Of Rivers and Religion

by John Fahey and His Orchestra

Of Rivers and Religion cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 15 August 1972
  • Label: Reprise
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 36:53
  • Community rating: 3.69/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Expanding his typically solitary acoustic guitar work, the pioneer of American Primitivism utilized a traditional New Orleans-style Dixieland brass band for this eccentric release. The resulting fusion of intricate, Delta blues fingerpicking and joyous, slightly melancholic brass arrangements creates a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere. It is a highly idiosyncratic and affectionate exploration of early 20th-century American musical forms.

Genres

Descriptors: instrumental, acoustic, guitar-led, bluesy, orchestral

Tracklist

  1. Steamboat Gwine 'Round De Bend (4:14)
  2. Medley: Deep River & Ol' Man River (5:47)
  3. Dixie Pig Bar B-Q Blues (4:00)
  4. Texas & Pacific Blues (4:31)
  5. Funeral Song for Mississippi John Hurt (4:23)
  6. Medley: By the Side of the Road & I Come, I Come (6:05)
  7. Lord Have Mercy (2:29)
  8. Song (5:20)

Credits

  • Rodney Franklin - primary artist, backing vocals, written-by, arranged by [rhythm], piano [acoustic], synthesizer [oberheimer polyphonic], written-by, arranged by [rhythm], piano [acoustic], electric piano [fender rhodes], synthesizer [oberheimer polyphonic], written-by, lead vocals, written-by, lead vocals, arranged by [rhythm], electric piano [fender rhodes], synthesizer [oberheimer polyphonic], keyboards
  • Tom Tom 84 - arranged by [horns, strings], arranged by [strings], arranged by [horns], arranged by [strings, horns], arranged by [rhythm, horns, strings]
  • Audrey Franklin - backing vocals
  • Daryl Coley - backing vocals, lead vocals
  • Janice Maxie - backing vocals, lead vocals
  • Phyllis St. James - backing vocals, written-by, lead vocals
  • Freddie Washington - bass
  • Tony St. James - drums

More from John Fahey and His Orchestra: full discography