The Dance of Death & Other Plantation Favorites cover

The Dance of Death & Other Plantation Favorites

John Fahey · 1964

53 min · 15 tracks · blues

A haunting blend of fingerstyle guitar and traditional American folk melodies steeped in deep emotion.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • haunting melodies for quiet evenings
  • patient explorations of themes
  • intimate moments of guitar reflection
  • nostalgic tunes for rainy days

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking high-energy party tracks
  • prefer standalone singles over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context
By 1964, John Fahey had established himself as a pioneering figure in American primitive guitar music. 'The Dance of Death & Other Plantation Favorites' was his third album, following the influential 'Death Chants, Breakdowns & Military Waltzes' in 1963, showcasing his evolving style and deeper exploration of American musical roots.
Stylistic neighbors
Leo Kottke· Bert Jansch· Nick Drake

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Wine and Roses 3:28
  • 2 How Long 2:55
  • 3 On the Banks of the Owchita 3:52
  • 4 Worried Blues 2:24
  • 5 What the Sun Said 10:11
  • 6 Revelation on the Banks of the Pawtuxent 2:34
  • 7 Poor Boy 3:19
  • 8 Variations on the Coocoo 4:00
  • 9 The Last Steam Engine Train 2:18
  • 10 Give Me Corn Bread When I’m Hungry 3:12
  • 11 Dance of Death 7:39
  • 12 Tulip (aka When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose) 2:43
  • 13 Daisy (aka A Bicycle Built for Two) 1:20
  • 14 The Siege of Sevastopol 1:22
  • 15 Steel Guitar Rag 2:10

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata