Album: Natural to Be Gone

Introduction
"Natural to Be Gone", launched in 2002, is a posthumous album by the late American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Hartford. Known for his eclecticism and development, Hartford constantly pressed the limits of folk, bluegrass, and c and w throughout his profession. This specific album, which boasts a running time of over 65 minutes, stands as a testimony to Hartford's distinctively varied noise and compositional expertise, featuring a variety of instruments and styles that draw from and notify different elements of American music custom.

Background and Production
John Hartford died in 2001, with "Natural to Be Gone" being assembled and launched in the list below year. As a tribute to his remarkable body of work, different partners and artists intimately associated with his career came together to make the record. It includes a mix of live recordings, outtakes and previously unreleased tracks from various ages of Hartford's storied profession. Several tracks are alternate versions of widely known tunes, providing a glance into Hartford's creative process and the evolution of his music.

A lot of the tunes on this album exist with very little additional production, showcasing Hartford's extraordinary capabilities as a musician, songwriter, and storyteller. A number of tracks feature Hartford's signature banjo playing, while others incorporate the fiddle, guitar, and even tips of jazz piano. The outcome is a varied and fascinating exercise in collaboration, imagination, and novelty that posthumously celebrates the life and music of among America's most beloved songwriters.

Album Highlights
"Natural to Be Gone" opens with its eponymous track, a banjo-driven tune that acts as a fitting introduction to the album's themes of exploration and change. Hartford's unique voice, integrating down-home warmth with a hint of melancholy, brings this song and lots of others throughout the record.

The second track on the album, "On the Road", showcases Hartford's ability to compose memorable, unforgettable melodies accompanied by extensive lyrics that talk to the universal human experience. Featuring a chorus that almost demands a sing-along, the tune is a perfect representation of Hartford's exceptional capability to reach audiences with easy yet profound tunes.

Other standout songs on the album include "Candles in the Rain", a tender, introspective ballad with a stunning string arrangement, and "Plain Brown Wrapper", a bluegrass-infused instrumental showcasing Hartford's remarkable talent as an artist. Also notable is "Benediction", a formerly unreleased instrumental number that closes the album, painting a brilliant acoustic image of Hartford's gentle spirit and musical genius.

Tradition and Impact
"Natural to Be Gone" serves as a fitting homage to the life and work of John Hartford. The album's varied variety of music and the extraordinary range of themes, styles, and emotions contained within show just how important Hartford's influence is on the landscape of American roots music. Those who are familiar with Hartford's earlier versions, such as his deal with Aereo-Plain and Morning Bugle, will appreciate the depth of his artistry displayed on this record.

For more recent listeners, "Natural to Be Gone" serves as a comprehensive introduction to an artist whose effect is still being felt today by generations of artists and fans. Hartford's music sustains, and "Natural to Be Gone" stands as a testament to his status as a real American original.