March 07, 2004
John Hartford
I recently came across a 6 hour memorial broadcast for singer-songwriter-musician John Hartford. John had been performing since the 60s but the success of his hit "Gentle on My Mind" set him free of the constraints of commercial music and allowed him to write and perform as he pleased. From writing for the old Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour all the way up to consulting and performing on the soundtrack of "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou," John was a force in American music.
I was introduced to John's album Areoplane in the mid 70s by my friend Gregg Freeman. It was only natural that Gregg should introduce me to John's wry wit and unassuming style. I followed John's music as I encountered it. We even got to see him perform in Atlanta in the mid 90s. He sang and played his songs, even dancing out a rendition on a 15 foot piano keyboard spread across the stage floor.
Getting to listen to this retrospective, hearing interviews and performances which allowed me to watch his craft develop over time, gave me an even deeper appreciation for this gifted man and his craft.
Posted by apopheniac at March 7, 2004 02:40 PM