The Speed of the Old Long Bow


The Speed of the Old Long Bow is an album by John Hartford of traditional American fiddle music, released in 1998. It is a tribute to the legendary Kentucky/West Virginia old-time fiddler Blind Ed Haley.

Reception

In his review for AllMusic, critic Steve Leggett wrote "Hartford quite wisely doesn't try to replicate Haley's takes, but instead interprets them, and the result is pure loose-jointed fun. Everything here is like a patch in a quilt, and the trademark Hartford wit, joy and energy is everywhere apparent. Highlights include the set opener, "Hell Up Coal Holler," "Bonaparte's Retreat", and a pair of vocal excursions, "Cattlettsburg" and "Boatmen." Although Long Bow is very much a tribute to Ed Haley, it is also very much a John Hartford album, and Hartford's fans will surely treasure it."

Track listing

All songs written or arranged by Ed Haley.
  1. "Hell up Coal Holler" – 3:13
  2. "Yellow Barber" – 3:02
  3. "Lost Indian" – 4:44
  4. "Dunbar" – 4:42
  5. "Brushy Fork of John's Creek" – 3:15
  6. "Bonaparte's Retreat" – 4:50
  7. "Forks of Sandy" – 3:49
  8. "Cattlettsburg" – 4:03
  9. "Half Past Four" – 4:36
  10. "Blackberry Blossom" – 2:42
  11. "Pumpkin Ridge" – 4:19
  12. "Brownlow's Dream" – 4:24
  13. "Rebel Raid" – 3:58
  14. "Boatman" – 3:38
  15. "Ida Red" – 2:38

    Personnel