The Yellow Princess
John Fahey · 1968
66 min · 12 tracks · blues
A kaleidoscopic blend of fingerstyle guitar, folk influences, and evocative storytelling that transports listeners through time and space.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
March! For Martin Luther King — This track serves as a poignant tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., blending social commentary with Fahey's intricate guitar work.
-
→
Dance of the Inhabitants of the Invisible City of Bladensburg — Here, Fahey showcases his signature fingerpicking style, creating an ethereal soundscape that evokes a sense of otherworldliness.
-
→
Commemorative Transfiguration and Communion at Magruder Park — This piece captures the essence of Fahey's narrative style, weaving together elements of spirituality and personal reflection through complex melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases ambitious compositions and unique guitar techniques, blending various influences into a distinctive sound.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate fingerstyle guitar work that varies in tempo and mood across its twelve tracks.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional structures, such as abrupt shifts in melody or rhythm, challenging traditional song forms.
- The use of field recordings and spoken word elements in some pieces adds a layer of narrative depth and atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intricate fingerstyle guitar exploration
- evocative reflections on americana
- patient unfolding of melodies
- ideal for quiet afternoons
- immersive listening for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party tracks
- prefer instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 1968, John Fahey was transitioning from his earlier work into a more experimental phase, having established himself with albums like 'Blind Joe Death' and 'The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death'. 'The Yellow Princess' represents a critical moment in Fahey's career as he began to incorporate broader musical influences and thematic explorations, setting the stage for his future innovations in acoustic music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leo Kottke· Bert Jansch· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Yellow Princess 4:53
- 2 View (East From the Top of the Riggs Road/B & O Trestle) 4:56
- 3 Lion 5:10
- 4 March! For Martin Luther King 3:43
- 5 The Singing Bridge of Memphis, Tennessee 2:53
- 6 Dance of the Inhabitants of the Invisible City of Bladensburg 4:10
- 7 Charles A. Lee: In Memoriam 4:02
- 8 Irish Setter 7:17
- 9 Commemorative Transfiguration and Communion at Magruder Park 6:00
- 10 The John Fahey Sampler, Themes and Variations 8:43
- 11 Fare Forward Voyagers, 1965 4:53
- 12 Steel Guitar Medley 9:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.