Customer Reviews

Today

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been listening to this album for over 30 years, and I find myself coming back to it time and time again, both as a guitarist and as someone who loves to listen to good music. I believe this is John's very best, lovingly produced by Patrick Skye who deserves very high praise for the excellent job he did.

I can't begin to say enough good things about this album.

This remains one of the great blues records of all time. John Hurt was an incredible guitarist and singer, but much more. He used his genius to get out the full messages in the songs. "Beulah Land" on this recording is a perfect example: he manages to get incredibly complicated cross-rhythms to work to project a new depth of feeling for a traditional song. Several other cuts are similarly wonderful.

The best of his later work. If you're going to own one MJH cd, make it this one.

If you haven't heard Mississippi John Hurt, you are missing some of the sweetest blues ever recorded. He is not widely known, but his music is soft, melodic, and amazingly gentle. There is no other sound like it.

Mississippi John Hurt was the real deal, the complete package. This recording will soothe you, move you and groove you all at the same time. It's easy to see where these modern day poseurs got their ideas (jack johnson, john mayer et al.). Problem is, they can't hold a candle to this stuff. Today! won't disappoint.

... Wow! What a great disc, country blues at its best. The sweet, Delta-hued voice contrasting with the Piedmont-style guitar in New York City, performing originals and traditional songs with a passion so unique. One of my thirty favorite albums, and the only full album Mr. Hurt saw released in his lifetime. Dig that cover, too... simplistic elegance.

The recording level is so low on this cd that you must turn your stereo almost to full volume to hear it at all. The songs are great but I am highly disappointed in the way it was recorded!!!!

Mississippi John Hurt died in 1966 or at the latest, 1967. For my money there is no album (now CD) more satisfying than Today!

Back in 1973, the days of real radio, someone played a tune named "Pay Day". Gentle, intricate fingerpicking in the Delta blues style, yet with a tone of humor and sexual maturity. From that point the man had a fan. Turns out John Hurt had some popularity in the late 1920's (I have a recording of his from 1927); and then he vanished. In 1971 he was "rediscovered", having been living quietly in Mississippi. Over sixty years old, he went on tour (including major universities) and recorded 'Today'; his finest studio work. While other recordings are live and/or with a backing guitarist, 'Today' is Mississippi John alone and blazing. Listen to "Talking Casey" and tell me how many guitars you hear (hint:he was alone and there was no over-dubbing). If you want to cheer up, calm down, get funky or just hear an artist in top form ply his craft BUY this! (Note: I paid twenty bucks for Japanese virgin vinyl in '74 - now look at the cost of the CD).