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In addition to his musical virtuosity, John Hartford was a sly, well-read humorist and a brilliant story-teller. His ability to combine word-play and music may be his greatest contribution to American music. This record showcases that part of his gift perfectly. Norman Blake's guitar and mandolin work are powerful and perfect additions, Dave Holland's solid thoughtful bass-lines hold it all together. The only thing that would have made this record better would have been MORE Vassar Clements, but we will take what we can get and relish every phrase.
I think it was on the jacket from one of his early albums, John wrote "Why don't we all just hold hands and stare off into space". Several years after writing THAT, he created this album... which would serve as an adequate soundtrack for the earlier suggestion. Released on Warner Brothers in 1972, one year after AEREO PLAIN, this bare bones album is a laid back (not to be confused with `slow-moving') affair, dripping with wit, sarcasm and dark humor from John's fertile and twisted imagination. The liner notes explain that the musicians sat in a circle to record and that many of the songs were completed in one take. The accompaniment by Norman Blake and Dave Holland weaves deftly around John's banjo (and occasional fiddle). Subtle, integrated, enhancing but never overpowering... the music flows. John is in peak form here. It's difficult for me to pick favorites.... they're all good... from the "success is just a mess of `overdues' " sentiment in "Howard Hughes Blues" to "Old Joe Clark", an ode to an opportunistic preacher, with it's "you can be down there when the glory rolls" catch phrase. Produced by John Simon (who wrote the liner notes and, uh, held the microphone, right?) at Bearsville Sound (Woodstock, NY) which had just opened for business in 1970, the album isn't exactly devoid of the spirit of the festival that took place near there three years prior.
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2005
I love this album... I bought Aereoplain first, after many recommendations. But when I heard the interview with Pete Wernick commenting on how he was turned on to Hartford when he heard Bye Bye playing in a record store, I thought I'd better get Morning Bugle. It has turned out to be my favorite Hartford album, and I own about 6 of them. I do like Aereoplain, followed by Mark Twang and Earthwords but MB is my favorite. I hope you'll buy it, and have a good time trying to count along with "On The Road" in 5/4 time, or figuring out what a Whirly Pig is. Ha!
John Hartford was the author of "Gentle on My Mind," one of the most recorded and lucrative songs ever written. His lyrics are multidimensionally compelling. Intellectual, anti-intellectual, funny, serious, lucid, always lyrical. His work ranks equal to Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Phil Ochs, in short, the best of the best. Why this recording, made at the zenith of his career, is not available is a mystery. Not available at Rhapsody, Emusic, Itunes...what the hell is going on???????
This album and it's slightly edgier companion piece "Aero-Plain" are now bits of Americana in their own right. A wry, skeptical take on modernization, the decay of tradition, and the values of the counterculture. Not to mention beautiful playing by a peerless group of musicians. Some songs on this album, such as the funny and accurate "Old Joe Clark" and the mournful "Nobody Eats at Linebaughs Anymore" are instantly approachable. Others, like "Streetcar" and "Got No Place to Go" require you to seriously downshift to a more relaxed pace -- a pace that's all but gone away in 21st-century America. And that funny smell? It could be burning rope. But then again, maybe not. Probably my favorite Hartford album.
This is a brilliant album from one of Hartford's best periods -- right up there with "Aereo-plain!" I have personal memories of listening to this album when it came out........but when I finally got it on CD, I found that the music was, if possible, even better than I remembered. Highly recommended.
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