Here Am I, Oh Lord, Send Me - Mississippi John Hurt, Traditional
I Shall Not Be Moved - Mississippi John Hurt, Traditional
Nearer My God to Thee - Mississippi John Hurt, Traditional
Baby, What's Wrong With You? - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, Mississippi J
It Ain't Nobody's Business - Mississippi John Hurt, Traditional
Salty Dog - Mississippi John Hurt, Morris, Wiley
Coffee Blues - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
Avalon My Home Town - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
Make Me a Pallet on the Floor - Mississippi John Hurt, Traditional
Since I've Laid My Burden Down - Mississippi John Hurt, Traditional
Sliding Delta - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
Monday Morning Blues - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, Mississippi J
Richland Women Blues - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
Candy Man - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
Stagolee - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
My Creole Belle - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
C.C. Rider - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
Spanish Fandango - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
Talking Casey - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, John
Chicken - Mississippi John Hurt, Hurt, Mississippi J
You Are My Sunshine - Mississippi John Hurt, Davis, Jimmie
This inappropriately titled album is actually a concert recording from a performance at Oberlin College in 1965. Regardless, Hurt's rich, gentle voice and relaxed, flowing guitar lines could soothe the stormiest Monday. Am... more »ong the hymns and traditional songs heard here are "I Shall Not Be Moved," "Nearer My God to Thee," "Since I've Laid This Burden Down," and "You Are My Sunshine." Complementing those are Hurt folk/blues staples, notably "Monday Morning Blues," "Coffee Blues," and "C.C. Rider." The blues patriarch's warmth and geniality come through here with such emotional intimacy that you can't help being deeply moved. --Genevieve Williams« less
This inappropriately titled album is actually a concert recording from a performance at Oberlin College in 1965. Regardless, Hurt's rich, gentle voice and relaxed, flowing guitar lines could soothe the stormiest Monday. Among the hymns and traditional songs heard here are "I Shall Not Be Moved," "Nearer My God to Thee," "Since I've Laid This Burden Down," and "You Are My Sunshine." Complementing those are Hurt folk/blues staples, notably "Monday Morning Blues," "Coffee Blues," and "C.C. Rider." The blues patriarch's warmth and geniality come through here with such emotional intimacy that you can't help being deeply moved. --Genevieve Williams
Allan Ostermann | Portland (the one on the left) | 02/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
It may not be his best, but:?
Douglas J. Harwood | Lexington, VA United States | 05/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
A timeless classic
dmckenzi@eidnet.org | 01/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
A blues pioneer
Steven A. Peterson | Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) | 05/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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.