John Hartford, Aereo-Plain
September 1971
John Hartford banjo, guitar, violin, vocals
Norman Blake – guitar, mandolin, vocals
Vassar Clements – violin, cello, viola, vocals
Tut Taylor – Dobro, vocals
Randy Scruggs – electric bass, vocals
Aereo-Plain Review by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Shortly after being released in 1971, Aereo-Plain achieved cult status. Hartford enlisted such Nashville notables as guitarist Norman Blake, dobro player Tut Taylor, violinist Vassar Clements, and bassist Randy Scruggs to help out in the studio. The cult following of Aereo-Plain though, has less to do with the music than with Hartford's quirky songs and even quirkier approach.
One of the attractions to this material is that Hartford seems to be in his element, just doing what comes natural to him... Aereo-Plain signaled the full blooming of his eccentric talent. This is an essential album for any fan, revealing both his genius and the glory days of early '70s progressive bluegrass.
