Customer Reviews

Annual Waltz

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I was thrilled to see John Hartford back in the spotlight in the wake of the success of the soundtrack to the film "O Brother Where Art Thou?" It's too bad he didn't live to enjoy those benefits. But that doesn't seem to have been the goal of Hartford's career. If success (eg., record sales, fame, wealth) were his goals, he could have capitalized on his authorship of "Gentle On My Mind" more than thirty years ago. Instead, he followed his own muse, which saw him create a catolog of eclectic albums for a variety of record labels.

This 1987 album originally released on Dot (a subsidiary of MCA) is a warm, personal album. Hartford wrote or co-wrote all but two tracks--"Gone, Gone, Gone" and "Short Life of Trouble." It's not a very long album (it clocks in at just under 30 minutes), but it is filled with heartfelt songs like "All In My Love For You," "Annual Waltz" and "Learning To Smile All Over Again." This album is sentimental without being sacharine and one of my favorite Hartford recordings. RECOMMENDED

John Hartford was always able to make be feel better. I pulled this album out shortly after his death and found that could not quit playing it. Lively tunes that are loaded with fiddles and harmonies, Hartford delivers on every tune. The instrumentals are tight and the songs have clever lyrics that seem to be thoughfully composed. Only a couple of songs seem like fillers and several are memorable. I found the cd in a bargain bin and played it for my son when he was small. Like all of John's work the cd provided phrases that we have bounced off each other for years. I was looking to buy a copy for my son. Too bad its unavailable, but many of his albums have been reissued. Someday maybe all of his work will be rereleased. If you find it in a bargain bin, buy it.

In 1987 the John Hartford and the missus were in perpetual touring mode. Had been for years. He had changed his show, and that year I saw him in a Solano Beach, CA theater with a couple hundred people, and it was just John, his stringed things, and The Board, his own miked invention, whereupon he shuffled and tapped to his solo tunes, which were usually along the lines of instrumental run/sing-speak/instrumental run, etc. He'd been doing this at Telluride for years, and on some records. "Annual Waltz" is a full-blown Hartford album, with crack sidemen, lots of playing, and seven originals which are less sarcastic and even less clever than we've gotten used to from Hartford. They are sentimental without the cheek-biting, and even beautiful, personal and with an almost gospel tint of truth to the singing. Hartford was with us for a while after this, but he didn't make anything better.

"Annual Waltz" is perhaps John Hartford's prettiest album, and features one of his most beautiful songs, "All in My Love for You," sure to put a smile on your face. On this album, produced by Jack Clement, Hartford employs twin fiddles on every song, giving the whole album a beautiful sound. Both of the instrumentals are wonderful, and "Annual Waltz" is another beautiful ballad.

This is a very short album, but one you will want to hear again and again. Although the double-violin sound is reminiscent of Bob Wills, this album most reminded me of Dylan's "Nashville Skyline" - both feature short, simple songs and instrumentals. Of course, this album is purer country and Hartford's songwriting style is quite distinct form Dylan's. Although this album is more commercial than most of Hartford's efforts, it is still very rooted music and Hartford's musical talents shine through on every track.