Harry Taussig issued an obscure, privately pressed album of acoustic guitar instrumentals in 1965, Fate Is Only Once, that was much like John Fahey in its combination of folk, blues, and stark Americana. Taussig, in fact, is just as obscure as the relatively unknown Robbie Basho as Basho is to Fahey. The album was one of the most sought-after collector's items of American Primitive guitar music. The only other recordings that Taussig issued appeared on a 1967 compilation, Contemporary Guitar Spring '67, which as it happened also featured Fahey (whose Takoma label issued the LP) and Basho, as well as Max Ochs and Bukka White. Fate Is Only Once was eventually reissued on CD in 2006. In August of 2012, Taussig, after being endlessly prodded and encouraged by Tompkins Square Records' label boss Josh Rosenthal, released his follow-up, titled, appropriately, Fate Is Only Twice. ~ Richie Unterberger