Tuesday, November 27, 2012

John Hartford News

Pre-order re-release of Aereoplain and Morning Bugle today at JohnHartford.com
All orders will ship on release date: December 4th, 2012

JOHN HARTFORD: Aereo-Plain/Morning Bugle—the Complete Warner Bros. Recordings


Two of the finest and most significant country /folk albums of the ‘70s, John Hartford’s Aereo-Plain and Morning Bugle are being re-issued by Real Gone Music—with Aereo-Plain/Morning Bugle—the Complete Warner Bros. Recordings. It’s a two-CD, 35-track set that includes four unreleased tracks on each album. Liner notes are by music critic Andrew Vaughan and the Hartford family has generously contributed photos from John’s private collection.

In the early ‘70s John Hartford, fresh from TV stardom and enjoying the fruits of writing one of the most popular songs of all time, “Gentle on My Mind” changed the face of country music. in 1971 and 1972 he was responsible not just for two of the finest folk and country albums of the era but for a new style of bluegrass, a style that would become known as Newgrass.

In 1971 Hartford recorded the seminal Aereo-Plain album alongside bluegrass great Vassar Clements on fiddle, master-craftsman dobro player Tut Taylor, gifted guitarist Norman Blake and Earl Scruggs’ son Randy Scruggs on bass. The sound was fresh, innovative and spawned a hoist of imitators. Indeed Sam Bush of the New Grass Revival said later, “Without Aereo-Plain, there would be no ‘newgrass’ music.”

As with most musical pioneers, the album was a commercial disaster at which point Hartford went even more eclectic on the 1972 follow up, Morning Bugle.

This time Hartford just used two musicians Norman Blake again on guitar and a jazz bass player, Dave Holland to complement his banjo (and occasional overdubbed guitar and fiddle). The country-jazz feel and Hartford's esoteric baffled the public even that Aereo-Plain had but critics and musicians were effusive in their praise. Now, some forty years on these recording are regarded as acoustic music classics and this collection is essential listening for anyone who cares about not just John Hartford but for the beauty and power of acoustic music.

New John Hartford Book Coming Soon!

We are looking for pictures and stories



Nashville based music critic and author Andrew Vaughan, whose work includes the best selling book, The Eagles: An American Band, is working with the Hartford family on a very special book that will tell the story of John’s pioneering work in the early ‘70s with the groundbreaking Aereo-Plain and Morning Bugle albums. The book will feature never seen pictures and photographs, behind the scenes details of the recording sessions and interviews with those who were there. As Andrew researches and writes John’s story he’d love to hear from anyone who may have early ‘70s stories of John, photos, even memories of concerts and festivals. You can contact Andrew at andyjohnvaughan@yahoo.com.

Destination: Bean BlossomSecond Annual Memorial Festival, May 31-June 2



Plans are in full swing for the 2nd Annual John Hartford Memorial Festival, Thursday, May 31 through Saturday, June 2, 2012. Once again, the festival is set for Bill Monroe Memorial Park and Campground in Bean Blossom, Indiana. Special thanks to the one-and-only John Hotze for his work organizing the festival and scheduling a who’s-who of artists to perform, with Jamie Hartford on the bill.

After last year’s successful event there will now be at least 10 shows each day on both stages. They will start at 11:00 or 12:00 and run until about mid-night. There will also be plenty of informal jam sessions around the campfires.

To find out more and purchase tickets go to the festival website.

http://www.johnhartfordmemfest.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JohnHartfordMemorialFestival

Artists confirmed so far include: Great American Taxi, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Jamie Hartford & Friends, Bawn In The Mash, Betse Ellis of the Wilders, Blind Corn Liquor Pickers, John Bultman & friends, Branded Bluegrass, Chicago Farmer, ClusterPluck, Deep Fried Squirrel, Flatland Harmony Experiment, Goldmine Pickers, Heathen's Halo with Worley Boys, Henhouse Prowlers, The Indiana Boys, Johnson's Crossroad, Eric Lambert & Friends, Ray Lawrence JR, The Lulus, Lexi Len Minnich, Ma Crow, New Old Cavalry, Colin O'Brien, The Rootdiggers, Ryan Spearman & Kelly Wells, Wayward Roots, Whipstich Sallies, Whiskey Bent Valley Boys, White Lightning Boys, Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin, Woodstove Flapjacks,

Worley Boys with Heathens Halo

For more details and ticket information, visit THIS LINK.

John Hartford featured in New Bluegrass Documentary

Hartford fans should look out for screenings of a new bluegrass documentary, The Porchlight Sessions. Producer Anna Schwaber has lovingly told the story of bluegrass through its fans and musicians and John Hartford, naturally, figures prominently.

Anna explains: “John Hartford's musical legacy is depicted through archival footage, rare photographs, stories, and a musical performance to honor his music and influence. John's scene includes stories from Steve Martin, Missy Raines, and Jeff Hanna. Yonder Mountain String Band perform a tribute song.”

There will be screenings around the country and a DVD will be available soon. Anna says: “People can see the film either in film festivals (upcoming in January), through the Kickstarter rewards (pre-release DVDs will ship out by the end of the year), and through events we are holding around the country that we are scheduling. If anyone is interested in scheduling another screening, then they can also reach out to us about hosting an event in their town.”

So sign up for the film’s newsletter and follow on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news. You can get all the necessary links at www.porchlightsessions.com.

About Us

The John Hartford Office was created by his kids, Jamie and Katie, to carry on their father’s passion for music and for the river. We are committed to furthering his rich legacy of music, performances, stories and adventures at www.JohnHartford.com. Please visit us to learn more about the man and his music.

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