I am the resurrection (hark from the tomb)

another year. another fahey week.

fahey's I am the resurrection was the second piece by fahey horsemouth heard (on the contemporary guitar sampler after the death of clayton peacock). it gives its title to a tribute album to john fahey.  it is lifted from john 11:25,

'I am the resurrection and the life. the one who believes in me will live, even though they die'

musically it is lifted from hark from the tomb by jesse fuller. 

'in typical busker's fashion, he addressed his audiences as "ladies and gentlemen"...' - jesse fuller, wikipedia entry. 

fuller's version was itself lifted from isaac watts methodist hymn, first published in his hymns & sacred songs, 1707 (edition 1709, book ii., no. 63). its use is mainly confined to america, where it is sometimes given as, 'hark, from the tombs a warning sound'. it is a memento mori hymn ending with a line on the hope for resurrection. 

this year (once again) horsemouth will attempt to celebrate the life of john fahey, he will attempt to bring him back to life for the duration.  at some point horsemouth will attempt to indicate which musician of bremen songs owe a debt to fahey and to draw out what he feels is particular about fahey's vision.

the year of alice begins 

this year impulse!, the verve label group and the john & alice coltrane home will launch the year of alice, a celebration of alice coltrane and her work. at  birdland tonight  there will be a commemoration  with speakers including ravi and michelle coltrane, brandee younger and more.

and on march 22nd verve release of the album based on the recordings including the tracks shiva-loka, journey in satchidananda, africa, leo. shiva-loka is great (previously only africa had been available). 

today is also the day john coltrane and rashied ali record interstellar space at the rudy van gelder studio all in one take.

'I'm going to ring some bells. you can do an 8-bar intro...' and they were off!