John Hartford - Old Time River Man

Fabulous version of a great song.
Don't know the time or place. Possibly at his home on the Cumberland river Nashville, since it appears to have been filmed without an audience present.
John was a multiple Grammy winner, played banjo, fiddle & guitar, and was a prolific songwriter and a registered steam powered riverboat pilot.

[@drm9889]

When I wanna feel comforted, I listen to music. And this is one of my favorites so un-orchestrated and just from the heart.

[@mainer98]

Knowing his eventual fate, and the fine human he was, this beautiful song makes me feel very melancholy. Thank you, John, for your music and for being the inspiration you were and continue to be.

[@estelleevert6734]

Beautifully, John wrote and sang his own eulogy. What a genius, major talent, and painfully missed.

[@dancochrane617]

Thanks. This guy was just brilliant. He could sing, playing multiple instruments and come up with beautiful songs. Amazing talent

[@gregorysulliavn2353]

thanks for the opportunity to enjoy a poet's timeless quality.

[@JoshInTuolco]

I’ve watched this 4 times consecutively. There’s at least 4 times on the way. What a great musician, and a great song.

[@vmguy1]

Perfect venue to see John sing this wonderful tune! I kept waiting to see a riverboat slowly sliding past in the background. RIP, Captain! Thanks for those beautiful tunes, and the memories of the good ol' days.

[@therealchadshow]

I use to be a river man, still is at heart.

[@phishhead115]

I lost this clip forever too and was so sad.... This is such a perfect representation of the man and his music... Thanks for posting this gem again!!!

[@laChabela42]

I saw John Hartford in concert at the Paul Green Theatre in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in the 1990's and he played banjo, fiddle, guitar and ALSO THE WASHBOARD he played with his FEET while playing the other instruments. He was amazing. I always treasure having seeing him in concert. I also went to see Doc Watson months later in the same theatre.

[@FKehl]

I saw the same performers in Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana a few years earlier... glad i was alive then!

[@cliffsandifer3877]

wonderful God bless this treasure of a man he didn't try to sound like anyone

[@MrJbaker7]

What a wonderful individual style John had. He also had his own banjo necks made a fret higher to get that lower tuning he liked...I still miss John coming to NYC...Jack Baker

[@treywest268]

I miss him him so much.

[@therealchadshow]

The song is deep in my heart

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Thanks for contributing this.

[@zkafel]

I saw Mr. Hartford at the Philadelphia folk fest in 2000 (or 2001?)...not too long before he passed away... One of the best performances I've ever been to. He played a song "watching the river roll by" can't find it anywhere

[@Dix424USA4]

+Zach Kafel I missed his show in Philly. He's always been a fav artist. GB his soul

[@reywilliamr]

for my old friend capt fred way and capt charles ritts-may the river always flow in your soul-never tie her up-wm reynolds chief eng.

[@STP19]

Thank you for putting this up. Lets hope it never disappears again from UA-cam. STP

[@mikeabb]

I believe this clip came from the local tennesse pbs crew as the did a piece on the cumberland river -- very grateful for this to have been recorded -- John is a true legend of music and american culture -- time took him to soon but I guess that big river in the sky needed another pilot

[@macditty]

mike abb the original video states that this was recorded at Tall Stacks in Cincinnati, either 1992 or 1996

[@bennyblanko3]

I've been looking for this for a long time ... Thanks!!!

[@turningpointtunes]

also on "Down on the River" "I Wish We Had Our Time Again", Johnnie

[@pingletoe]

fabulous. Post-1992 is my guess, given the 'achy-breaky heart' reference at the end.

[@JJJZANESVILLE2]

ahhh, John. I really don't and didn't know anything about you, whether you were a decent human bean...or not...but I enjoyed your picking and singing. I enjoyed your music and your dedication to it and its roots. Thank you, dead man.

[@vmguy1]

Definitely a decent human being. You can read about him by googling his name. Then maybe pick up some of his gorgeous old tunes!

[@Dix424USA4]

Tyvm Hippity Hop for posting this awesome video and song.

[@leonhsiung1951]

RIP John

[@pellegrinobaldassarre4610]

Eccezionale banjoista

[@ezirnheld]

Jamie Hartford does a fabulous version of this song on his album "Part of Your History." Check it out; your soul will thank you.

[@derekanjo]

This was from a piece a reporter did. It's from the Tall Stacks Festival in Cincinnati, OH.

[@niko_gotchalasanga1098]

Sure do miss tall stacks ... that's my first memory of john.

[@macditty]

Mike Leonard I think. It used to be tagged at the beginning of the video.

[@kurtb8474]

Is there a clearer copy of this video anywhere?