Hartford Nobody Knows What You Do

I have waited too long to get to this i.

John Hartford is one of the greatest of all country music exponents.

And, if you come from a indie rock, punk, experimental or otherwise adventurous musical background he is possibly the greatest.

Bank check out my other comments for biographical and other item on him.

I'chiliad in danger of repeating myself from earlier comments, just information technology'south worth maxim that Hartford'south music is total of sense of humor, drama, tragedy and observation. It is both extremely traditional and ultra modern in out look.

Hartford wasn't agape of annihilation. Perhaps the royalties he was getting from one of the greatest of all land and pop songs "Gentle on My Mind" (a hit for Glen Campbell and Dean Martin and covered by Elvis Presley and many others) meant he could practise whatever he wanted,

And, that can be unsafe if the person is a 1 trick pony, but Hartford had a fine, inquisitive and adventurous mind.

That financial security (of sorts) meant he tin can habiliment his music on his sleeve and be completely honest (though I doubtable it would accept been anyway). Given that, (after 1970), mayhap to the dismay of his record labels, he has no need to pander to an audience and by not doing and then he creates a whole new audience of devoted country afficionados.

Even today, his music still comes as a bit of a shock.

I'yard not saying this is some sort of crazy free from jazz (though he does write a song near "John McLaughlin") but if y'all like country music and understands its structures, symbols  and history he volition come as a daze or, perhaps, a heretic.

Past the aforementioned token those who beloved old country, the music that was effectually before country became state, love the references and homage-similar gracenotes to sometime Americana, love hippie similar anarchy, or have a humour will dear this.

In another comment, "I called Hartford "Progressive" or "Weird" country. He is still that, but every bit I said then he is also much more. I said: He has also been referred to as literary folk music and " MOR romantic nostalgia told from the perspective of a homeless man remembering days of perfect dear"…. I like that …. He has besides been called Americana/Appalachian Folk/Country-Rock/One-time-Timey/Progressive Bluegrass/Progressive Country/Progressive Folk/String Bands/Traditional Country … accept you pick …but I like all those also'.

Even today with all the cross fertilisation that has gone on in country and bluegrass music , Harford, still, sounds distinctly quirky.

At the time of this anthology John was invigorated. His mainstream high point had come with Aereo-Obviously (1971) and Morning Bugle (1972) which didn't sell well. He signed with Flying Fish and released the wonderfully quirky "Mark Twang" (1976) before releasing this, and then going on to release an album a year for the next five years and lots thereafter (quite a few with Flying Fish).

Flying Fish suited Hartford.  The characterization based in Chicago was founded in 1974 by Bruce Kaplan the sometime president of the University of Chicago's Folklore Society. His aim was to please the hardcore aficionados only also to become the music to a wider audience. "Essentially, he located a niche between the hit-based promotion model of the major labels and the religion of the small independents that the music would find its own audience" https://www.discogs.com/characterization/94384-Flight-Fish-2

The records did reach a wider public (or rather were available to the wider public) but you won't notice whatsoever elevation of the pops amongst them.

The playing is excellent equally yous would expect from a bunch of country, bluegrass (including Mac Wiseman on one track) and session legends (including Elvis semi-regular, David Briggs).

This album has everything a Hartford devotee wants and expects. Some say it peradventure isn't the place to starting time simply that depends entirely on your musical personality and tastes.

To me it is aural nirvana.

And the embrace art is fantastic, perfectly rustic with John in the pilot firm of ane of his beloved paddle steamers.

Tracks (all-time in italics)

      Side One

• You Don't Have To Do That – as country rock equally John is likely to go … and information technology, only just, sounds like state rock. But information technology has a gentle, cute bounce with John breaking the musical 4th wall (is in that location one?) which he often does.
• Didn't Desire To Be Forgotten – an instrumental with marvellous fiddle work and country skat-ish singing sounds.
• In Alpine Buildings – shades of Mr Bojangles. Anyone who has walked in a alpine building (office worker) just yearned for something simpler from their past will sympathize this song. Wonderful romantic melancholia.

Someday, my baby, when I am a man,

            And others have taught me the all-time that they tin,

            Sell me a suit, cut off my hair,

            And ship me to work in tall buildings.

            CHORUS: And so its farewell to the sunshine, goodbye to the dew,

            Cheerio to the flowers, and goodbye to you lot.

            I'g off to the subway. I must not be late.

            I'm going to piece of work in tall buildings.

• John McLaughlin – another instrumental and an ode to jazz guitarist (and Miles Davis sidekick) McLaughlin. Very odd, and not complimentary course jazz but well played.
• Granny Wontcha Fume Some Marijuana – No one will ever advise that John didn't have a sense of humour. A traditional country fiddle hoedown with a non-traditional lyric. Bluegrass legend Mac Wiseman provides some harmony vocals on this.
• The Imitation Hearted Tenor Waltz – lovely contorted vocals in a semi comedic song almost the tenor of the title.
• Joseph'southward Dream – The story of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis (the Astonishing Technicolor Dreamcoat one)… lovely, matter of fact storytelling.

      Side Two

• Down – another country hoedown instrumental.
• The Golden Globe Award – a song nearly err gilt globe awards. Or, breasts. Perfect, though unlikely to be recorded in 2018. "You tin put them in my face merely any old time" …harr
• Sly Feel – another instrumental though this i has some electrical shenangans. It lives upward to its name.
• Somewhere My Love – (Maurice Jarre) / We'll Meet Once more Sweetheart – (Flatt – Scruggs) – Maurice Jarre's love theme from the film Dr Zhivago (1965), "Lara's Theme" became the basis to the vocal song, "Somewhere my Love". The start song versions were by Connie Francis (not a hit in the US only a hit internationally) and Ray Coniff (#8US Pop) in 1966. We'll Meet Again Sweetheart was first released by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys in 1949. Hartford shows his new / old everything is compatible philosophy, hither taking 60s schmaltz and medley-ing it with an sometime bluegrass vocal. Information technology's like some quondam guy singing stream of consciousness songs from his musical memory. Wonderful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lara%27s_Theme
• Nobody Knows What Y'all Exercise – a statement of religion and perchance a statement on his musical position. Neat fun.

And …

…. I'm keeping it.

Chart Activity

cypher

Sounds

Yous Don't Accept To Do That?

https://world wide web.youtube.com/watch?five=fWvosfqDhkw

In Tall Buildings

mp3 attached

The False Hearted Tenor Waltz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?five=sPRKgwB0QGE

Joseph's Dream

https://www.youtube.com/scout?v=oaCR3n8tvrY

The Golden World Award

https://www.youtube.com/sentry?v=Hekm2QXZ_wU

Nobody Knows What You Do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7wjd0Gg93c

Others

https://world wide web.youtube.com/watch?v=rN0iOkMNZqQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8HvNot3ZbY

with Glen Campbell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bon3WIhDq4

Review

https://www.allmusic.com/album/nobody-knows-what-yous-do-mw0000088794

http://nodepression.com/article/holy-trinity-john-hartford

Bio

http://www.allmusic.com/creative person/john-hartford-mn0000221603

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hartford

Website

http://www.johnhartford.com/

http://www.johnhartford.org/

Trivia

• Personnel – John Hartford – banjo, guitar, fiddle, vocals, harmony vocals / Sam Bush-league – mandolin, vocals, harmony vocals / David Briggs – piano / Jim Colvard – guitar / Dalton Dillingham – bass / Buddy Emmons – dobro, pedal steel guitar / Roy Thousand. "Junior" Husky – bass / Kenny Malone – drums / Benny Martin – fiddle, guitar, harmony vocals / Dale Sellers – guitar / Mac Wiseman – vocals, harmony vocals / Producer: Michael Melford.
• The paddle steamer on the cover (and back) is the towboat W.P. Snyder …. for you paddle steam "spotters".

RIP: Tony Joe White 1943 – 2018

evansgrapply.blogspot.com

Source: https://whatfrankislisteningto.negstar.com/americana/john-hartford-nobody-knows-what-you-do-flying-fish-1976/

Share this post