Ancestral Swamp

Michael Hurley

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2007)
• Original Release Date: September 18, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: GNOMONSONG
• ASIN: B000TXNBFY
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #141,164 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Ancestral Swamp is the 20th full-length album by legendary rambler, cartoonist, outsider folk singer, and guitarist Michael Hurley. It arrives just in the nick of time for the rabid Snockophile. A batch of new vittles and encores of some of his classic tunes, Ancestral Swamp bubbles with laid-back ease and tremolodic goodness. Most songs have the simplest of arrangements: Hurley singing solo, accompanied by his guitar, Wurlizter organ, or fiddle. Tara Jane O Neil helps lend a nice touch to El Dorado, and Snock calls upon frequent past accomplices Dave Reisch and Louie Longmeyer for their graceful touch on sleepy winners like New River Blues and Gamblin Charlie. As with all Hurley s albums, once one sets the needle down, one is put in a certain peace and place. His voice and songs are unique, shuffling with characters and visions clear and wild. With Ancestral Swamp, it seems Snock has left his front door open a bit wider than usual. If you lean in close, you can inhale a little of the vapor rising off the water, and enjoy a tale or two.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SNOCKALICIOUS, October 8, 2007

By	C. Baldwin (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hurley is a national folk treasure. Like a campfire John Prine, his simple songs mesmerize with their honesty and beauty, wild-eyed and ragged around the edges. This album features more relaxed, natural fare with Hurley's voice sounding slightly deeper and settled, warming up throughout like a fine wine. Everything is great here, but listen to the beautiful keyboard work on the hauntingly pretty, "Lonseome Graveyard" I can't wait to see him on tour, as I hear he's a tremendous live performer.
Someone should reissue all his albums (Light in the Attic, or Fat Possum, Im looking in your direction), as they are criminally hard to find, unless you buy straight from the man himself.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Boone and Jocko, September 22, 2007

By	John Colter (Gallatin County) - See all my reviews

Michael Hurley is the greatest living folk singer in America today. This album once again shows his incredible writing and delivery. Spread the word!

4.0 out of 5 stars Campfire Snock, January 3, 2008

By	Leslie Ippolito "Pop Zeus" (Franklin Square, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is possibly his best since Wolf Ways. I've always been a big Hurley fan but I would be the first one to tell you he's had some questionable releases. Let me wash anyone's worries aside and demand that they order this today. It's Doc Snock just laying back and doing what he does best. Singing his twisted folk tales of a world only Mr. Hurley could dream of.