In Christ There Is No East or West: The John Fahey Albums Poll

Oh I thought you meant the audio interview, the stuff about the Mississippi Swampers, etc. I gotta get that box one of these days.

Don't forget to read his book 'How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life'. Yesterday I read the story 'April in the Orange' and it's amazing.

Gave God, Time, and Causality another listen yesterday, and I'm all the more convinced it was recorded sometime in the late 70s/early 80s despite its 1989 release date. A lot of the medleys contained within match up almost directly to his live repertoire at the time (for one, compare the version of Lion on here to the Rockpalast take in 1978, or the take of Red Pony w/the 'Disco Void' present on Live in Tasmania- 1980).

I also take back my accusation that is filled with retreads- while he does revisit some of his classic material, the interpretations are unique enough, and the music original to this release is in some cases unlike anything else he'd ever done- last track in particular is a stunner. And the version of Red Pony on here... god damn. I had to start the track over after the raga style intro just because it's that good. ANYWAY, the point of all this blather is to say that if you have some regard for Railroad, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a shot. It definitely stands out like a (welcome) sore thumb in the midst of his other 80s work, I'd say.

This sounds right in my wheelhouse. Thanks, global.

I have never heard that Live in Tasmania record - not sure why I haven't. What do you like about it, stalin?

just saw this - i suppose it's 'classic fahey', not really doing anything that wasn't present in his work 10+ years earlier, but it seems such a perfectly refined and distilled version of that. since i already have trouble pinpointing what it is that makes me like fahey so much i don't really know how to explain it beyond that.

I like The Great Santa Barbara Oil Slick more than the Tasmania album. I'm stupid drunk so I won't try to explain why except Requiem For Mississippi John Hurt is awesome.

iirc god time & causality was presented to the record company as fresh recordings, but they were all taken from these legendary 'nut house' sessions which are from '79ish & only heard in full by the fahey illuminati. the whole album is great - fahey at his medley-best - but sandy on earth, the final track, belongs on whatever sort of hallowed Great Fahey Top 10 you might struggle to construct, a massive grinning build up and for a giddy moment John Fahey Goes Flamenco. I am jealous of anyone who gets to listen to it for the first time.