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José Medeles with Marisa Anderson, M. Ward, and Chris Funk

Last updated on August 5, 2022

Railroad Cadences & Melancholic Anthems by José Medeles with Marisa Anderson, M. Ward, and Chris Funk is a unique release. Medeles gets top billing as the convener of the occasion, a drummer who wanted to make a tribute to John Fahey not by covering the legendary guitarist’s work but by creating songs in his style. To do this, Medeles had to recruit guitarists who could play in Fahey’s style, landing on the trio above. Each of the 11 guitar-and-percussion pieces features Medeles and a single guitarist: five for Anderson, four for Chris Funk, and two for M. Ward.

This unusual process makes the album a bit of a collection rather than a statement. Each of the guitarists contribute at least one “Railroad Cadence” and one “Melancholic Anthem,” but it’s Marisa Anderson’s upbeat, melodic opener “Please Send to J.F.” that exemplifies the Railroad Cadence and Chris Funk’s exploratory, ruminative closer “Voice Of The Turtle” that exemplifies the melancholic anthems. (“Voice of the Turtle” also includes a long recording of Fahey talking about the guitar and performing, which is very melancholic indeed.)

Between these poles, the guitarists each have high points: M. Ward’s walking-pace “Something Else” evokes “Chinese Translation”-era charm while still delivering on an instrumental guitar instead of voice. The ominous, bluesy “The Paper Snake” is a high point from Anderson, while Funk’s work on the shapeshifting “Golden” stands out.

Throughout it all, Medeles holds the record together. Medeles’ drumming is tasteful, restrained, and spot-on. Rattling snares, booming toms, and low cymbals slide fluidly in the melancholy pieces. The same concepts keep the earthy, traditional country-folk energy going during the upbeat work. These songs are supposed to sound iconic, and they for the most part do: if that comes at the sacrifice of some of the pieces’ individuality, that’s a price a tribute will pay. The vibes never stop on this one; it’s a good tribute to a legendary part of the scene in feel and sound. Fans of Fahey will appreciate it, and fans of folk music in general would do well to give it a listen (especially those looking to see another side of M. Ward).