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Hey there Sorry Staters! It’s been a long hot summer here in North Carolina and the heat hasn’t let up yet. We are doing our best to keep cool and hope that wherever you are in the world things aren’t too bad. Obviously our southern hemisphere readers are in their winter, but certainly know all about scorching summers. Extreme weather events are becoming the norm and yet here in America just this week during their debate, Republican candidates for president to a man all denied climate change was even real or an issue. Shameful and disgusting. The lot of them. But whatever, we all know they’re assholes. Let’s talk about music and records instead. It’s been a minute since we did one of these and honestly evangelizing about music and turning folks on to cool records is what we love to do most here at Sorry State. That and bringing the music to you directly, like when Scarecrow play live.
Talking about Scarecrow playing live, I hope that some of you got a chance to see them play on their recent tour with Vidro. I really enjoyed the show here in Raleigh and was particularly impressed with Vidro from Sweden. We should still have copies of their LP in stock, and I can highly recommend it. Also playing that evening was Yellowcake and Pig City. We missed Pig City as we were closing the shop, but had the pleasure of meeting the bands in the store and took the opportunity to take some copies of records and tapes that both had with them. The Yellowcake tapes sold already, but we do still have copies of the Pig City LP if you would like to support them.
This week I would like to use my space in the newsletter to talk about an artist who in the country music world is a household name, but might be new to some of you reading. His name is John Hartford, and although sadly not with us anymore, left a body of work behind him to guarantee his legendary status for years to come. I’m not sure how many of you punks out there appreciate county, folk and bluegrass music, but if you do, then John Hartford is someone you should investigate in addition to the countless other cool artists and records that come under the country and bluegrass banner. Don’t forget the Ramones played at a place called CBGB & OMFUG, which literally has the name of the music in the name. As I write this, Jeff and I are listening to Rocket to Russia. Everything is connected. LoL.
So, back to John Hartford. His career would take a couple of pages to write about and I would encourage a deeper look at his Wiki page for starters. He was born in New York, raised in St. Louis and moved to Nashville to begin his career in the early 1960s. His early records were in the then current country folk style, but his big break came with a tune called Gentle On My Mind, which he wrote. It became a small hit for him but an even bigger one for Glen Campbell, who heard it and covered it himself and turned the song into an international hit song. Years later, Hartford would credit that early break in financing his whole career and affording him the luxury to experiment and be true to himself as an artist.
Harford was a multi-instrumentalist and could play banjo, fiddle and guitar equally well. He also developed a clogging technique where he would stomp on wood boards to provide his own beat. A true one-man band. His music caught the ear of many as he became popular, and this led to him becoming a regular on the Smothers Brothers TV show and on Glen Campbell’s TV show. A label switch to Warner Brothers and then Flying Fish in the 70s began a run of releases that were far more experimental in their approach to bluegrass and would be later be dubbed as Newgrass. For many, the defining record in his catalogue is one titled Aero-Plane, released in 1971. I have become slightly obsessed with this record recently and was delighted to find it in a collection that we bought a while back. I had a strong feeling that I was going to find a copy and was convinced that there would be one in this collection. Sure enough, in the very last box (out of dozens) that we had been going through, there was a copy. Sweet. I love it when that happens. The main reason that I have fallen in love with this record is for the song Steam Powered Aero-plane, which is just so good and probably the reason why people seek out this particular title. I must thank Rachel (who used to work for us) and John Scott for reviving my interest in country and bluegrass. John Scott introduced me to Billy Strings, a real generational talent btw, and his band cover some John Hartford songs. We listen to Billy Strings live shows while we work and had been enjoying hearing their take on the Aero-Plane song and so it was great to see them perform the song live at one of the shows the band played here in North Carolina recently. There were many other great moments that night in Cary, but that one really made it for me. Kudos to banjo player Billy Failing who sings the song in their sets.
Looking at Discogs, it seems that the Aero-Plane album commands the highest price amongst his albums. His other Warner Brothers record called Morning Bugle, which was released the year after, is also a good record and in demand, but most of his other albums shouldn’t make a big dent in your wallet should you start to seek them out. He recorded over thirty albums throughout his career, so there are lots to find. I’ve managed to score a few so far and have found something cool on all of them. I love Hartford’s voice and his lyrics. He’s a character for sure and supremely smart and talented. Apparently, though, amongst some bluegrass purists, his Newgrass style wasn’t universally appreciated. Their loss I say. However, for most people, his music is something to cherish and celebrate. The more I read about him, the more I like him. He was fascinated with the Mississippi River and the stories through history associated with it, for instance, and recorded a cool record in tribute to it titled Mark Twang. I found this one too, and it’s another good one. Hopefully I’ll come across a couple of those earlier sixties albums soon, but I am extremely happy to snag a copy of Aero-Plane.
Rock ‘n’ Roll and loud guitar music will always rule, but there’s plenty of punk attitude to be found in Bluegrass music, just as there is in other styles. Cumbia is a great example. Remember it’s not your clothes or your haircut that makes you punk. Thanks for reading and your support. Go play some records.
Cheers - Dom