Aereo-Plain - JOHN HARTFORD***

Turn Your Radio On/Steamboat Whistle Blues/Back In The Good Ole Days/Up On The Hill Where They Do The Boogie/Boogie/First Girl I Loved/Presbyterian Guitar/With A Vamp In The Middle/Symphony Hall Rag/Because Of You/Steam Powered Aereo Plane/Holding/Tear Down The Grand Old Opry/Leather Britches/Station Break/Turn Your Radio On

John Hartford was an American country and bluegrass musician recognised for his masterly of the fiddle and banjo. Aereo-Plain was his most highly regarded album, but he is best remembered for the Grammy winning song Gentle On My Mind. (US:193)

“John Hartford has a way of taking us beyond the plastic confines of post-modern America and back to a world of muddy rivers, rolling green hills, and the syncopated rhythm of old fiddlers twisting tunes out of the air and into our consciousness. This album is one of the most original in the bluegrass/old time pantheon. It's one of those rare opportunities to experience first-hand the reflections of a true old soul looking out at an ever ‘progressing’ America, and the silliness with which John tells the story is both delightful and comforting.”

“You have to love any album that can include a song as beautiful as Presbyterian Guitar and one as silly as Boogie. This is like having a few of your really talented neighbours stop over on a warm, breezy evening down by the river. You sip, you listen, you laugh, you smile, you dream, you remember what it means to be human.”

“This is probably the pinnacle of his career, the awesome Aereo-Plain. It’s a shame he isn't using his fiddle much at this stage, but this is a real banjo plucking bluegrass album. If you are dismissive of country music this is the man to make the step with a lyrical genius and what a voice, often deep, sometimes falsetto, always intriguing.”

“From the sound of John's banjo to his wonderful crazy lyrics, it's a bluegrass extravaganza. I love the music, the lyrics and they do a great job of giving it a lot of energy.”

“Aereo-Plain is an album that I become thoroughly obsessed with for periods every few years. Each time I hear something new, or a fresh emotion results. This album is unspeakably beautiful.”

“This album marked one of the first attempts to link traditional bluegrass styles with modern themes and lyrics. The musicianship set standards of excellence that compare favourably with any album before or since. This album shines with a purity of thought and musicianship.”