It’s been twenty-three years since Bluegrass and Americana artist John Hartford passed, and in the past few years, Hartford’s daughter, Katie Harford Hogue, and fiddle great Matt Combs have compiled a never-before-seen collection of unrecorded music in a book called John Hartford’s Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes which quickly turned into an album, The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 1. 

Now, they have also announced 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.

Vickie Vaughn of Della Mae says:

The feeling of working on an all-female project is unparalleled. It felt powerful and developed a real sense of togetherness and community. 

Volume 2 contains thirteen new Hartford instrumental fiddle tunes and five “legacy” covers of John Hartford songs. With the announcement of Volume 2, the song “Steam Powered Aereo Plane,” has been released.

Fronted by Country vocalist Kathy Mattea, “Steam Powered Aereo Plane” also features Alison Brown, who produced the single, and leads into the first verse on banjo accompanied by Sierra Hull on guitar. Gradually Missy Raines brings in the bass and Larkin Poe’s Megan Lovell and the latest Punch Brothers band member Brittany Haas add their dobro and fiddle, respectively.

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.

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