Audio CD review:
John Fahey - On the Sunny Side of the Ocean

John Fahey - On the Sunny Side of the Ocean

Band: John Fahey Title: On the Sunny Side of the Ocean Rating: Release Date: 2006-10-23 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: On The Sunny Side Of The Ocean 2: When Springtime Comes Again 3: St Louis Blues 4: Give Me Combread When I'm Hungry 5: Spanish Two Step 6: Spanish Dance 7: Dance Of The Inhabitants Of The Palace Of King Phillip Xiv Of Spain 8: I'm Goin' To Do All I Can For My Lord 9: The Last Steam Engine Train 10: Poor Boy A Long Way From Home 11: Some Summer Day 12: In Christ There Is No East Or West 13: Sunflower River Blues 14: Revolt Of The Dyke Brigade 15: Take A Look At That Baby

How could they get it so wrong? John Fahey was a great musician whose extraordinary guitar style had an enormous influence on many aspiring players, me included. Firstly, let me stress that the poor rating I have given this release is in no way a reflection on the quality of the music contained on the disc. BUT This reissue of the Best of John Fahey is a disgrace, and Brook Records should be ashamed of themselves for treating this important music with such little respect. Of the fifteen tracks only two have been given their correct title on the sleeve. All of the titles listed are present but in an almost totally different order to how they actually appear on the disc itself. It is hard to imagine how they got it so wrong. The consequence of their incompetence means that the majority of the purchasers of this disc are going to be under a complete misapprehension as to the titles of the pieces presented. My advice is to not bother with this compilation. Brook Records certainly do not deserve your custom or to be the custodians of music of such significance as that which is presented here, which should be preserved for posterity in a far more respectful manner. This is music that is not just great to listen to, but is also historically important and deserves to be treated accordingly. Not in the ramshackle manner in which it has been on this release by a record company that, from the evidence here, clearly has no interest in the quality of their product, let alone such trifles as historical accuracy. For anyone who has the misfortune of having already purchased this title, here is an amended track listing corresponding to how they actually appear on the disc. 1. Dance of the Inhabitants of the Palace of King Phillip XIV of Spain 2. In Christ There Is No East or West 3. Poor Boy a Long Way from Home 4. On the Sunny Side of the Ocean 5. Revolt of the Dyke Brigade 6. Some Summer Day 7. I'm Going To Do All I Can for My Lord 8. Spanish Two Step 9. When Springtime Comes Again 10. The Last Steam Engine Train 11. St. Louis Blues 12. Spanish Dance 13. Sunflower River Blues 14. Give Me Cornbread When I'm Hungry 15. Take a Look at That Baby . You can see a complete list of all John Fahey discography, or go back to the John Fahey tabs