Search - John Fahey :: On Air

Splendid, long live set from tour including Germany and Aust

Andrew G. Oltsch | Arlington, Massachusetts USA | 10/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Given the vast catalog of John Fahey recordings now available in wonderful CD reissues, it's hard to believe I'm the first reviewer for this, but it was released relatively recently (2005).

The recording quality is fine. The performances are generally stellar, and John Fahey is absolutely in top form-as he is on the other live recordings now available from that time in his life. (His much-later, live electric excursions are another thing entirely!!). These include "Live in Tasmania" from the same tour as this set, according to the liner notes here by Henry Kaiser, and "The Great Santa Barbara Oil Slick", from an earlier time, I believe.

In the On Air concert, occasionally the pace of a piece feels hurried but this also produces some stunning cascades of beautifully articulated playing. The titles are not entirely accurate, and there are a few medleys not described by the titles. The track titled 'In Christ There Is No East Or West' begins with that song, done thoroughly and beautifully- but then he segues somewhat abruptly into Beverly (elsewhere, Fahey titled this: Indian Pacific Railroad Blues). These are standard-tuning songs. Incidentally, this live recording of Beverly (Indian Pacific Railroad Blues) is the only one I know of apart from the [...] film clip of Fahey at the Rockpalast, which is a stunner.

On the "Live in Tasmania" CD, what is presented as if it were a live Beverly, and part of the Tasmania show (complete with applause) ISN'T; it's the same studio track from one of his recordings, with applause dubbed in. (The liner notes on the Tasmania CD indicate this in less direct terms.)

Back to On Air: the following track is titled 'Beverly' but is really a slide medley, in an open tuning, which includes 'Dance of the Inhabitants of the Palace of King Phillip XIV of Spain'. On Air offers many opportunities for Fahey to stretch and tweak the timing and feel of some songs, particularly Beverly, and this is quite exciting to me. If you already are quite familiar with Fahey's earlier studio recordings, you'll be highly aware of and appreciative of these improvisations.

I often read customer reviews which suggest that "if you had only one record..." and I'll throw in that if you had only one John Fahey recording, this would be a wonderful selection. Also, it is absolutely 'value for money', if that is a consideration- a very long record.

Briliant stuff. And thanks to Henry Kaiser for his notes. He emailed back to me to indicate that the track-labeling error re: Beverly, noted above, wasn't presented to him to review and correct- and he didn't even get a final copy of the recording from the issuing company!

The Tasmania recording is excellent as well, but several songs shorter, despite the 'fake-live' Beverly.

The Great Santa Barbara Oil Slick another must-have, also a long CD with many selections. Which would be a favorite is a personal choice. I'd have guitar players interested in hearing or learning Fahey's music hear On Air, especially."

Must have for any seasoned Fahey Fan

Takoma | 08/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a must have release for any avid Fahey listener who is familiar with his early and middle work and can appreciate his meandering improvisations. I am not sure of the date, but this sounds like a late 70's/early 80's release. This comes from a point in his career where Fahey is still in great form and good health. Save for an isolated few gems, all of his subsequent material would be spotty, but here his improvisational abilities are stunning and he clearly has explored these tunes inside and out for years.



This is like one last great trip with an old friend that you know well... it's not really a good starting point for a new Fahey listener. Here Fahey is no longer on fire and all of his best material is behind him. It's not that this isn't great stuff... it's more that to approach and enjoy it fully and in context you really are best off by first immersing yourself in Vol 1-6 and his orchestrial efforts (Of Rivers & Religion, After the Ball, Old Fashioned Love). For a listener who has digested these and will recognize departures from the originals, this is essential listening. If you are not that listener and you want to listen to a younger Fahey - still on fire, and improvising more directly then you should grab "The Great San Bernadino Oil Slick" instead. But each are equally great in their own way and San Bernadino would be a great first step to this release. Don't get one of the weaker rerecordings of his stuff such as "God, Time and Causality".



For me, the high point was the improvisation throughout the incredible "Stomping Tonight on the Pennsylvania/Alabama Border". I listened to the mind bending take of this on "Death Chants, Breakdowns and Military Waltzes" for nearly 20 years and never knew that it was a rerecording. Then, Bill Bellmont of Fantasy stunned me with a rerelease of it on CD alongside of an eerily edgy prehistoric first take. Now, a decade later, we get to hear this alternate improvisational version with such unexpected rhythmic and melodic quirks. It is a treat beyond anything that I ever expected.



I miss John Fahey every day.

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