Avalon Blues

Mississippi John Hurt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B0000002SJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,842 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Very few people manage to grab the brass ring more than once, but Mississippi John Hurt did just that, experiencing two career peaks four decades apart. Avalon Blues/1963 is from the Delta bluesman's second apex, when Hurt reemerged from obscurity and briefly rode a wave of new interest in folk and blues. The CD's 12 great tracks include such classics as "Richland Woman Blues," "Salty Dog," and "Casey Jones." Also here are the lively "Candy Man Blues" and the sweet "Avalon Blues." Hurt, a vibrant performer with a warm singing voice, is always enjoyable, and his latter-day recordings have a charm all their own. --Genevieve Williams

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

Hurt's recordings after his celebrated 1963 "rediscovery" by the folk music crowd and the national press are possessed by a characteristic genteelness. Delicate charm wins out over preciousness in "Casey Jones and eleven more reflections on life or love in the Mississippi Valley, albeit few are technically compelling performances. Equally recommended is Rounder's Worried Blues, a 1963 long-player recorded in concert that is also finally out on small disc. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Album, But...., November 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Avalon Blues (Audio CD)

Avalon Blues 1963 was Hurt's first album recording session after his rediscovery. Much of the same material appears on the Today! album that was recorded subsequently. To my ear, the guitar is cleaner and his vocals more relaxed and confident on Today! It is hard to criticize a master, and both albums are great, but if you are only going to own one, choose Today! Look at it this way, it's great to hear someone in their 70s still getting better with age.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awsome - Mississipi John Hurt is a Treasure, December 22, 2003

By 

Owen P. Epstein "owene" (MCLEAN, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Avalon Blues (Audio CD)

What a terrific album. I recently discovered Hurt and am struck with his grace and fluidity. The story of Hurt is fascinating as well. Just think if he had been playing and recording albums prior to the 1960s - what a wealth of beautiful grace we would have had.

It is a blessing that Mississippi John has left us with an album like this one. But, really all of his songs are just as terrific as each other and each of his sparce albums are just as terrific as the other.

It is such a treasure we have to listen to and be moved by. I can't say enough great things about Mississippi John and all of his work.

God Bless!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One sweet recording, August 15, 2003

By 

E. Wallace (PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Avalon Blues (Audio CD)

I first learned of the delta blues through a reissue of old Robert Johnson recording and was hooked right away. It was some time later that I purchased this album and it has become an all time favorite. Two things set this apart from other recordings of the same genre. First, it is not just a remastering of old 78's, but rather a recording made on fairly modern equipment. This means that when it was remastered they were starting from already high quality tapes. Secondly, is the artist himself. John Hurt brings a gentleness and warmth to the delta blues that I have not found in any other artist. His music can soothe a baby to sleep, but never is boring. You can get lost in his picking and raspy vocals. It's like sitting at the feet of your grandpa while he sits in his rocking chair and strums an old folk tune. The music seems to say "Welcome home, boy. Come sit a spell."