]

This is footage from the german TV channel WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk), I´m surprised, when was that? If it´s for that purpose I need my TV back..

[moneyquickeasy]

I could listen to this man all day.

[rebeloj]

@moneyquickeasy I do. :) It's great music to program to.

[OspreyD40]

Also, by this time, he was commonly calling the piece, in this scary iteration "Approaching The Disco Void". Earliest title, I believe was "Wine and Roses". Then "The Red Pony". The piece evolved over time, becoming less the gently mournful song of the Red Pony days, more anxious and ... bleak.

[shazaaammm]

Does Fahey have any more songs that are in this tuning? (Dm tuning, right?)

[FinalCurve]

@shazaaammm Go to his website, look up the tabs :)

[flippingbutterfly]

Is that a metal fretboard?

[barutha]

@flippingbutterfly gay

[alcoholya]

blah blah blah generic fahey vs kottke comment

[futuredays92]

John Fahey should be beatified

[mwmlol]

love the people in the audience at 3:29: " O_O "

[BuddhaVSZeus]

I am glad I am related to this man! he is my grandpas younger brother

[RRLeimbach]

For what it's worth, I've played Fahey's stuff since about 1970 and met him about 1981, helping him carry his guitars out to his old Plymouth after a concert. He was a very nice man, contrary to legend. Also, the primary creator of fingerstyle modern guitar.

[SerialPortExperiment]

Never realized before hearing this exactly how much John Fahey seems to be a large influence on Ben Monder's finger style pieces. Fahey was amazing.

[WildRenegade01]

4 people need more wine...and probably more roses

[OMGWUNSIU]

@WildRenegade01 4 people need to discover "Q-tips". Great for cleaning the sh*t out of the ears!

[asktunes]

God this is gorgeous....gives me chills....

[goodbyebluesky1000]

Fahey is amazing. Haunting and beautiful. SO much feeling in his music. Bro needs to shave his dome, though. Go for the Shel Silverstein look. He's just wasting shampoo otherwise.

[calypsojimmy]

1 Leo and John loved each other's playing.

2. Strings don't break solely due to increased tension. Bigger reason for breakage = kinks in string, which can occur in 4 places: (i) the nut, (ii) the saddle, (iii) the place where string enters the tuning post, and (iv) somewhere else in the string, i.e. a defective string. Strings (esp. un-wound ones) can break @ kink-spots identified by (i-ii-iii) above, regardless of whether you are tuning up or down. But: If strings r new, theres no problem.

[cgcgce]

Stefan Grosman released a video of Fahey from the 90's and it's clear that Fahey was suffering from some mental illness and his playing clearly showed it,I hate to say it because Fahey was a visionary to me,ahead of his time.Here is Fahey at his prime I wish someone would release THIS performance,he always blows my mind even when he plays 3 chords..RIP

[verbaud]

Saw Fahey at the Cellar Door in DC in the 70's. He wandered on stage. I thought, "Oh no, some local drunk is touching Fahey's guitar!" Then he sat down and played into heaven. Spoke all of 2-3 words, mumbled a thankyou and wandered off stage and left.

A stunning performance.

[aenimamirko]

This is REAL music! R.I.P. John

[naprode]

three thumbs down??? how impaired do you have to be to not like this great sound...

[htrn100]

I had the great honor of meeting Mr. Fehey, in Jackson Hole Wyoming back in 1979 I believe. We were playing at the Ramada Inn in Jackson and he invited the band back up to his room. It was very VERY interesting to converse with him and listen to his point of view on a number of different topics.  Never once did we talk music, which in itself was quite refreshing..

[JustM3Luck]

@htrn100 I can't begin to tell you how envious I am of you if what you say is true

[htrn100]

@JustM3 He was very quite and soft spoken. I have not proof other than the memory. I would have loved to have gotten an autograph or photo but just thinking about asking, in that atmosphere, would have been rude and insulting.

[blacksbury]

very eloquently put Neil Paisley.

Maybe 'that bloke' I had to turf out of the shop years ago after months of subjecting torment on the staff WAS John Fahey, who knows?

Silly me!

[blacksbury]

I'm sorry, but he's like 'that bloke' you dread coming in to the music shop and 'playing' for 7 hours. Some will always maintain it's 'deep' - usually people that (obelix-like) fell into a vat of something potent whilst in their youth...but it ain't.

[julianbintner666]

@blacksbury I'm sorry, but you're 'that bloke' who thinks they know what's good and what isn't, and come off sounding like a closed minded toolbox.

I wish more people would think about music in terms of preference. After a certain point of technical correctness, songs aren't better or worse, just different.

[pygmymarmosets]

you're all pretentious blowhards, stfu and listen to music

[somethingfreeforme]

not to shabby. I like Peter Finger, too.

[robbieborne]

I have been listening to this guy since 1965. I was turned on to him by Bob Hite. Bob later became The Bear of The Canned Heat

[cfenlightenment]

@robbieborne Weren't they roommates? And Dr. Demento was his manager.

[goastbrane]

so is this song called wine and roses or red pony?

[communty]

Both, depends which version you're listening to. Sometimes it's called "The Approaching of the Disco Void" aswell.

[jeannenorris]

aa6757 just stating the obviouse (sic) and missing the sublime.

[fenderboy88]

Wow,ripping introduction and so underrated,you dont see any of the American idol signer song writer wannabes play guitar like this

[bjoel125]

@fenderboy88 because it's mainly a singing competition, you elitist guitarist prick....i didn't see the need to compare it to american idol at all.

[fenderboy88]

@bjoel125 Idol has also being a competition where the contestants play thier own musical instruments not just singing ive seen a fe wof these contestants with a guitar in thier hand.

The so called singer song writers on Idol that think they are the next whatever they are proclaiming to be,using idol as a quick and easy road to fame.

As Tommy Emmanuel said''there are no shortcuts''

[evhsimes76]

the camera pans and close-ups make this performance surreal for me. I cant explain why, I really cant stop watching it, espec around 3:26

[g00dz]

This is my first time hearing this guy... he plays the guitar unlike anyone I've ever heard.. simply magnificent!!!

[aa6757]

thats one hell of a comb over

[1dudeman2]

what the fuck is wrong with you

[aa6757]

just stating the obviouse.

[robertchallen]

I used to play this one years ago, and if my memory is correct, it's in D minor tuning. DADFAD, instead of DADF#AD which is the regular open D tuning.that he used a lot. Have to get my guitar out to be sure though.

[drekecdrekecadrekecu]

I just recently broke a string because of this unique Fahey tuning lol. Nevertheless, it's beautiful for picking.

[extinctlyville]

@drekecdrekecadrekecu Breaking strings? From tuning DOWN? WTF is wrong with your guitar?

[lemonsdontcry]

@extinctlyville It happens man. If you do a lot of alternate tunings they will break while tuning down. It's happened to me.

[extinctlyville]

@lemonsdontcry I've played for almost 20 years now and love screwing with tunings, can't say I've broken a string tuning down to my memory. If I did, I'd be looking for a reason why, as steel strings don't break easily on a properly set up guitar. For open E, use a capo so you don't put your guitar through hell and end up doing odd things like breaking strings while tuning down.

[wertherellerbrock]

Breaking strings from tuning down is more common than you think. The reason is that, unless you have several guitars -one for a given tuning-, if you tune down, you will eventually tune up, and going back and forth weakens the string to the point where it eventually may snap regardless of whether you were tuning up OR down.

[xp0ferens]

Does any body know what tuning his guitar is in?

[nickbara]

On his website johnfaheydotcom you can find some interesting tunings, tabs and lesson.

[SkiyeSounds]

brilliant

[LowStackTom]

just beautyful music !

[snancy2008]

Fabulous !

[mishajoel]

damn right denia, you got it right.

I have a guitar secretly tuned to a Fahey key.

Nicely put!!

[denia19340]

john fahey plays the way that everyone secretly wants to play but is too afraid of what others will think to play that way. a true musician.

[mark1800]

good comment.

[legbider]

I watched him give a radio interview at the Denver "underground" FM station Feb. "71". The interview lady mentioned "studio overdubbing", and he declared, a little peeved, that he " never overdubbed anything in his life". She got real embarrassed. He was awesome. A memorable moment for me. Thank you John!

[mark1800]

this video is too good to not have the sound track synchronised properly.

[TrademarkRecordings]

Is there seriously anyone out there who would give this any less than 5 stars? FYI in 2009 the audience would be all weird long-haired metalheads into Fahey, John McLaughlin, and Ian Williams. FTW.

[davo171]

Some say he was at his prime in the mid 70's. The 80's were not good to him.

[mradamcooley]

lifechanging.

[bnmlord]

Yes, honestly. I'm watching this for the first time and I can confirm... life changing.

[slubberde]

Buna ziua meloman: back in the early 80's before I went to England to live, I attended a Fahey concert @ Canal St Travern in Dayton, Oh. and gave Fahey the record "Cornflower Suite" by Suni McGrath, which sites Fahey for the concecption of the art on the liner. Fahey responded by giving me his "Christmas" lp. Any interested in the music of Fahey should check out the music of Suni McGrath on my channel. This will graduate the listener to the next level of solo 6&12 string guitar.

[minwav]

Sounds more like "Red Pony" to me.

[pbrmotorsports]

same song..

[dclayburn]

The first time I heard Fahey (embarrassing to say not too long ago) I became an instantaneous fan...he changed my guitar playing (and my life) forever

[whoisit01]

i feel so lucky to have discovered this guy out of nowhere when everybody else in my generation likes hip-hop and "pop-punk" emo shit

from delta blues to classic rock...im never goin back to that pop crap EVER

this is the best!

[esxp]

!!!! Fahey was one of my main influences for playing modern rock guitar... he was one of the most innovative players around... i saw him in NYC in the early seventies... Wine and Roses one of my favorite of his pieces... i cant say enough how huge a fan of his i am...

he was a very crazy guy though and died too early

[54spiritedwill54]

fahey rules!

[russelsheartinacage]

this is such a brilliant song. I posted a vid of Red Pony, based on the version on the "John Fahey plays "Red Pony" 1969" vid. Check it out and let me know what you guys think! Im working on this version at the moment, so hopefully that will be up soon.

[jimicoop]

John Fahey = Depth of feeling. His music reflects so much of lifes ambiguity. Mesmorizing.

[LateNotes]

rocking blues raga magic man !

[miasm]

also known as red pony. terrific version

[89kids]

If you want hear something special check out anything by Leo Kottke; he the guy that upon first hearing made fahey reply "what the "F", how did he do that?".

[phishhead11]

fahey, while not as technically accomplished, had more feeling in two notes than kottke had in an entire album

[JBoudreau99]

spot on

[studiotrans]

You must be deaf. Even Fahey said Kottke was better. I love Fahey's music and have spent many years learning to play a few of his songs. Kottke's version of Fahey's songs were always better than Fahey's original. Kottke loves Fahey too.

[mstrultan]

@phishhead11 Agreed! I am an amateur photographer and once knew a man who taught photography at a little neighborhood craft shop. He was much like your description of Kottke - technically proficient, but his pictures were soulless. Like so many who do weddings, proms, family portraits, etc. - all technique, no vision.

[GumatzPotrzebie]

@mstrultan @phishead11 Pompous BS like this belongs in the garbage along with all of the other detritus and waste of human society. Both are/were great artists who play with heart, soul and excellence and both *sincerely* appreciated the other's playing. It isn't an idiotic sporting contest, you toadys. Go find a garbage heap somewhere to do your silly "superior dances" on. Morons.

[dantean]

@phishhead11 You are now the winner.

[OMGWUNSIU]

@phishhead11 Not everybody understands your simple but oh so accurate statement. I do and agree 110%.

[notthebannerboys]

@phishhead11 Love them both and see no need to compare then as if they are sports franchises.

[BigKmaniac]

@phishhead11 WHA??? they are both excellent musicians ...

[genesssa]

@phishhead11 so no one is allowed to appreciate both of them, each for what he is, two different things, really? one has to win and one has to lose? what a warped view of music.

g

[Adeptmind]

@genesssa I think the point he is making is based on all these kotke fans that come on fahey videos and act like what he is doing is simplistic in comparison.The problem is that 1 is technical while the other plays with feeling and raw emotion. It's a huge difference, and half the people will go one way and half will go the other. Fahey fans love the technical aspects of his music, but it's the emotion and groove that make it solid. While Kottke is a more technical player, but lacks raw emotion

[genesssa]

@Adeptmind i understand his point. i still think promoting that kind of comparison, and encouraging people to go one way or another, is counterproductive. i happen to be a fan of both. i am not concerned with their different techniques. i am concerned with my enjoyment of what they do, not the relative benefits of what one does over what the other does.

g

[friendlier]

@genesssa I find so many people think that way about music. "Are you a Beatles or Stones person?" etcetera. Choosing a side like that is supposed to show that you are an expert on both. Inane and childish.

[polymerchm]

This is also called "Approaching the Disco Void" on the "Return of the Repressed" compilation.

[utube4mi]

picked this one to stay my fav and reminder. I always feel sorry, when I discover the music of someone who lived parallel to my time when he is already gone - it is not my fault, but I can't refuse it to feel a little guilty. thank you for posting it. it is really inspired!

[SoftCouch]

Not to mention his finger style only uses Thumb, Pointer and Middle, watch closely, look at the metal finger picks on the mentioned fingers. That is mind boggling.

[savagerabbit]

Are you saying there are styles that use more than that?

[HawertyAlt]

Yup, there is classical, which uses the ring finger as well, among other styles...

[savagerabbit]

Using the ring finger is unfathomable to me. Maybe I should try it.

[ehsanul]

Haha, many people even use their pinky fingers...

[taylor355]

Yeah,give the ring finger a go. I mostly use thumb and three but some stuff does work better with thumb and two.

[OspreyD40]

While Fahey used thumb and index and middle finger, he explains to Laura Webber on the Guitar Guitar TV show that he drags the index finger across strings at times (When The Springtime Comes Again, and its iterations such as Mark 1:15), but that he's been unable to teach this to others. Use of your ring finger, a typical classical approach, can make up for less-than Fahey technique. He's amazingly fast with just two fingers and thumb. In this show, about at his peak of technique and speed.

[beardaux]

this guy is amasing

[beardaux]

this guy is amasing

[1949gene]

Fahey often used multiple titles for the "same" song, with or without significant variations. His sense of mischief was, let's say, fully developed.

[francobegbie22]

this song is actually called Red Pony, isn't it? alot of the other titles on the dvd were wrong.

[pinethen]

thank you

[Blackheath1]

A fantastic composition and astonishingly executed playing with real feeling

[hend6182]

I tend to think of John Fahey primarily as a great composer and arranger...but he truly was also a great guitarist...his picking is so clean and clear

[syaowolf]

great!?he was one of the best I'd say top 30 of all time anyday

[livedinbars]

The man could play fingerstyle like no other.

Another dead hero.

[Ziffelsnout]

Just incredible...I have his cds and wish I had found out about him earlier. Thanks for the videos! :@)

[darkworld8]

fahey rules!

[RyelandMoonshine]

I love you. thanks for all of this.

For this video, I guess this is his kind of stuff that makes people underestimate him. But I love it all.

[jdtube]

great stuff... much thanks for the posting... i have a dvd of his, with the guitar guitar appearance and the later in life show's - but these are great clips of him is younger day's - i only wish i could have seen him live... atleast i got to see kottke... 8^)

[francobegbie22]

I must find this dvd, where can I find a copy?