John Hartford “Aereo-Plain”
John Hartford started off like many songwriters, writing song after song trying to hit a big one. And when he did, with Gentle On My Mind (one of the most recorded songs ever), he hung out on those royalties, and all of his subsequent albums were exactly what you would expect from a bluegrass entertainer who did just exactly what he wanted to do. Of course, I must admit that the first time my buddy showed me his tattered LP with some goggled longhair singing hillbilly tunes I wasn’t too interested (probably opting at that time for Trout Mask Replica or the like), but of all the albums I once ignored, this was my biggest mistake.
Hartford is the Frank Zappa of bluegrass. Not quite as prolific in terms of releases, but both musicians were so firmly entrenched in their respective musics, and at the same time, so able to comment on it from an outside, and humorously different point of view. With Aereo-Plain, the first album any wannabe John (or even bluegrass) fan should nab, Hartford grabbed some of the best pickers in town (Norman Blake, Tut Taylor, Vassar Clements, and Randy Scruggs on electric bass guitar) and just let ‘em go. In the studio, the only requirements were that at least one picker had to know the song, and the rest could follow. It was a free-form recording and they didn’t listen to playback until it was all over.
There was magic there at that studio, and for a closer look we have the wonderful, newish companion CD, Steam Powered Aereo-Takes
Not to be missed, then get Morning Bugle. Thanks to Josh, Mike, Phil, Thom, and Nick for this one.
“Back In The Goodle Days”
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I still have that tattered LP.
Mack May 23, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
[...] great country and bluegrass artists: The Louvin Brothers, John Hartford, Osborne [...]
Pingback The Rising Storm » :: Beyond Sweetheart: Good and Real Country Music :: August 11, 2007 @ 9:09 am
This is great stuff! Thanks. You inspired me to sign up for Napster just to purchase this record. Couldn’t find it anywhere else. Love your site.
Paul October 22, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
I’ve recently decided that Morning Bugle is even better, so get that one while you’re at it. Good to see these are actually available somewhere!
Brendan October 23, 2007 @ 8:58 am
This is a terrific album. So curious.
Jordy November 23, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
[...] John Hartford was one of the great unsung heroes of the American roots music revival. His banjo and fiddle chops were top-notch. His songwriting was robust. He made some great records in the late 60s, including “Gentle On My Mind,” which later became a hit for Glen Campbell. During that time he was a staple musician on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Johnny Cash Show, and The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. He also contributed mightily to the countrified sound of the Byrds’ watershed Sweetheart of the Rodeo (hear his fiddle on “I Am a Pilgrim”). His early-70s albums reinvented bluegrass, particularly 1970’s Aereo-Plain. Often considered his masterpiece, Aereo-Plain has long been out of print and is now very difficult to find. For more about it, check the Rising Storm. [...]
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