Aereo-Plain Re-released on CD

Aereo-Plain Re-released on CD, Finally!

On September 9th, Rounder Records will re-release one of John Hartford's most popular albums, Aereo-Plain. The CD will be available through Rounder's usual channels, as well as directly from John Hartford Music. The updated liner notes are below:

I had made an album for RCA called Radio John where we just went in and did it and didn't listen to playbacks until we'd done all the pickin'. So when we organized the Aereoplane Band (Dobrolic Plectral Society) I decided we should do it the same way. I asked David Bromberg to produce it `cause I figured he would bring a sense of taste to it that we were incapable of. He was from New York and very sophisticated. I told him I wanted for him to keep us in the studio until he got what he needed and that we were not to hear any of it until it was mastered. In a way this was a resonance of the way the band was arranged. I had laid down certain rules - anyone could play anything or any lick at any time irregardless of whether they knew it or not - or they could lay out -that was their perogative - we did not ever discuss arrangements and the only requirement for a song or tune to be in our repertoire was for one member of the band to be able to perform it all the way through. Sometimes we would back out for solos and sometimes we would all play emsemble, staying out of each other's way. A tune would start and I would stand there and then I would look down and discover my hands busy at the music and that I was just two eyeballs floating in it.

John Hartford, 1996

I first heard the Aereo-Plain Band at Bill Monroe's Beanblossom Festival in 1971. Their leader - long haired, bushy bearded, banjo playing John Hartford - had recently scored notoriety, having written "Gentle On My Mind," the most recorded song in years. On guitar was Norman Blake, legendary Dobro and mandolin master who had recently been a regular back-up musician on the Johnny Cash TV show. On Dobro was Tut Taylor, the leading single exponent of the flat picked Dobro and founder of the Dobrolic Plectral Society. Playing fiddle was the renowned Vassar Clements whom all us young bluegrassers had followed since his days as a young member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys and Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys. The music I heard that weekend was innovative and original, with obvious bluegrass influences - some may call it newgrass. I call it a mind blowing musical experience that left me wondering what could possibly top this show. Well, the release of Aereo-Plain was the capper for me. Producer David Bromberg basically just turned on the recording machines and the band proceeded to play, without even listening to play-backs. All of us acoustic music freaks found an undeniable joyful noise. This recording has it all - commanding musicianship, creative songs and just a great feel! Songs such as "Steam Powered Aereo Plane," "Vamp in the Middle," and "Symphony Hall Rag," feature the band doing what it did best - jamming. "Up on the Hill Where They Do the Boogie" and "First Girl I Loved" treat us to Norman's tasteful mandolin and John's underrated guitar playing. There is even an unexpected gospel quartet. Not to be overlooked is the surprise of Randy Scruggs on electric bass. Best known as a lead guitarist, Randy understands the roll of the bass, making the perfect addition to the quartet for this recording. Aereo-Plain was first released over 25 years ago and without a doubt truly stands the test of time. I keep rediscovering this record and it just keeps getting better. John, Norman, Vassar and Tut carry us back to a time when there were no music videos, only two bluegrass magazines, and musicians were breaking boundaries. Aereo-Plain was just for the love of the music - Back in the Goodle Days.

Sam Bush

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