The Imaginational Anthem series from Tompkins Square Label are amongst their most treasured releases, showcasing pioneering acoustic guitar heroes from the past alongside their modern counterparts, many of whom have featured on FRUK. Without a doubt these releases have helped to shape our playlists over the years since 2005 when we heard the first release in the series. Alongside Brad Barr’s (The Barr Brothers) catchy Bouba’s Bounce were the likes of Jack Rose, Steve Mann and Glenn Jones…not forgetting the father of American Primitivism John Fahey.
For the latest Vol. 7 release, 20 year old guitarist Hayden Pedigo of Amarillo, TX was asked to curate the album. His biography goes a long way to explaining why he was maybe chosen:
“Living in the Texas Panhandle my whole life, being the son of a baptist preacher & living in the middle of nowhere I spent most of my time listening to records and playing guitar. I was 14 when I heard John Fahey and it changed my life from then on…”
Talking about the release TS add that “this one truly represents the state of the art – an area of evolving musical expression that is very vibrant and healthy indeed.”
As with previous releases there are some new names on here for me to explore but it’s great to see the likes of Wes Tirey and Kyle Fosburgh who, as well being a great versatile guitarist runs his own record label called Grass-Tops Recording which specialises in archiving / reissuing music from the past, as well as featuring new artists. Pedigo has done a fine job of curating this latest in the series.
Here’s a taster from the album with Slowdive’s Simon Scott with Trees Return To Soil, a track which was released as Split, a Lathe-cut 8″ disc with Danny Norbury (cello).
Tracklisting
01.On a Slow Passing Through a Ghost Town-Chuck Johnson
02.Culverts-Sean Proper
03.Enchiridion-Norberto Lobo
04.Trees Return to Soil-Simon Scott
05.Sea Retreat-DBH
06.Araucaria-Jordan Norton
07.The Great North American Wilderness-Kyle Fosburgh
08.Something, or Oil Paintings-Christoph Bruhn
09.USA Self-Michael Vallera
10.Red Bud Valley-Dylan Golden Aycock
11.0/3-M.Mucci
12.Shadow Study at 6 am-Mariano Rodriguez
13.Olympic Peninsula Blues-Andrew Weathers
14.My Grandfather’s 12 Gauge-Wes Tirey
Out on 16 February
Pre-Order via: Amazon