Teardrop

[Basil Henriques]

Thanks Ahmad. Some of us find that Johnny Farina's playing is a very pale reproduction of his brother's. He just doesn't have the finesse, the dynamics or the articulation in his playing. Santo simply had so much feel and soul, which Johnny can't replicate in any way. Keep at it, you are on your way and you just need the experience that only time can provide.

I just can't see how anyone can compare the two versions, Like Ken said, a very pale reproduction of the original, AND I feel he is misrepresenting himself to the public as "The Sound of Sleep Walk" not nice and VERY misleading.. There is rumour of a family feud over Sleep Walk, Johnny accepted the USA SGHoF award whilst Santo was left out in the cold..
All Johnny was an all of their albums and hit recordings, was the rhythm guitarist, (Santo taught him to play that, but he never taught him to play steel guitar (there was no need))
Jody Carver (Ex Fender salesman) has told me some of the details.. Santo is living in Italy and refuses to give interviews, BUT It will all come to light eventually.. Meanwhile an imposter steals Santo's limelight.. So sad, if it was me I'd come back and haunt them all after I pass on, (May still do it anyway)

The original


The 'attempt'


Not only does he live on Santo's reputation but avoids mentioning him in interviews he even omits to say that his sister wrote the words of Sleep Walk

MWE3: I was reading that there were originally some words for “Sleep Walk”?

JF: When “Sleep Walk” became a hit, the publishers decided that they should add some lyrics to it and try to get more longevity and money out of it. They were totally wrong about that one. A girl did a fine job on it. Her name was Betsy Brye. The vocal came out in ‘59 and really nothing ever happened with it. Later on, The Lettermen tried it, Diana Ross and The Supremes tried it. It was born instrumental, it’ll always be instrumental.

SOURCE
It's a lie about the lyrics being added later, the ORIGINAL 45 single lists Anna as co-writer. On the sheet music it states Santo Farina, Johnny Farina, Anna Farina.
BTW I wouldn't put too much credence on the wikipedia article, it was edited by Johnny..

[Ken Byng]

Hear hear Basil. Johnny Farina's crusade as The Sound Of Santo & Johnny is pure plagiarism. I listened long and hard throughout the interview below (which was described as a Santo & Johnny interview) where JF had ample opportunity to clarify that brother Santo was the steel guitarist on all of those 60's, 70's and early 80's recordings. Perhaps someone else can pick it up. Perhaps not. I believe that Johnny's masquerade is nothing short of arrogance, but for the sake of this forum I will add that this is my personal view.