Gentle on my Mind - John Hartford

[tonepoet]

A song most of the general public may have heard at one time, but probably not by the song's writer John Hartford. Here he is singing it with Glen Campbell when he was the banjo picker on the Glen Campbell Show on TV.

It is just one of those story-songs that was written so well. Enjoy!

 

[tonepoet]

From my favorite John Hartford album "Mark Twang" is this song "Skippin' in the Mississippi Dew" with Hartford playing fiddle. He was doing his percussion then by tap-dancing on a board as he played and sang.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Cool story behind this song too:

In 1966, John Hartford was living with his wife and son in a trailer in Nashville, Tennessee. One night, the couple saw the film Doctor Zhivago at a local theater. Inspired by the love story depicted in the film between Yuri Zhivago and Lara Antipova, Hartford returned home and composed "Gentle on my Mind" in between 20 and 30 minutes. The story of the song narrates the reminiscences of a drifter of his lost love, while moving through backroads and hobo encampments.

 

[tonepoet]

This live performance shows him doing the tap-dancing while playing and singing.

 

[hansmoust]

Since this is LTG I feel like I should post this one in which John is playing his Guild F-44:



Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Westerly Wood]

Since this is LTG I feel like I should post this one in which John is playing his Guild F-44:



Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

He is kind of like a jovial Townes Van Zandt.

 

[tonepoet]

Since this is LTG I feel like I should post this one in which John is playing his Guild F-44:



Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

I've loved that tune since I first heard it in my early 20s and it means more to me now that I'm retired. Thanks for posting that Hans.

Hartford was one of those people who seemed to be able to pick up any instrument and play it well.

 

[tonepoet]

Another of my faves from the "Mark Twang" album. The tune "Let Him Go On Mama"

 

[Boomstick]

I have actually got to see John Hartford live back in the 90s. And of course I’m familiar with Glen Campbell’s cover as well - now that guy sure can play!

 

[tonepoet]

I have actually got to see John Hartford live back in the 90s.

Lucky !!! As many albums as I have of his, I never got to see him live.

 

[5thumbs]

He was a seriously clever writer:

Mother Nature's got gas, her diet's gone stale
See her acid indigestion on the Richter scale