I Am the Resurrection: Tribute to John Fahey
An idiosyncratic folk favorite and a huge influence on acoustic guitarists, the reclusiveJohn Faheyreemerged as an unlikely inspiration on a younger generation of indie underground rockers during the years before his death in 2001. The result is this freewheeling, wide-ranging tribute that is much more concerned with capturing his unpredictable spirit than mummifying a musical form.Sonic Youth's Lee Renaldo makes his interpretation a noise collage of electric guitar, traffic sounds, and spoken word.Sufjan Stevensmelds a propulsive intro to a stripped-down, harmony-laden hymn. CoproducerM. Wardplays barbed-wire electric guitar, while Giant Sand'sHowe Gelbinterprets Fahey on solo piano that is part barrelhouse, part music box. OnlyPeter Case's gorgeous rendition of "When the Catfish Is in Bloom" could be confused with one of the "American primitive guitar" master's own recordings, but everything here has its own internal logic. Fahey devotees, old and new, will love the tribute--a collection that should inspire fans of these artists to seek out the source.--Don McLeese