A collection of fictional but semi-autobiographical stories, this work comes from one of the most influential guitarists in music history. The tales are recalled in a conversational, feverish tone, following the musician in his childhood and young adulthood in post-World War II suburbia, pausing along the way for moments of clarity and introspection. The stories resist categorization—part memoir, part personal essay, part fiction, and part manifesto they simply stand alone, having their own logic, religious dogma, and mythological history.
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The truth, Winston Churchill once stated, must be accompanied by a bodyguard of lies. Guitarist John Fahey, whose folk-informed work has inspired musicians as dissimilar as George Winston and Jim O'Rourke, adheres to that principle throughout this conversationally voiced collection of ostensibly fictitious but semiautobiographical short stories. Fahey is no stranger to the written word: in the 1960s he published a volume on blues guitarist Charley Patton, and his albums have frequently included voluminous, fanciful liner notes. Fans looking for illumination of his guitar playing might be disappointed by this book: he spends more time spinning tall tales about a periodically horrific post-WWII suburban childhood and the many remarkable people he's met (from compassionate blues musician and fishing enthusiast Bukka White to pompous Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni, whom Fahey claims to have punched out) than he does discussing his musical methodology. But his writing flickers with the same black humor and ambivalent mysticism that imbues his music. --Bill Meyer
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“Fahey's writing flickers with the same black humor and ambivalent mysticism that imbues his music.” —Bill Meyer, music critic, Chicago Reader
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Great Koonaklaster strikes with a mighty blow!,
By
This review is from: How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life (Paperback)
There's a lot in this book that could do a lot of us a lot of good, if only we'd listen. The person responsible for creating a stage for solo acoustic guitar is firing from both barrels here with something one shouldn't mix up with the word "fiction". This book doesn't have to be rated or promoted: it will find its own readership amongst the ones who've followed John's path all along and know how to deal with it. Funny and sad, frightening and enjoying, a gifted guitarist gives us a generous insight into what growing up in Takoma Park can mean. Warning: there are no guitar tabs in this volume! Ha!
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Darn if Fahey ain't a great writer, too!,
By Horse Snakes (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life (Paperback)
As a dedicated fan of John Fahey's music, I couldn't wait to read his book. Well, I was not dissapointed. He writes a lot about his childhood, his professional life as a guitar player, his part in the rediscovering of bluesman Skip James, and other experiences he has had. While not entirely based on fact, I wouldn't call it fiction like the back of the book says. Anyways, this is a fascinating portrait of one of the great composers of our time, and I doubt that the reader could put this book down for very long. It's simply brilliant!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read for Fahey fans,
By A Customer
This review is from: How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life (Paperback)
The recently deceased guitar master takes you on a tour of his childhood and young adulthood... basically this book is about as highly recommended as they come for a fan of his music- it will provide musical, emotional and even philosophical insight (with several references to hegel, heidegger, and other great german philosophers) into his life. there are moments of fiction, but it doesnt overwhelm the autobiographical nature of the work. you really do get a feeling for the personalities of bukka white, skip james, roosevelt sykes, and antonioni, which is the real reason may of fahey's most loyal fans would want to read the book. some moments are harrowing, from tales of childhood abuse to stories of social alienation. other moments are endearing, there are stories of first friendships, loves, and comfort (mostly on the part of white and sykes). Fahey led a very interesting life, and this book has a good deal of serious instrospection. he's actually a pretty good writer, so i give it the highest recommendation. someone new to fahey or not interested in 20s blues figures be warned, a lot of it will be confusing, leading to reviews like the one up top by that poor bitter guy who completely missed the point.
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