Steam Powered Aereo-Takes

Steam Powered Aereo-Takes

Following years of ups and downs at RCA, John Hartford moved to Warner Brothers in 1971. Working with fiddler Vassar Clements, guitarist Norman Blake, and Dobro player Tut Taylor, Hartford found his creative muse on the landmark progressive bluegrass album <I>Aereo-Plain</I>, issued in 1972. Hartford's quirky humor was the focus, but his deep love for traditional music served as a framework. This entrancing, occasionally off-center collection assembles selected demos, alternate takes, and unreleased material (including Taylor and Blake instrumentals) from those sessions. While he credibly tackled oldies such as "Where the Old Red River Flows" and Jimmie Skinner's "Doin' My Time," Hartford's originals made the difference. "Don't Ever Take Your Eyes off the Game, Babe," "Howard Hughes Blues," and "Strange Old Man" were good enough for release at the time. His fearlessness even extended to such obvious duds as the inane pun ditty "Emanuel Cant" and the ponderous "Blame It on Joann." However, hearing a take of "Boogie," his famous guttural chant from <I>Aereo-Plain</I>, dissolve into coughing and laughter can't help but bring a smile. <I>--Rich Kienzle</I>