The Mississippi John Hurt

by Mississippi John Hurt

Overview

Mississippi John Hurt recorded a baker's dozen of folksy, acoustic blues tunes for the OKeh record label in 1928, then vanished into obscurity. Fast-forward more than 40 years: With the '60s folk-blues revival underway, a young enthusiast decided to see if Hurt was still alive. "Avalon's my home town," Hurt had sung so many years before, and that's where he was rediscovered, still singing and playing his guitar. Thus, in 1963, at age 70, he launched a glorious, if short-lived, musical career. Hurt's affable demeanor and gentle delivery scored an immediate hit with a new generation of fans. THE BEST OF MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT features an hour of Hurt recorded live in 1965 at Oberlin College in Ohio. The crowd adored him, as most did, and with good reason. Hurt was a deceptively gifted fingerpicking guitarist and master storyteller, as he demonstrates on "Talking Casey," "My Creole Belle," "Candy Man," "Stagolee," and others. Hurt died in 1966. This live album is the fine legacy of a real folk hero.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/1990
Label:	Vanguard Records
UPC:	0015707192026
catalogNumber:	19/20
Rank:	33454

Tracks

1. Here Am I, Oh Lord, Send Me
2. I Shall Not Be Moved
3. Nearer My God to Thee
4. Baby, What's Wrong With You?
5. It Ain't Nobody's Business
6. Salty Dog
7. Coffee Blues
8. Avalon My Home Town
9. Make Me a Pallet on the Floor
10. Since I've Laid My Burden Down
11. Sliding Delta
12. Monday Morning Blues
13. Richland Women Blues
14. Candy Man
15. Stagolee
16. My Creole Belle
17. C.C. Rider
18. Spanish Fandango
19. Talking Casey
20. Chicken
21. You Are My Sunshine

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mississippi John Hurt   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals

Technical Credits

Mississippi John Hurt   Composer,Contributor
Bob Scherl   Producer
Traditional   Composer
Dino Valenti   Composer
John Hurt   Composer

Editorial Reviews

Contrary to what its title would make one believe, this record is not a collection of previously available recordings by Mississippi John Hurt -- rather, it is a complete concert from Oberlin College on April 15, 1965. Regardless, the title is justified, as the concert features Hurt in excellent form doing most of his best known classic songs from the 1920s as well as newer compositions.

All Music Guide - Bruce Eder