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Blind Joe Death (BJD) was issued in three versions-- 1 (1959), 2 (1964) and 3 (1967). The Legend of Blind Joe Death (LBJD) is comprised of versions 2 and 3. BJD 2 (the first set of tracks on LBJD) has a muddy, old recording sound. It is much less precise, more emotional, has more rhythmic changes and dissonance that BJD 3 (the second set of tracks). BJD 3 is bright, clear and precise with no errors. BJD is historically important for 2 reasons. 1). It was one of first, if not the first, solo guitar self produced albums comprised of Americana roots music with occasional classical influences and original compositions. 2). Fahey’s finger-picking (f-p) style was unique. Fahey co-opted bluegrass 5 string banjo f-p techniques—particularly banjo rolls and the use of the drone string, and applied them to the six string guitar. I have never read this anywhere, or know if it was unconscious or intentional. I base this assertion on the fact that, when I first heard BJD I was learning how to play the 5 string banjo. I realized, based on BJD, that the techniques I was learning could be applied to the 6 string guitar. On the banjo they sounded like tinny fill, on the guitar they sounded orchestral and like multiple guitar players playing together. Fahey took 2 known f-p styles—alternating between 2 bass notes or repeatedly, rhythmically thumping on a single bass string, removed extraneous fill notes and played the melody primarily on the two treble strings (often using banjo roll fragments). Combined with his use of open tunings and use of a 5, instead of 12, note scale produces a pure, stripped down musical aesthetic whose apparent simplicity is attractive to some and boring to others. In his original compositions he would play a motif several times, move on to another motif played several times etc.-- eventually returning to the original motif. This leads to a sense of pleasurable anticipation in some, boredom in others. His compositions range from the very simple to very complex. The liner notes are good and written by several people including Fahey. Fahey’s comments have the normal amount of hyperbole, humor, parody, in-jokes, mockery, nonsense, fabrication, pseudo philosophy, and mythologizing. Fahey, in an unusual moment of clarity and directness states--“All I have ever done with music was to depict various emotions in an organized and coherent musical language, sometimes very dark emotions, especially hate, fear, repulsion, grief, depression or feeling nothingness, etc. but also happiness, health, certain types of ecstasy, etc. ..” The notes state that in the 1960’s BJD was background music for sex and tripping. I would add, that for me, it fosters thoughtful meditation and inspires me to write. Fahey studied philosophy in college and rcd a masters in folklore studies. His music is based on a deep knowledge of the roots music that preceded him. All but one trk are gems. I don’t care for Transcendental Waterfall--which foreshadows his later, very simple, electric work on Georgia Struts and Atlanta Stomps. West Coast Blues (which Fahey was dissatisfied with) and In Christ There Is No East Or West (the most played trak commercially) reflect the most traditional finger picking. An excellent CD—especially for someone learning to finger pick guitar. I have been a fan of Fahey’s for about 40 years, am collecting all his CDs and several of his songs were in my repertoire when I played guitar. More info at http://www.johnfahey.com/pages/bjd.htmlRead full review