A strangely out of print album, especially considering you can buy officialy released outtakes collection of the same album (if you like this, you should definitely check that out). This is considered a landmark bluegrass album....one of the best of the so called hippie-grass movement of the early 70s that included guys like New Grass Revival, Old and In The Way, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, etc...you know, the original jam bands (the ones that didn't suck). This album also has the distinction of having one of the coolest album covers ever. Released in 1971, it's a must have for any fan of bluegrass, folk, or just damned good music.Turn Your Radio On
Streamboat Whistle Blues
Back in the Goodle 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
Stream Powered Aereo Plane
Holding
Tear Down the Grand Ole Opry
Leather Britches
Station Break
Turn Your Radio On
MP3 @ 192
John Hartford - Aero-plain
Posts
Thanks for this. I just bought the out-takes collection at an antiques store (of all places) about three days ago. It's great, so I can't wait to hear the stuff that made the final cut for the original release.
ReplyDeleteI'd call this a must-have for the album cover alone.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, this is one of the great bluegrass albums ever. The outtakes don't hold a candle to the actual album. His other great albums from that era are Mark Twang and Morning Bugle. There's also some boots from that era with Norman Blake that are nothing short of brilliant.
ReplyDeleteNot to complain, but I couldn't help but notice a lot of clipping on "Tear Down the Grand Ole Opry" ... I wouldn't think it was intentional, but perhaps it it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, I'll have to check that out. Did not notice it....
ReplyDeleteyea i noticed clipping in the 1st minute of tear down also
ReplyDeleteI love this album, it's mind-boggling that it is out of print. It used to sell for close to $100 on ebay (maybe still does?), I never could imagine selling it though.
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking for live Hartford, there's a bunch of shows posted at www.thespps.org
It's a great site, started a few years back by some friends and fans of John. All very much on the up-and-up. There's quite a bit of other music there too. (all free but if you like it, toss in a donation)
I think his best live recordings are late 80's/early 90's, though Aereo-plain is still my favorite studio album. Check it out!
I use to live in Peoria when John was the steamboat captain for the Julia Belle Swain. He was a great guy, really down to earth and loved to tell stories about being on the river. And of course, he was one hell of a muscian.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this.
Sailormom
best album ever.
ReplyDeletethanks- great - but yeah these mp3s were apparently ripped from a cd which already had some slight defects, from #11 onward, worst on Tear Down Opry.
ReplyDelete