Customer Reviews

The Best Of

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yes, this is a live recording, not a collection of prerecorded material; but you know what? I think it's even better than the studio works. I own Avalon Blues and Worried Blues, and they're wonderful. But there's something different going on here. There's a certain undefinable spirit he adds to the songs. Gosh, I don't want to say it, but it's almost rowdy, if Mr. Hurt could ever be described in that fashion (heck, though, it's almost like calling Perry Como speed metal).

All I'm trying to say is that the artist/audience chemistry seems to add something exciting to the music and the musician. I guess he seems happier and more alive; which leads me to one oxymoron I've always used to describe Mississippi John Hurt. Happy blues. I love this album, and if you like anything this man has recorded, I'd almost guarantee you'll feel the same.

This disc is a fine place to dive into the wonderfully gentle blues of this wonderfully gentle man. There was nothing flashy about John Hurt, and maybe for that reason his music may stick to your ribs for a long, long time.

I first heard this album in the mid-sixties. I bought the LP as soon as I could locate it, and updated to the CD as well. I have hundreds of recordings but this is the one I like the best. I've listened to it for more than 30 years.

Must agree with the previous reviewer--this is truly great collection. I also first heard the LP in the late 60's, had a reel to reel tape of it that finally just wore out. Then heard it again a few days ago in a local Cajun restaurant. It sounded better than ever. Just had to have the CD.

Mississippi John Hurt is one of those old blues singers of the same generation at Son House and Charlie Patton. On this CD, there are no liner notes to provide context. However, the Wikipedia notes that he recorded some of his music in the later 1920s (he was born in 1892 or 1893). The records did not do well and the record company went down the tubes during the Depression. Hurt, then, returned to his home in Avalon, Mississippi, worked as a sharecropper, and played local parties and dances.

Here are some illustrative cuts from this CD:

"Avalon My Home" refers to his home town (as one might well guess!). His guitar work is simple but well played. He has a smooth voice (nothing like Howlin' Wolf!). His home town is "always on my mind." "New York is a good town, but it's not for mine."

"Monday Morning Blues" is a song that speaks to many of us, as he observes that it's often hard to get started on Monday morning. Again, good clean acoustic guitar playing and a clear but expressive voice.

"Woke up in the morning
With Monday morning blues."

"Stagolee" focuses on "a bad man." The song is about a hard case, and features, again, nice guitar playing. Typical line:

"Please don't take my life,
He's a bad man."

Stagolee ended up at the gallows, apparently to the relief of many.

"C. C. Rider" "made me love you." Expressive singing over a love affair.

Finally, "You Are My Sunshine." There is a nice introduction to the song addressed to the audience by Hurt. He urges a sing-along style. A nice, affecting version, well sung and well played.

A very nice introduction to the work of Mississippi John Hurt.

Having seen some guitar Tabs of his songs I came across this album and brought it out of curiosity, ( I like the old blues musicians) Brilliant! Recorded infront of a live audience MJH entertains through the whole album. At times I became frustrated wanting to know what the audience were laughing at. If you want to hear a great blues guitarist then buy this one. I listen to the cd now and again, but not just the once, it always goes on 'Repeat'. Now I can't find enough of his material.

I first bought this album on vinyl in the mid seventies. It has been one of my favorites over the years. This live performance was recorded in 1965, the year before his death. He was in excellent form and both his playing and voice were in top shape. John's very original fingerpicking style was first captured in 1928 and was different than any other blues at the time. His warmth and humor are felt throughout this album. Buy it. You won't be sorry.

This CD is easy to listen to and appealing for true Blues lovers. Mississippi John Hurt has a way with words and phrasing that make me want to listen to it over and over.

If you are into traditional acoustic music, particularly blues - check out John Hurt. His unique finger-style playing (which, if you're a guitar player, is not as easy to duplicate as it may seem) and his simple, honest voice will win you over immediately. This is a live recording and so you also get to hear Hurt interact with the audience, including a sing-along version of "You are My Sunshine." For those already familiar with Hurt this recording is a must-have.

This is the best recording I know of from Mississippi John Hurt. If I could own only one album, this would be it. If I could own only 20 songs, probably half of them would be from this album.

As some have commented, it is a live recording but that does not take away from the quality at all. You can occasionally hear the audience laughing, not at "lyrical slip-ups" as one reviewer said, but at times when Mr. Hurt, a humble sharecropper, was too embarrassed to sing some of the more "colorful" lyrics to his tunes in front of a crowd of upper-class (presumably nearly all white) college kids. At one point he mumbles "I can't say it." For me, rather than distracting from the performance, this touch of humanity just brings his god-like skill into sharper relief.

When you hear this, you will wonder who is playing the other instruments in the background. Astonishingly, no one is. MJH's finger-style playing is so rich and complex that he manages to sound like two or three guitars playing at once.

If you enjoy mellow but lively guitar music, you will love this album. If you play guitar, you will want to learn all of these songs.