tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662819879867914582.post5222748584788011354..comments2023-03-24T07:12:36.332-07:00Comments on weed, whites and wine: Of Canoes and Tall Buildings . . .the amBASSadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925784168853744045noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662819879867914582.post-16906981048430123242009-05-20T16:18:34.235-07:002009-05-20T16:18:34.235-07:00I saw John Hartford live but once, at the Great Am...I saw John Hartford live but once, at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, in the late 80s or early 90s, with the Dillards. I think they were touring in support of the album "Dillard, Hartford, and Dillard". What a great show and what a fabulous venue! We were about 15 feet from the stage. I read somewhere that one of the only things in the contract rider that John insisted on was a sheet of plywood for the stage. He danced and clogged and made the rhythm track for the performance, singing and/or fiddling and/or playing the guitar or banjo or whatever at the same time. Now that I think about it, he may have even traveled with a sheet of plywood instead. His stage presence was warm, unaffected, engaging, funny, musical, entertaining, and engaging (worth repeating). <br /> <br />I never heard him sing a song that I didn't fall in love with. Two of my favorites were "I Didn't Know the World Would Last This Long" and "I've Heard the Tear-Stained Monologue You Do There by the Door Before You Go". I listened to those on my stereo more times than I cold count or remember. As you seem to imply for your take on "Tall Buildings", I felt that those two songs were written to speak for me personally, with my early years of seemingly sad and unrequited love.<br /> <br />It was John, along with Pete and Mike Seeger, that inspired me to take up the 5 string banjo. I agree with your wish that he RIP, but the world was simply a better place for his having been in it, and my life stood a better chance of running long and prosperous because of his music. Thanks.David C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03175869358346680381noreply@blogger.com