Live in Tasmania
41 min · 6 tracks · blues
Intimate acoustic storytelling melds with intricate fingerpicking, weaving together folk narratives and bluesy reflections in a captivating live setting.
Top tracks — play these first
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On the Sunny Side of the Ocean — This track features Fahey’s signature fingerpicking style combined with lively rhythms, encapsulating his ability to merge traditional folk with modern sensibilities.
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Waltzing Matilda — His rendition transforms this Australian folk classic into a personal narrative, showcasing Fahey's interpretive creativity and deep respect for cultural heritage.
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Funeral Song for Mississippi John Hurt — This tribute highlights Fahey’s reverence for blues history, blending nostalgia with heartfelt emotion, making it a poignant moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures Fahey's unique guitar style and storytelling in a live setting, highlighting his improvisation and audience connection.
What we noticed
- Fahey frequently engages with the audience, providing commentary and context between songs, which adds to the intimate atmosphere.
- The guitar work is characterized by intricate fingerpicking patterns that shift between folk and blues influences throughout the performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intricate guitar storytelling moments
- engaging live performance atmosphere
- captivating tales of place
- reflective afternoon listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer concise standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1979, Live in Tasmania captures John Fahey during a period of artistic exploration following his earlier commercial success. This album showcases his unique blend of American folk and blues guitar styles as he re-establishes his presence in the music scene after a brief hiatus from major label releases.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leo Kottke· Bert Jansch· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Introduction by Stefan Markovich / On the Sunny Side of the Ocean / Tasmania Two‐Step Tiger 13:38
- 2 The Approaching of the Disco Void 6:49
- 3 Waltzing Matilda 2:30
- 4 Fahey Established Rapport With the Tasmanians: A Dissertation on Obscurity / The Return of the Tasmanian Tiger / Funeral Song for Mississippi John Hurt 8:55
- 5 Steamboat Gwine ’Round de Bend 4:55
- 6 Indian‐Pacific R.R. Blues 5:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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