Circles around Me, the Storyman

[Maple Al]

While getting new tires for the trip to Telluride I figured it was time to write about Sam Bush at the John Hartford Memorial. It seems like the first thing that I usually do after seeing Sam is to call my buddy Dancin'Dave and say that was the best Sam Bush show ever. Sunday was no different, that was the best show ever and I have seen the King over 200 times. The last time Sam played the Bill Monroe music park was 45 years ago that week, also it was the first time he saw John Hartford play with the Aeroplane band. And being 15 years to the day after John's passing. So you know that Sam was inspired. And to be able to see the band upclose is always a treat. Sam started the day with a nice workshop set with Steven and Drew Emmitt and also came out for most of Leftover Salmon's set and the all star jam to end the night. It was 40 years ago this summer that I first saw Sam play with the New Grass Revival. Now as I start packing for my 29th trip out to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival the two sets that I most look forward to are Saturday night. And even better news is that the new Sam Bush album "Storyman" is due out June 24. Looking forward to having way too much fun again the next couple of weeks.

 Listening to: Sam Bush at the JHMF

[Bevin]

Thanks for the review, Al.  Can't wait to see Sammy under the almost-full moon on that beautiful new stage!

[Maple Al]

Sam was saying that when he first played the Bill Monroe mp with the Bluegrass Alliance he thought that they were pretty far out with hippie songs like "One Tin Soldier" but then saw Hartford and the Aeroplane Band and realized that they were tame in comparison. One of the best parts of this festival was during the Allstar jam and my friend Colin O'Brien playing the Hartford banjo part during "Gentle on my Mind" is able to go "Sammy Bush" just like on John's original version.