Mississippi John Hurt – Today!
This 12-cut folk/country blues of Mississippi John Hurt (guitar/vocals) showcases his newer material recorded in 1966. He was “rediscovered” in 1963 after having started recording in 1928 for Okeh Records label. He then drifted back into obscurity until the Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music featured 2 John Hurt songs. This helped 2 folk enthusiasts to find John & convince him to cut some post-war sides. This LP became his 3rd & it was released by Vanguard.
The LP includes liner notes & continues in the reissue thrust by Craft Recordings who brought together the Patrick Sky-produced Mississippi John Hurt – Today! (Drops Feb 28/Craft Recordings/Concord/43:00). It includes all original Hurt songs with 5 traditional tunes. The only musician is John Hurt. The LP has a unique warmth & vitality that still comes through after all these years.
Born John Smith Hurt in Mississippi (July 1893-Nov. 1966) & one of ten children Hurt had a tight finger-picking style that intrigued talent scouts down South. In Memphis he recorded 2 initial songs & then while in New York City to record 5 sides for Okeh Records he met guitarist Lonnie Johnson. But the style Hurt employed sounds closer to the rural perfection of the late John Fahey.
Hurt’s advantage was that he could sing & write original blues convincingly whereas Fahey was known for interpreting vintage tunes (like the live “Poor Boys Long Way From Home”). A song performed by Mississippi John Hurt also. Hurt’s second career was far more successful than his first. His subtle voice & guitar picking was deliciously articulate. Hurt’s acoustic blues performances are not as heavy-handed as other blues artists. He had an assurance to his tone, a welcoming blend to his tales that was far easier for the uninitiated to appreciate.
All songs were originally recorded pristinely for Vanguard Stereolabs Records. Few songs sound aged. Hurt’s voice is upfront, in your ear like he’s sitting beside you singing only to you. “I’m Satisfied” & “Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight” both have a delightful thread that runs through each melody & down through the gentle notes coming off John’s strings. There was discipline in his playing most blues players lack. Spontaneity is good but the blues also deserve some skill to flesh out the nuances. John Hurt had this skill.
Joni Mitchell had visited Furry Lewis & came away feeling he didn’t like her. And he said so. Maybe Joni chose the wrong bluesman to befriend. Mississippi John Hurt would’ve understood Joni, her songs & her guitar playing far better.
Trivia? A line in “Coffee Blues” sings “Just a lovin’ spoonful…” This is where John Sebastian got the name for his band.
Highlights – “Pay Day,” “I’m Satisfied,” “Candy Man,” “Talking Casey,” “Corrinna, Corrinna,” “Coffee Blues,” “Hot Time In the Old Town Tonight” & “Beulah Land.”
CD at Amazon & Discogs & https://concord.com/news/bluesville-records-kicks-off-the-year-with-reissues-for-landmark-titles-from-two-legendary-bluesmen/
