I went to a craft fair in West Virginia in 1982 to see John Hartford, his banjo and his micced wooden plank based on my love of Aereoplane. Oddly, everyone else was too interested in the crafts, so I was essentially a one person audience. He did about 15 numbers, including this one. When we made eye contact I just kinda grinned at him, but was afraid to go talk to him. An amazing performer.
Between 1971 and 1979 my dad and I listened to John's 'John Hartford Looks at Life' every Saturday morning. That album and his words define who I am. When dad passed in 2009, I did 'Today' in his honor on at his service on a Saturday morning on the banjo. John's music has been a wonderful part of my life and my life with my dad.
Just a man with his two feet, a banjo, and a simple song. That simple song went on to be one of the most covered recordings in the entire world. The song rings true in so many languages.
The most precious part of John was that he wanted to become part of you rather than take a part of you. He shared and uplifted with all he played with and played for. Such a blessed man, and I am thankful for the threads of colour his music continues to spread throughout life.
Honey, when you go to Heaven, it will be your idea of what Heaven should be. That's why it's called Heaven. Have faith, do your best to get thru this Earth experience, and when it's over, you will go to your Heaven. Have faith. It's very tough here, but Heaven is MORE REAL ♥️♥️♥️♥️
That is the best live version. He's doing sort of bluegrass in a disco venue and has the crowd right where he wants them . The man was a master of his craft. He was a true entertainer.
I think because it has been played so often, covered by so many artists, that we sometimes forget what a beautiful song this is. "That you're moving on the back roads by the rivers of my memory And for hours you're just gentle on my mind"
It makes me so sad that this man died so young. He had so much to offer to mankind. Could watch his videos all day long. Glen Campbell as well. Greatest song lyrics of all time, in my opinion.
What a song. One of the finest ever written. Lyrics that have touched millions, and music that I have never tired of in the 40+ years since I first heard this song. God bless John Hartford for his gifts to us all, and Glen Campbell for making this song famous.
John did this performance at a street festival in Asheville, NC in the 70s. He came out into the audience with a wireless mic during the song and mingled with the crowd. Wonderful talent, wonderful memories.
"I still might run in silence, Tears of joy might stain my face, And the summer sun might burn me 'til I'm blind ..." This song cuts all the way to the ecstasy in every moment, not easy in the world of Top 40.
there's something about hypnotic about this performance; i feel as if i'm in a trance. i love glen's version and his live versions with his virtuosic soloing, but this is certainly the best performance of this song.
Joseph Kenny I agree with that. This song has stayed with me for decades. I bet that this song has been on my mind at least once a week since I first heard it.
I LOVE this song. To be the sort of person who inspires such a love song...a much missed man...terrific musician...Namaste from Canada ( I put on my bowler hat and sing it out when I feel blue!)
Saw him at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach in the 70's. He was so talented and switched from the banjo to the violin all the time making rhythm with his feet. I never forgot the impact of seeing such musical magician.
That's great! I heard about John Hartford in a class I was talking in the history of country music. I bought his album Aero-Plain after hearing it played in class. Anyone have any favorite albums of his?
I first heard him in the long ago of my youth, about 73 or 74. My cousin was learning banjo and I wanted to learn fiddle and to clog like Hartford. He made it look so easy. Watching / listening to him here is like slipping on an old, and very comfortable pair of shoes.
It's quite something that he's singing, playing and tapping, simultaneously. Very impressive and a simply stunningly good song! It holds a very special place in my own memory.
I saw him at The Main in Evanston, IL around 1979-80, and will never forget it. Same kind of small venue, we could sit wherever we wanted (mostly on the floor), and he had a board under his feet to tap on, which was all he needed. He was one of the greats.
Sadly I wasn't exposed to his music until after his death, but wouldn't have liked this sort of music when I was younger. It's ironic how our musical tastes can broaden when we age.
How I miss this. How I miss seeing him at his dining table overlooking the river, just fiddling and tapping away. He would stare into my eyes the entire time. I still wonder what he was trying to tell me. I was so young but I still understood there was something happening. Anyways, I love this video and this performance. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for uploading this. But really, the best version of this song was in the band setting from his All in The Name of Love album. Benny Martin's rambling fiddle intro, John's singing uptempo. I've heard John do this song many times, but that is the best. Benny Martin was an influence on John when he played with Earl Scruggs.
Just discovered he had died when investigating Vasser Clements. I sometimes wondered what had happened to him. But it makes sense. A guy with his talent would still be in the public eye if he were living!
John ,is not just singing an incredible lyric which is not easy . Playin that Banjo and percussion w/ feet ,heels and toe. Try this today if You can find the one.
Ya, very sad that most people think Glen Campbell wrote this ......Just to be clear he did not . This wonderful song was written by John Harford ......I can't believe the number of posting of this song that DO NOT give John Hartford credit ........
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I went to a craft fair in West Virginia in 1982 to see John Hartford, his banjo and his micced wooden plank based on my love of Aereoplane. Oddly, everyone else was too interested in the crafts, so I was essentially a one person audience. He did about 15 numbers, including this one. When we made eye contact I just kinda grinned at him, but was afraid to go talk to him. An amazing performer.
gordeaux d lucky you.
I would give thousands to have been in your shoes that day.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is probably one of the greatest songs of all time.
Great poetry!
@@jeffreyfarmer8030 p
Indeed.
one of?
don't ever stop saying it, it is the greatest song of all time
I think the fact that his performance could captivate a disco era audience speaks volumes about the timeless value of his song.
They seem more puzzled than captivated.
@@fmfetish. . . That is why ‘puzzeled’ young people are clapping along in time - and stomp their appreciation alongside their enthusiastic applause.
It's got a dance beat! It's like banjo club music haha. I just saw this on instagram the other night and now I'm in love with this guy.
This ain't disco and he ain't Travolta. I hope they walked out of there thinking "Damn, that was cool." Because it was.
I like the quote of John saying that "he really wanted to be a river boat captain, but music got in the way."
Yet it was the never ending money he earned from this song that allowed him to become a riverboat captain and live his dream.
Well, he WAS a river boat captain!
Between 1971 and 1979 my dad and I listened to John's
'John Hartford Looks at Life' every Saturday morning. That album and his words define who I am.
When dad passed in 2009, I did 'Today' in his honor on at his service on a Saturday morning on the banjo. John's music has been a wonderful part of my life and my life with my dad.
Just a man with his two feet, a banjo, and a simple song.
That simple song went on to be one of the most covered recordings in the entire world. The song rings true in so many languages.
The most precious part of John was that he wanted to become part of you rather than take a part of you. He shared and uplifted with all he played with and played for. Such a blessed man, and I am thankful for the threads of colour his music continues to spread throughout life.
There's something very poetic and dream like to me about this performance.He's like a character out of a book of American folktales.
bluesborn I’ve always felt the same way.
Hauntingly beautiful stuff.
Agree I could easily see him sitting at a table swapping colorful stories with Mark Twain or Will Rogers.
a beutiful song but that tap dancin is a hoot. like goin to a job interview an stat fartin.
No-one sings this song like John Hartford. So pure!
Highly under rated artist! RIP John!
Yes, very impressive
The complexity of it all: the banjo playing, foot percussion, dense lyrics...
This man, this music, lyrics you can understand and that make sense...with "disco" on the wall...just freaking great.
Some folks can sing,some can sing and play the banjo.This man does them both and adds in the fancy footwork.Awesome performance! RIP John.
I have a small ach in my stomach when I watch this and remember John is no longer with us. I take consolation in his music and videos such as this.
I think his song will live on for many ages.
Honey, when you go to Heaven, it will be your idea of what Heaven should be. That's why it's called Heaven. Have faith, do your best to get thru this Earth experience, and when it's over, you will go to your Heaven. Have faith. It's very tough here, but Heaven is MORE REAL ♥️♥️♥️♥️
I'm 83 and still enjoy J.H. as much as I did back in the early days.......
That is the best live version. He's doing sort of bluegrass in a disco venue and has the crowd right where he wants them . The man was a master of his craft. He was a true entertainer.
Cloggin' to his OWN song! AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL!
One of the best songs ever. Aretha loved this song.
I think because it has been played so often, covered by so many artists, that we sometimes forget what a beautiful song this is.
"That you're moving on the back roads
by the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind"
It's such beautiful poetry.
John was a musicians musician, a songwriters songwriter. We all know how great he was. RIP John
It makes me so sad that this man died so young.
He had so much to offer to mankind.
Could watch his videos all day long.
Glen Campbell as well.
Greatest song lyrics of all time, in my opinion.
What a song. One of the finest ever written. Lyrics that have touched millions, and music that I have never tired of in the 40+ years since I first heard this song. God bless John Hartford for his gifts to us all, and Glen Campbell for making this song famous.
This is hypnotic.
John did this performance at a street festival in Asheville, NC in the 70s. He came out into the audience with a wireless mic during the song and mingled with the crowd. Wonderful talent, wonderful memories.
"I still might run in silence,
Tears of joy might stain my face,
And the summer sun might burn me 'til I'm blind ..."
This song cuts all the way to the ecstasy in every moment, not easy in the world of Top 40.
yeah, that's the best part, for sure, right?
A wonderful memory of a truly talented man.
there's something about hypnotic about this performance; i feel as if i'm in a trance. i love glen's version and his live versions with his virtuosic soloing, but this is certainly the best performance of this song.
The song that never needed a chorus. Truly remarkable and unique. Strikes images of emotive memories at every turn
Fantastic . Timeless and wonderful .
what an amazing musician!
I love that we can hear his foot keeping time.
Wow. Special and exceptional song, writer, singer and performance.
Ronnie McCoury called this "the greatest song ever written in the history of written music." RIP, John, we miss you so much.
It is a great song that sticks in my mind. I also love "Riding on the City of New Orleans" as a song from that period.
Joseph Kenny I agree with that.
This song has stayed with me for decades.
I bet that this song has been on my mind at least once a week since I first heard it.
@@majorbarbara1 You have good taste!
I LOVE this song. To be the sort of person who inspires such a love song...a much missed man...terrific musician...Namaste from Canada ( I put on my bowler hat and sing it out when I feel blue!)
Saw him at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach in the 70's. He was so talented and switched from the banjo to the violin all the time making rhythm with his feet. I never forgot the impact of seeing such musical magician.
+Margaret Humphreys heard him at Pete Seeger concert in Nyack, NY and again at Red Rooster in Nanuet, NY. He was do great.
Margaret Humphreys Yes
That's great! I heard about John Hartford in a class I was talking in the history of country music. I bought his album Aero-Plain after hearing it played in class. Anyone have any favorite albums of his?
He was a musical genius. They don't make them like this anymore.
+Madamsfl I agree.
I first heard him in the long ago of my youth, about 73 or 74. My cousin was learning banjo and I wanted to learn fiddle and to clog like Hartford. He made it look so easy. Watching / listening to him here is like slipping on an old, and very comfortable pair of shoes.
If I could like a hundred times, I would.
Had the pleasure of seeing and listening to him at a concert back in the early 80s in Telluride. Great talent.
An awesome American Songwriter and Performer! Always and Forever!
Perfect all-in-one.Poet, song writer, composer, player, tap dancer and ever gentle on our minds.
Introduced to me by Glenn in my youth... love it forever in appreciation of the genius John. Thank you!
Pure poetry! Love this version!
Great lyrics, musicianship, what's not to like. Man is a giant!
One of a kind. Much missed.
The Best. I saw him do this exact performance in Bozeman with an unknown comedian named Steve Martin.
Check out some of Steve's songs such as Pretty Little One with the Steep Canyon Rangers. Just perfect.
The direct gaze at the camera (1:48) for an extended time...... the man is fearless you can see it in the eyes.
I think he just knows in his heart that he is better than everyone else (but will not brag about it.)
Saw him with the Earl Scruggs Review in Knoxville around 1972. Great performer, artist and song writer.
I am green with envy that you saw JH that long ago. What a genius; anyone who loves Americana music owes him a lot.
A great song and wonderful performance by a legend.
Rick
Tucson
+azcharlie2009 SO SORRY OF HIS DEATH.
Amen.
He was an amazing solo act
It's quite something that he's singing, playing and tapping, simultaneously. Very impressive and a simply stunningly good song! It holds a very special place in my own memory.
Every time I saw him it was pure magic..
The magic is in the music as sung by it's creator. "AWESOME AS ALWAYS"
Well said
I've never seen this before, what a performance!! One of the truly great songs of all time. How old was John when this was shot?
What a great performance and a lovely song.
Wonderful, saw him several times at Merlefest and sure miss him.
Fancy footwork at 1:40 !
I saw him at The Main in Evanston, IL around 1979-80, and will never forget it. Same kind of small venue, we could sit wherever we wanted (mostly on the floor), and he had a board under his feet to tap on, which was all he needed. He was one of the greats.
Betsy Moran “you a a very lucky woman.”
Wish I was there.
Thanks for sharing this rare recording of the songwriter performing his own song.
I miss your music every day.
No easy task to tap his feet like that and play and sing at the same time.
And he's chewing gum.
Sweet memories of seeing him perform live several times. I loved John.💛
He was a wonderful song writer.
Sadly I wasn't exposed to his music until after his death, but wouldn't have liked this sort of music when I was younger. It's ironic how our musical tastes can broaden when we age.
STILL miss this man and his music.
Yep, his best version.
How I miss this. How I miss seeing him at his dining table overlooking the river, just fiddling and tapping away. He would stare into my eyes the entire time. I still wonder what he was trying to tell me. I was so young but I still understood there was something happening. Anyways, I love this video and this performance. Thanks for posting!
He was probably trying to tell you ... he'd like to get to know you better...
Such a beautiful song.
Guy plays the banjo, sing and doing tap dancing like it was nothing. Amazing!
John Hartford is Great!!! He put Glen Campbell on the map.
Great stuff!!
Love this.
That's almost the same voice like Campbell's. I have no words to comment on such a great performance in live solo with just a banjo.
Very Very GOOD.
very talented man.
Would like to know more about a
John Hartfotd! RIP!
Thanks for uploading this. But really, the best version of this song was in the band setting from his All in The Name of Love album. Benny Martin's rambling fiddle intro, John's singing uptempo. I've heard John do this song many times, but that is the best. Benny Martin was an influence on John when he played with Earl Scruggs.
Magical!!!
Love always, brother. continued always and forever.
weird to see the 'disco' sign on the wall....Great job John!!
This is Americana. Memorizing
Just discovered he had died when investigating Vasser Clements. I sometimes wondered what had happened to him. But it makes sense. A guy with his talent would still be in the public eye if he were living!
+bikeboatski I am so sorry to hear of his death.
I saw john in 1978 in lafayette in I'll never be the same I miss him
Fabulous lyricist!
Come join us at the John Hartford Memorial Festival May 31-Jun 2, 2012 at Bean Blossom, Indiana to celebrate John life & his music.
Beautiful performance. Elvis recorded this song aswel, just as wonderful.
John ,is not just singing an incredible lyric which is not easy . Playin that Banjo and percussion w/ feet ,heels and toe. Try this today if You can find the one.
'Nobody here can dance like me, everybody clappin' on the one and the three'
What a Jewell!!!
Something very special
Wow!
Ya, very sad that most people think Glen Campbell wrote this ......Just to be clear he did not . This wonderful song was written by John Harford ......I can't believe the number of posting of this song that DO NOT give John Hartford credit ........
This is from the very popular german TV Show DISCO, hosted by strange Ilja Richter.
Danke
No one but john can do this
This is DISCO baby!
AWesome
John is right this is a Bluegrass song and not Pop.After all he wrote this ,so he should know.
Fantastisch.
I can understand now why Glen Campbell wanted this song.
Took a helluva man to pick and dance without skipping a beat.
Super