Guitarist Billy Strings closed out his second night in Portland, Maine by unveiling a new cover of a John Hartford song. Starting off just on the guitar by himself before being joined by his band, Strings slowly led the group in Hartford’s song “Presbyterian Guitar.” The song is a lovely instrumental, which Strings had not previously played live.
He certainly has covered Hartford before and includes “I’m Still Here,” “All Fall Down,” “Steam Powered Aereo Plane,” and “With a Vamp in the Middle” frequently in his set. (“Still Here” and “Steam Powered” both appear on Hartford’s 1971 album Aereo-Plain, which also featured “Presbyterian Guitar.”) Strings has previously played part of “Guitar” as a lead-in to his own song “Hide & Seek” several times last year, but the Portland performance was the first full live version of the song that he’s played.
The same night, Strings dusted off his cover of The Beatles‘ “And Your Bird Can Sing,” which he hadn’t played for 162 shows and Jimmie Rogers‘ “Treasure Untold,” which he hadn’t played for 111 shows.
So Much For Goodbyes, Strings’ newest record, will be released at the end of the month.
