Music Milestones, 1964: John Fahey – Death Chants, Breakdowns & Military Waltzes

Drawing from folk and blues of the 20s and 30s, John Fahey reinvented steel-string acoustic guitar with modern compositions, which helped lay the ground for a new form of self-taught fingerstyle playing that was traditional yet refreshingly novel. Fahey’s work was therefore instrumental for the advancement of American Primitivism, inspiring numerous acoustic guitar players from Leo Kottke and Robbie Basho to Sir Richard Bishop and Jack Rose.  Death Chants, Breakdowns & Military Waltzes is probably my favorite Fahey record, and constitutes an excellent introduction to his vast discography. “Sunflower River Blues” opens the record with a melancholy melody that displays Fahey’s guitar-picking at his best. The sounds of sadness find their way into the follower “When the Springtime Comes Again”, which eventually evolves toward a statement of rejuvenation and hope. “The Downfall of the Adelphi Rolling Grist Mill” is perhaps the eeriest song in the record, where a haunting flute accompanies Fahey’s feverish guitar and evokes a certain Western imagery. The music atmosphere lightens up in “Take a Look at that Baby”, a pretty little tune reminiscent of youthful love. For a taste of Death Chants, Breakdowns & Military Waltzes, have a listen to the opener “Sunflower River Blues”: