The Horseflies – Human Fly on vinyl LP. 1987 old-time fiddle and banjo fused with synths, Cooking Vinyl. Ships from Germany.
About Human Fly
A vinyl pressing of a genuinely inventive 1987 record from Ithaca, New York band The Horseflies, fusing old-time Appalachian fiddle and banjo with industrial drum machines and synthesizers.
Human Fly is an album by The Horseflies, released in 1987 (with vinyl following in 1988) via Cooking Vinyl, licensed in the US via Rounder Records. The band built their sound around fiddler Judy Hyman, banjo player Rich Stearns, guitarist and synthesizer player Jeff Claus and bassist John Hayward, fusing deep old-time Appalachian roots with unexpected electronic textures. This listing is a vinyl LP pressing from a Berlin based eBay seller.
- Who were The Horseflies
- About Human Fly
- The album's inventive fusion
- Pressing details and buying advice
Quick Spin
- Artist The Horseflies were a band from Ithaca, New York, blending old-time Appalachian folk with unexpected electronic and industrial elements.
- Release Human Fly came out via Cooking Vinyl in 1987/88, produced by Bill Usher, licensed in the US via Rounder Records.
- Lineup Judy Hyman on fiddle, Rich Stearns on banjo and vocals, Jeff Claus on guitar, processed banjo-uke and synthesizer, and John Hayward on bass.
- Sound Cajun fiddle and old-time banjo fused with industrial drum machines and Steve Reich-influenced marimba-like arrangements.
- Structure Divided into two conceptual halves, The Spider Ate My Husband and Legs As White As Priests.
The Horseflies – Human Fly (LP, Album)
Vinyl LP, Cooking Vinyl
Vinyl LP pressing of Human Fly, sold by a Berlin based eBay seller with 100% positive feedback.
Pressing Specifications
Who Were The Horseflies?
The Horseflies formed in Ithaca, New York, built around fiddler Judy Hyman and banjo player and vocalist Rich Stearns, whose grounding in old-time Appalachian fiddle and banjo tradition formed the band's core sonic identity. Rather than staying within a purely acoustic, traditionalist mould, guitarist Jeff Claus brought synthesizers and a processed banjo-uke into the mix, while bassist John Hayward rounded out a lineup determined to push old-time music into genuinely uncharted territory.
About Human Fly And Its Inventive Fusion
Produced by Bill Usher and recorded and mixed by Kevin Doyle, Human Fly divides its nine tracks into two conceptually framed halves, wryly titled The Spider Ate My Husband and Legs As White As Priests. The record fuses cajun fiddle and old-time banjo with industrial drum machines and percussion arrangements drawing on the minimalist, marimba-like patterns associated with composer Steve Reich, resulting in a sound one longtime fan described as everything working quite well in a genuinely exhilarating way. Highlights include a tender, unexpectedly moving rendition of the traditional Hush Little Baby, sung by Stearns with what one listener called an incredibly peaced voice, and the ambitious closer I Live Where It's Gray, which layers old-time fiddle and banjo over refreshing, forward-thinking electronic percussion. Retrospective listeners have credited the album's inventive approach as a clear influence on later acts including Cordelia's Dad and Grandaddy.
Critical Reception
- A genuinely inventive fusion of old-time fiddle and banjo with electronic textures
- Praised by fans for its exhilarating, forward-thinking approach
- Credited as an influence on later acts including Grandaddy and Cordelia’s Dad
- A distinctive, well loved record among fans of experimental Americana
- Unconventional structure and electronic elements won’t suit purist old-time fans
- A used copy; condition should be checked in the listing
- Niche appeal outside experimental folk and progressive Americana collectors
What is Human Fly by The Horseflies?
It is a 1987 album fusing old-time Appalachian fiddle and banjo with electronic drum machines and synthesizers, released via Cooking Vinyl.
Who were The Horseflies?
A band from Ithaca, New York, built around fiddler Judy Hyman, banjo player Rich Stearns, guitarist and synth player Jeff Claus, and bassist John Hayward.
What makes this album distinctive?
It blends traditional old-time and cajun fiddle and banjo playing with industrial drum machines and minimalist, Steve Reich-influenced percussion arrangements.
What songs are on this album?
Tracks include Human Fly, Hush Little Baby, Who Throwed Lye On My Dog and I Live Where It’s Gray, among others.
Does this listing ship outside Germany?
The seller is based in Berlin and lists a fixed shipping cost; check the current listing for up to date international shipping options and rates.
Where To Buy This Pressing
Worth The Spin?
- A genuinely inventive, ahead-of-its-time fusion of old-time folk and electronic music
- Credited as an influence on later indie folk and alt-country acts
- Best suited to fans of experimental, electronically inflected Americana
Human Fly remains a fascinating, well loved curiosity of late 1980s experimental folk, and this listing offers a vinyl pressing from a highly rated German seller.