Steam Powered Aereo-Takes

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Following years of ups and downs at RCA, John Hartford moved to Warner Brothers in 1971. Working with fiddler Vassar Clements, guitarist Norman Blake, and Dobro player Tut Taylor, Hartford found his creative muse on the landmark progressive bluegrass album Aereo-Plain, issued in 1972. Hartford's quirky humor was the focus, but his deep love for traditional music served as a framework. This entrancing, occasionally off-center collection assembles selected demos, alternate takes, and unreleased material (including Taylor and Blake instrumentals) from those sessions. While he credibly tackled oldies such as "Where the Old Red River Flows" and Jimmie Skinner's "Doin' My Time," Hartford's originals made the difference. "Don't Ever Take Your Eyes off the Game, Babe," "Howard Hughes Blues," and "Strange Old Man" were good enough for release at the time. His fearlessness even extended to such obvious duds as the inane pun ditty "Emanuel Cant" and the ponderous "Blame It on Joann." However, hearing a take of "Boogie," his famous guttural chant from Aereo-Plain, dissolve into coughing and laughter can't help but bring a smile. --Rich Kienzle

Tracks:

Where the Old Red River Flows
Ruff and Ready
Blame It On Joann
The Vamp from Back in the Goodle Days
Emanuel Cant
Bad Music (Is Better Than No Music At All)
Dig A Hole
Presbyterian Guitar
Strange Old Man
Lady Jane
Oasis
Because of You
Morning Bugle
John Henry
Doin' My Time
Keep On Truckin'
Don't Ever Take Your Eyes Off the Game, Babe
Howard Hughes Blues

Amazon.com

Following years of ups and downs at RCA, John Hartford moved to Warner Brothers in 1971. Working with fiddler Vassar Clements, guitarist Norman Blake, and Dobro player Tut Taylor, Hartford found his creative muse on the landmark progressive bluegrass album Aereo-Plain, issued in 1972. Hartford's quirky humor was the focus, but his deep love for traditional music served as a framework. This entrancing, occasionally off-center collection assembles selected demos, alternate takes, and unreleased material (including Taylor and Blake instrumentals) from those sessions. While he credibly tackled oldies such as "Where the Old Red River Flows" and Jimmie Skinner's "Doin' My Time," Hartford's originals made the difference. "Don't Ever Take Your Eyes off the Game, Babe," "Howard Hughes Blues," and "Strange Old Man" were good enough for release at the time. His fearlessness even extended to such obvious duds as the inane pun ditty "Emanuel Cant" and the ponderous "Blame It on Joann." However, hearing a take of "Boogie," his famous guttural chant from Aereo-Plain, dissolve into coughing and laughter can't help but bring a smile. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

Stop the presses.......2003-10-12

Now if you are a fan of bluegrass, then you are probably familiar with Mr Hartford. His two Warner Brother's albums, (Aereo Plane and Morning Bugle) blew out the chocks on bluegrass more than thirty years ago. These records are so good, they come with their own weather. This release of outtakes, especially at this time (John died last year, piloting his Steamboat into distant rivers) actually brings a tear to my eye.

If you have not heard of John Hartford, start anywhere, but don't skip this one. He plays a style that is as much Uncle Dave Macon as Earl Scruggs or Don Reno, but with a serious blues/pop bent. He also displays a fine wit and a constant sense of the absurd that old hippies like myself find comforting.

Don't let the deal go down!

outtakes can be good.......2002-07-19

With an album full of outakes, one would think John Hartford and the Aereoplain would be a joke. However, after listening to old favorites such as "Where the Old Red River Flows," and unreleased tracks I fell in love with the boys. Featuring Hartford, Norman Blake, Tut Taylor, Vassar Clements and Randy Scruggs this record is a huge success.

"outtakes" never sounded better.......2002-02-18

Yeah sure this is outtakes, but while most outtakes albums make OK museum pieces for the ardent fan, this collection actually works as a completed collection of tunes. I have to agree with Sam Bush's notes to the re-issue of Aereo Plane that I just keep rediscovering this music over the years and it just keeps sounding fresher. Mr. Hartford created a wacky sort of nostalgia for the future when he originally released "Back in the Goodle Days". Now with the release of this almost eerie "Vamp from Back in the Goodle Days" we come full circle with a real nostalgia, but unexpected gift from the past. Bob Carlin's production is superb, and I suspect since the production was largely completed prior to John's death, there is more of John in the grooves (or digital pits, as the case is in this digital day) here than just dust on some old tapes.

A reviewer here mentioned the never released "Radio John". Watch for it's release on the UK label, BMG Camden Deluxe (see their website for further info) in March 2002. Let's hope Amazon is able to deliver it in the US at a reasonable price!

Aero-Plain Flies Again.......2002-02-09

I love this band! I own a lot of John's music and it's all good. But this band had a magic to it that comes out in the recordings. These guys just jell into one mass of entertainment. If you liked John's Aero-Plain release then there's no way you won't like this one. It's energetic, spontaneous, experimental, original, funny and sometimes thought-provoking.

There's some new songs on here that I've never heard before. They're all great quality recodings. And there are some from other releases. For example "Back in the Goodle Days", "Because of You" and "Presbyterian Guitar" from the original Aero-Plain are on this CD. And "Howard Hughes Blues" and "Morning Bugle" from the Morning Bugle album are here too. But they are all different takes. Sometimes you won't even recognize them from their original release. But they are all absolutely great, capturing the original essence of the band in a different way.

And the liner notes by John's old friend and collaborator Bob Carlin provide a unique perspective of this group of very talented musicians.

If you're a John Hartford fan you have to own this one. John lives! Give us more!

a gift from a god of music.......2002-01-24

this cd is simply wonderful, the recordings were recently uncovered and assembled by hartford's band member and banjoist extraordinaire bob carlin, he has given us something really special. as important to own as the two albums that it overlaps with: steam powered aereoplane and morning bugle. now if someone could just release the never-released album radio john, we'd really be swimming in classic amazing john hartford music. this is some of that

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