Days Have Gone By

History

Days Have Gone By continues Fahey's interest in soundscapes, sound effects and experimental music—begun on The Great San Bernardino Birthday Party & Other Excursions—mixed in with the more traditional guitar playing of his earlier musical style. This is especially present on the two-part piece, "A Raga Called Pat".

"The Portland Cement Factory at Monolith, California," was covered by Cul de Sac on their album ECIM.

Reception

Music critic Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. of Allmusic praised the album, noting the album "expands American blues traditions by enriching the palette of the guitar with Eastern tunings. He may create a challenging work like "A Raga Called Pat--Part Two" that is difficult to interpret, but its opulence is undeniable. Fahey has often been grouped with new age music but this—especially with his early work—is somewhat of a misnomer. New age strives to build harmony; Fahey revels in conflict. Days Have Gone By is another rewarding reissue of the master's classic '60s work and will be eagerly greeted by guitar aficionados."

From his review for All About Jazz, critic Derek Taylor called it "... an album very much in the experimental vein that he first started tapping in the early 1960s... Fahey’s influence remains indelibly etched in the psyches of those who have followed him, regardless of whether or not the corporate music culture chooses to recognize it. The self-styled grandfather of “American Primitive” guitar may be gone, but with documents like this one within ready reach his memory and music will endure for years and years to come."

Reissues

Track listing

All songs credited to John Fahey unless otherwise noted.

1. "The Revolt of the Dyke Brigade" – 2:40
2. "Impressions of Susan" – 5:08
3. "Joe Kirby Blues" – 3:12
4. "Night Train of Valhalla" – 2:17
5. "The Portland Cement Factory at Monolith, California" – 4:26
6. "A Raga Called Pat, Pt. 1" – 6:25
7. "A Raga Called Pat, Pt. 2" – 8:13
8. "My Shepherd Will Supply My Needs" – 8:52
9. "My Grandfather's Clock" (Henry Clay Work, Traditional) – 1:31
10. "Days Have Gone By" – 2:54
11. "We Would Be Building" (Jean Sibelius) – 1:57

Personnel