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Song of the Avatars: The Lost Master Tapes

Robbie Basho

Label: Tompkins Square
Released: 2021
Views: 373

Tracks

Harakiri, Kali Style; If I Had Possession; Bengali Prayer; Brahman's Blues; Tatanka; Medieval Nocturne; Autumn Child; Priest Spring Jazz; Hippie Song; Swamp Song; Rosey Bush; Gypsy Rosary; Himalayan Highlands; Rising Sun Song; Song of the Avatars; Mehera My Love; Mehera's Lament; Hymn for the Warriors of the Rainbow; White Buffalo; Walla Walla; Crazy Horse Soliloquy; Come to Me; Symphonic Quisada for the Prophet; Cry of the Nightingale; Song of God; Le Jardin (Ballet); Libation; House of God; Breeze in the Palace; Queen's Ride; Bhupali; Golden Palomino; Memorial; Great Depression Blues; American Sunday; Bride of Thunder; Ride the Buffalo; Majnun's Lament; Omar Khayyam Country; Four Ladies Across the Water; Tears of Teresa; Blues from Lebanon; The Song of Leila; Califia; Tree of Love; Lady Fair; Wonder Song; The Fortunes of War; Hindu Christmas Carol; Shepherd of the Stars; Baba Boy; Murshida's Wally; Sea of Light (Baba's Ship Song); Lord of Roses.

Personnel

Robbie Basho

guitar and vocals

Album Description

Robbie Basho (1940-1986) is widely regarded as one of the progenitors of what's commonly known today as American Primitive guitar. Growing up in Maryland alongside neo-traditional guitar explorers John Fahey and Max Ochs, Basho's path would take a decidedly different turn, bringing Hindi, Indian, Japanese and Native American musical traditions into his work. His albums for Takoma and Vanguard have left an indelible trail of influence across generations of musicians, from William Ackerman and Pete Townshend to Ben Chasny and William Tyler.

Liam Barker first became aware of Basho having purchased Tompkins Square's reissue of Venus in Cancer, released in 2006. This led him on an incredible fact-finding expedition, unraveling the many layers of mystery surrounding Basho's life and death, all deftly compiled and depicted in his documentary film, Voice of the Eagle : The Enigma of Robbie Basho.

During the research process, Barker came across a large cache of unheard Basho tapes recorded throughout his career, ranging roughly from 1965-1985. By arrangement with Basho's Estate and the original custodians of the tapes, Tompkins Square is set to release Song of the Avatars : The Lost Master Tapes, a 5CD set of previously... unreleased material. The label will release a single disc vinyl LP as well. The set includes notes by Barker, Henry Kaiser, Steffen Basho-Junghans, Glenn Jones and Richard Osborn, as well as many unseen photographs.

Album uploaded by Michael Ricci