Today would have been the 69th birthday of Robbie Basho, composer, guitarist, pianist, singer, sage. In memoriam I have written this piece about him…
“Basho as Imagined” by Fletcher Tucker
7 feet tall and 29 pounds, Robbie Basho was created on August 31st 1940. His enormous stature was attributed (by many) to his father, the Mountain, conversely his feathery weight was bestowed upon him by his mother, Fresh Fallen Snow. With hands as broad as an alpine stream during spring thaw, Basho was made to play the 12-string guitar… some find it a daunting instrument… the breadth of its neck, and the delicate placement of the strings challenge most, but nourished Basho. Channeling old and modern magic through his instrument Basho set out to create a new form of music, the American Raga. As gifted as any beast can be with an instrument, or composition, he was equally gifted as a singer. Basho had a voice like an old Viking king and a range of highest vibratos and rumbling, lamenting moans; his remarkable vocal power was no doubt a bi-product of lungs comparably sized to that of a bull moose. His lyrics were a refined visionary beam, casting light on mythos and mystery from the ancient America, mystic Persia, ascetic Hindu, and feudal Japan. Warrior-artist Basho, armed with voice, words, wood (body), steel (strings), and sight, is one of our greatest illuminators… little known shaman of America the Beautiful… bringer of song from beyond the veil.
- “Factual” information can be found at the wikipedia
- His records are rare, and almost none of them are currently in print, so look for them to download. I recommend “Voice of the Eagle” & “Visions on the Country” but also stand by each and every one his many records.
