Customer Reviews

Mark Twang

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4 star:		(2)
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John Hartford might fairly be said to have originated the Americana/Newgrass branch of Contemporary American Music. Mark Twang begins a staggeringly inventive and personal run of recordings John made for the Flying Fish label, using minimal instrumentation and maximum instrumental and verbal creativity. John's inimitable banjo style is featured on this recording, and his lyric gift is in full flower, brilliantly commenting on life on the Mississippi river, and various artistic and romantic issues.There are songs on this record which I will always remember, and which have influenced countless acoustic string performers--whether they know it or not!

John Hartford passed away two days ago after a long battle with cancer. He was an American original, a great writer, musician, humorist, and archivist. I've owned "Mark Twang" for over 20 years and among all the folk and bluegrass records I have it still stands out as one of the most unique and a great favorite. John playing fiddle, John playing banjo, often while clogging to the rhythm--it is as close as you will come to having somebody play in your house. That was, I think, an essential virtue of his music and why I believe you could learn a lot about American folk music by listening to this album. If the news of John Hartford's passing has compelled you to seek out his recordings, then I believe that you will find yourself richly rewarded for discovering this one.

This album, yes then it was on vinyl, won the grammy for best folk album that year. It was 1976. America was celebrating its 200th birthday. The performance resembles a live radio show format. John wanted it that way. Technically, the sound quality is great and it translated well to CD. John's voice has a very full sound, I feel, better than his later solo albums. The percussion of his foot shuffles and tapping is great. Turn up the volume. The sound engineers captured the percussive sound of John's trademark low tuned banjo.
"Don't leave your records in the sun", now on its own is nostalgic. It is just as nostalgic as the album itself. It is ironic that just as John was looking back on the Mississippi steamboat history, I'm looking back fondly at a great performance that has, in itself, become part of live acoustic music history.

This 1976 album by the legendary John Hartford is among one of the top five CDs in the CD player. This album is fun to listen to, and it resembles a radio show, but I think that is what John was going for. This album features John in a solo setting playing all the instruments. Classic stuff.

Definitely characterizes hartford's more creative and abstract side. Somewhat more of a novelty though. It's enjoyable if youre really into his strange side.

This is a great album, though not without some low spots. The "Riverboat" songs are wonderful songs by someone who clearly knows his subject. The recording is sparse, just vocal, John's banjo, fiddel or guitar, and a foot stomp for rhythm. All one take, and not perfect techicaly, but infused with an honesty and spirit that is rare. This record has a very intimate feel. Some of the "novelty" songs detract, but they're also typical J.H. You can marvel at Hartford's vocal excursions on "little cabin doh-wah" or "trying to get your attention", but I can't say I like them so much. But this is definitly a solid effort by a great performer

The best album of one of the finest folk/bluegrass talents that ever was. If you only own one John Hartford album own this one. Singer, songwriter, banjo and fiddle virtuouso, humorist, he is greatly missed but greatly appreciated. A musician's musician.