Requia & Other Compositions For Guitar Solo

Requia & Other Compositions For Guitar Solo

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
John Fahey's extended experimentations decades later with avant-garde's music elite is foreshadowed on 1967's adventurous Requia. These moody, contemplative instrumental works (all featuring Fahey at his guitar-playing peak) resonate with passion, artistry, and--most of all--soul. "When the Catfish Is in Bloom" gradually crescendoes with Fahey's increasing, breakneck tempo, which--around the six-minute mark--becomes a blur of impossible fingerpicking that is both awe-inspiring and swinging. In the first part of "Requiem for Molly," the listener is bombarded by sound samples and tape loops, with Fahey slowly finding his chords. But the guitarist doesn't just noodle; he lets the composition slowly unfold, with humorous found-sound samples abounding and enough familiar guitar themes creeping up to keep you on guard. By part 3 Fahey reaches his most melancholy moment, letting out a methodical rendition of "California Dreaming" on top of lion roars and human screams. Though Fahey's playing influenced an entire generation of talented young guitar pickers, including Leo Kottke, his conceptual prowess goes unmatched here. A truly seminal recording. --Jason Verlinde

Requia & Other Compositions For Guitar Solo,John Fahey,Vanguard Records,Folk,Folk & Traditional,Folk-Blues,Neo-Traditional Folk,Pop,Progressive Folk,World Fusion

Average customer rating:

highest rating because of side one

A good record...

A misunderstood album by the master

This 1967 Recording Does Not Age Well

Synthesis of the old and the new

Requia & Other Compositions For Guitar Solo
John Fahey
Manufacturer: Vanguard Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music
Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
General | Folk | Styles | Music
Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
Alternative Folk | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000000EJM
Release Date: 1997-05-27

Tracks:

Requiem For John Hurt
Requiem For Russell Blaine Cooper
When The Catfish Is In Bloom
Requiem For Molly (Part 1)
Requiem For Molly (Part 2)
Requiem For Molly (Part 3)
Requiem For Molly (Part 4)
Fight On Christians, Fight On

Amazon.com essential recording

John Fahey's extended experimentations decades later with avant-garde's music elite is foreshadowed on 1967's adventurous Requia. These moody, contemplative instrumental works (all featuring Fahey at his guitar-playing peak) resonate with passion, artistry, and--most of all--soul. "When the Catfish Is in Bloom" gradually crescendoes with Fahey's increasing, breakneck tempo, which--around the six-minute mark--becomes a blur of impossible fingerpicking that is both awe-inspiring and swinging. In the first part of "Requiem for Molly," the listener is bombarded by sound samples and tape loops, with Fahey slowly finding his chords. But the guitarist doesn't just noodle; he lets the composition slowly unfold, with humorous found-sound samples abounding and enough familiar guitar themes creeping up to keep you on guard. By part 3 Fahey reaches his most melancholy moment, letting out a methodical rendition of "California Dreaming" on top of lion roars and human screams. Though Fahey's playing influenced an entire generation of talented young guitar pickers, including Leo Kottke, his conceptual prowess goes unmatched here. A truly seminal recording. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

highest rating because of side one .......2006-09-03

Side two of the original record, mostly "Requiem for Molly Part 1-4" is, as the other reviewers note, "experimental" stuff with guitar played over (or under?) sound effects. It's interesting once in a great while, and both of its time (early psychedelia) and, like all of Fahey's music, not of its time at all. But what makes this a 5 star cd is side one of the original record, the first three cuts. Some of the greatest Fahey ever, a touchstone revisited much through the later years (in "Fare Forward Voyagers (Soldier's Choice)" for instance. Get this for that stuff, and don't let Requiem bum you out too much. The best of Fahey holds up as well as anything ever.

A good record..........2001-05-05

It's interesting that in the liner notes to the Fahey anthology, Barry Hansen writes of "Knott's Berry Farm Molly": "After hearing 'Rain' by The Beatles, John became interested in the sounds of music played backward and edited the master tape himself." So it seems Fahey was experimenting with musique concrete techniques a little before Requia. In terms of Fahey compositions with sound effects though, I think my favorite is "The Singing Bridge of Memphis, Tennessee" from The Yellow Princess. Fahey uses these wonderful samples of clanking noises from inbound and departing trains, all beneath his ringing guitar and some anonymous whistling. Whenever I hear it, I just sit back and sigh for three glorious minutes. Requia's "Requiem for Molly" does perhaps get a bit too psychedelic for some to handle, but I still consider it one of Fahey's important records. Of the difficult material from his older releases though, The Great San Bernardino Birthday Party (Vol. 4) is probably more rewarding.

A misunderstood album by the master.......2000-05-19

Let me first say that John Fahey is one of my all-time favorite musicians and composers. This album, however, is a peculiarity. Long before Fahey started truly delving into the realm of avante-guard (I really hate that term), he took a first step with the 4 part "Requiem for Molly," (the rest of the album is Fahey in his usual style). It basically sounds like a bunch of weird random noises layered over an interesting guitar line. I never understood exactly where Fahey was going with that. I didn't until I heard Steve Tibbetts, anyway. Steve Tibbetts, like Fahey, is a highly skilled guitarist who uses his technical prowess not as a crutch for bad writing, but as an integral part of his compositions, which are among the most beautiful and complex pieces this side of Bach. Steve Tibbetts' first album, while it lacks the complexity of his later works, showed me the potential of combining the organic sound of acoustic guitars with seemingly inappropriate electronic sounds, and he made it work. I don't think Fahey pulled it off on this album, but he gets points for creativity. Requiem for Molly is more of an historical artifact than a piece that stands the test of time, but it is worth owning for that alone. Besides, the rest of the album is Fahey in top form.

This 1967 Recording Does Not Age Well.......2000-02-03

I like and admire John Fahey's guitar playing, but the found noise or musique concrete or whatever you want to call it that drowns out a good portion of this recording is unlistenable. When I heard the first such slogged-up cut, I thought, 'oh alright, I can get through this' -- but then there were three more, comprising about half the record. Who can listen to this? I want guitar playing, not failed musical experimentation at my expense.

Synthesis of the old and the new.......1999-02-23

John Fahey has finally arrived at his (pre)destination - that of a cultural icon and purveyor of the lost sounds of yesterday. I bought this CD on impulse, being familiar with the man but not his music. They are both national treasures. His mastery of the guitar shines through, melding the traditional themes of the first two requia and "When the Catfish Is In Bloom" with the more modern, soundscape nature of the Requiem for Molly. Just as Fahey discovered and soaked in the music of this nation's blues forebears, so should you do the same with his own contribution to a unique musical heritage.

Average customer rating:

Rock On!
Music that moves me
It doesn't get better than this folks
What a Sound

Requia

Manufacturer: Vagabond LLC
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005S81R
Release Date: 2001-10-26

Tracks:

The Only
Fallen Away
Somewhere Further South
Undone
The Crusader's Song
Stay
Reach And Drag
Vertigo
Interlude
Television Snow
Lullaby

Album Description

The emotional alt-rock debut from Gravity Willing.

Customer Reviews:

Rock On!.......2001-12-13

Finally a band that is bringing honesty back into their music. This a long with a fresh sound that sets them apart from the rest of the cliche bands being heard on the radio. This cd is for anyone that is a true music fan. Everyone will definately be hearing more of these guys in the future.

Music that moves me.......2001-12-07

This CD pulled me in emotionally, getting me invovled with the lyrics as well as the music. Fun and thought provoking. Well worth a try! Looking forward to more!

It doesn't get better than this folks.......2001-12-05

I have been following this band for almost a year now, and am so excited about Requia. This CD is PHENOMENAL, if even a word exists to describe it. The music is multidimensional, ranging from heartfelt lyrics to intense energy to extreme musical talent to funky harmony of instruments. These four guys know how to make music and capture their listener. If you have got an ear for good lyrics and fantastic sound, BUY THIS CD! These small-town boys are gonna go big.

What a Sound.......2001-11-13

Gravity Willing, the up and coming band out of Isla Vista brings back a depth to rock music that has been lost in the sea of manufactured music in todays industry. This cd is something anyone and everyone could and should enjoy.

I like to listen to listen to songs like Crusader Song in my car with the volume at a level audible to oncoming traffic on the freeway. Nick's (the lead singer's) voice just comes through so clean on that song. Good stuff.

Tracks:

Prelude
Impetuoso
Con Mistero
Languendo
Risentito
Freddamente
Religioso
Drammatico
Postlude
Coda

Customer Reviews:

Difficult, breathtaking music........2005-04-05

When I first began listening to John Zorn's chamber music, I was very excited at the idea of an orchestra piece, which "Aporias" is. Zorn's chamber work has interested me where many other composers' work has not in that it feels much like his other music, it feels chaotic on first listen but its actually highly organized, its performed to a virtuoso level, more often than not, any calm is awaiting the birth of a storm, an explosion is always on the horizon-- whether it manifests or not.

"Aporias" is in fact a situation where the horizon never quite arrives-- just over half an hour in length-- the piece builds and recedes-- the orchestra never plays in unity, one or two parts come in at a time, and when there's "too many" and listening to this, that make sense, they go away. The tension never quite breaks, but it never quite builds either.

Admittedly, I was waiting for the explosion, but the closest we get is aggressive piano over handclapping in "Risentito", but this is ok, the tension present throughout the piece is enough. There's really quite a powerful emotional current throughout this music, the spirit the composer was reaching for is more often than not right in front of the listener.

But don't approach this with expectations-- it didn't meet mine and it took more than a couple listens to accept that. Nonetheless, the piece is subtle and rewarding, and one of the best chamber works by the composer, and quite honestly-- it is wholly a Zorn piece, all the signposts of his work is here, just presented in a very subtle light-- Stalling, Coleman, Morricone, etc. all rise and fall, but in a very different way. Highly recommended.

Experimental classical music.......2003-08-23

Zorn has written a half-hour tribute to the artistic spirit, employing a small orchestra to play blocks of music. It takes a while to get used to but, because you get something new every time you listen, it's rewarding. If you like Zorn (or anything on his label, Tzadik), you'll like this. Casual listeners might not be too happy with it.

This Grew On Me.......2002-11-06

I am not always a great fan of Zorn's concert music. Though some of the string music is quite lovely, I find that often, Zorn's interest in cartoon music, though it is brilliant in groups like Naked City, falls flat in the concert music. And the interest in quoting other material leaves me quite flat...it seems way too hip.

But this piece is making me think more seriously about Zorn the composer. Aporias is basically a concerto for piano and orchestra with several movements for unusual combinations, such as children's voices or hand claps. The Prelude has the feel of many other Zorn pieces...within the space of several seconds the music careens from cocktail to Stockhausen to Mickey Mouse. But the material settles down after that. Most of the movements are dominated by dark sombre chords and clusters in the orchestra, with Klavierstucke-like piano figures and some really striking sonic effects. The Con Mistero movement includes some haunting singing from members of an Eastern European boychoir. The music resembles nothing so much as the music of Morton Feldman. The composer also shows a marvelous ear for orchestral sonority. It makes you hope that he will have the opportunity to composer more music in this medium.

Ultimately, the largest problem that I've had with most of Zorn's concert music is it's static quality. Though the surface buzzes with detail, the sheer variety of the material ends up paradoxically making the pieces go nowhere. Aporias is a great step forward in this respect. Zorn manages to tie his diverse material together and subject it to an overall arch plan. This, plus the deep melencholy feeling in the work, makes it a very successful piece of concert music. To all of those who dismiss Zorn as a composer, this should give you material for reevaluation. It's definately worth a listen.

definitely worth the effort.......2001-11-06

This is a challenging work, well worth the effort. It takes you in uncharted territories, beyond the realms explored by the likes of Boulez, Ligeti, Stockhausen, Messiaen etc. It's a very stimulating experience, because you're sort of on your own to grasp what's going on. Not much has been said or written about this record, it's not part of a "theoretical movement". Some think it's a mere curiosity in the Zorn uvre, but I believe it's not : it's a very exciting addition to a multidimensional body of work which encompasses style and genre barriers. This recording is neither "popular music" or "classical" : it is a unique work, which challenges rigid classifications. But is it a pleasurable listen ? Yes. It really is, although it does take repeated listenings. To me, Zorn (like Zappa) is in a unique position : his musical abilities are immense and fortunately not limited by a narrowing training in a very specific area. This enables him to fuel his avant-garde compositions with new blood, as compared to the more contrived works of other "modern day" composers. This was already the case with other great modern composers, such as Varese, Xenakis, Feldman or Zappa. Aporias exemplifies what true "crossover" can be, as opposed to blending a bunch of stylistic "clichés". If you've ever dreamed of hearing a large orchestra driven by the sense of adventure of hardcore and free-jazz, this work is for you.

definitely worth the effort.......2001-11-06

This is a challenging work, well worth the effort. It takes you in uncharted territories, beyond the realms explored by the likes of Boulez, Ligeti, Stockhausen, Messiaen etc. It's a very stimulating experience, because you're sort of on your own to grasp what's going on. Not much has been said or written about this record, it's not part of a "theoretical movement". Some think it's a mere curiosity in the Zorn uvre, but I believe it's not : it's a very exciting addition to a multidimensional body of work which encompasses style and genre barriers. This recording is neither "popular music" or "classical" : it is a unique work, which challenges rigid classifications. But is it a pleasurable listen ? Yes. It really is, although it does take repeated listenings. To me, Zorn (like Zappa) is in a unique position : his musical abilities are immense and fortunately not limited by a narrowing training in a very specific area. This enables him to fuel his avant-garde compositions with new blood, as compared to the more contrived works of other "modern day" composers. This was already the case with other great modern composers, such as Varese, Xenakis, Feldman or Zappa. Aporias exemplifies what true "crossover" can be, as opposed to blending a bunch of stylistic "clichés". If you've ever dreamed of hearing a large symphonic orchestra driven by the sense of adventure of hardcore and free-jazz, this work is for you.

Average customer rating:

I love this album

Requia
Gravity Willing
Manufacturer: The Orchard
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005UF4R
Release Date: 2001-11-27

Tracks:

The Only
Fallen Away
Somewhere Further South
Undone
The Crusaders' Song
Stay
Reach And Drag
Vertigo
Television Snow
Bonus Track #1
Bonus Track #2
Bonus Track #3

Customer Reviews:

I love this album.......2004-10-14

I love this group and this album and I'm so throughly disappointed that they broke up. I was quite a groupie when they were together, I saw them perform live a least 10 times and each time I was blown away. This album is great and I recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of music.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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