Following the success of a musical transcription book, John Hartford’s Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes, and the subsequent, star-studded album of some of those same songs, The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 1, the late patriarch of “Newgrass” music has had somewhat of a revival in the past few years. And with the help of John Hartford’s daughter, Katie Harford Hogue, the paddlewheel keeps churning with the upcoming release of Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 2. Again co-produced by Hogue, along with Sharon Gilchrist and Megan Lynch Chowning, Volume 2 celebrates some of the most beloved female artists in the Hartford-inspired bluegrass scene: Rachel Baiman, Phoebe Hunt, Ginger Boatwright, Brittany Haas, Deanie Richardson, Allison de Groot, Della Mae, The Price Sisters, Uncle Earl, and many more. Volume 2 contains thirteen new Hartford instrumental fiddle tunes and five “legacy” covers of beloved John Hartford songs, all of which take on new life under the hands—and voices—of some of the finest musicians around.
Today, the latest single from Volume 2, “Availability,” was released, just a week after the Bluegrass Hall of Fame’s John Hartford Days event. For those not lucky enough to attend the two-night event celebrating the music and legacy of John Hartford with Sam Bush Band, Alison Brown, and more, this latest release from Volume 2 will keep feet shuffling at homes or on the roads on both sides of the mighty Mississippi. Taken from the pages of John Hartford’s Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes—a story unto itself with more than a thousand original compositions discovered after Hartford died in 2001—this recording of “Availability” features Deanie Richardson on fiddle, Gena Britt on banjo, Mary Meyer on guitar, Rainy Miatke on mandolin, and Maddie Dalton on bass.
Fans can stream or purchase “Availability” today at this link, hear the project’s previously-released single, “Steam Powered Aereo Plane” here, and pre-order or pre-save Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 2 ahead of its February 28th release right here.
For fans who can’t get enough Hartford, the Hartford family has rallied their efforts around the Goodle Family Patreon page: a subscription-driven home base for all things John Hartford, whether it be archival releases, updates on the Fiddle Tune Project, or in-person/livestream fan meetups. This week’s Patreon exclusive is a free download of “Availability” ahead of the new album’s release.
For more information, please visit johnhartford.com.
Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 2 Tracklist:
Irish Familiarity
The Julia Belle Swain
Grant Marsh & Joseph La Barge/Little Pig/Entertainment Tonight (medley)
Spirit of the South
Availability
I’m Still Here
Kenny and Mac
Merry Christmas
Learning To Smile All Over Again
Royal Box Waltz
Takes Her Clothes Off
Gasoline Alley No. 1
No End of Love
Living Up Stairs
Not Soft Enough
Don’t Throw Her Down
Steam Powered Aereo Plane
Champagne Blues
More About John Hartford: One of the most respected musicians in Nashville history, John Hartford is considered a cornerstone of the newgrass movement due to his 1971 masterpiece, Aereo-Plain. He won a career four Grammy Awards, including two for his 1967 recording of “Gentle on My Mind,” a third for his 1976 album Mark Twang, and a fourth for his contributions to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack in 2000. He was posthumously inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2010, was awarded the Americana Music Association President’s Award in 2005, and the Folk Alliance “Spirit of Folk” award in 2011.
