Classic Delta Blues
E. N. Anderson | Riverside, CA USA | 12/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I should put in a plug for my all-time favorite album. I bought the old vinyl record when it came out in 1963. The new CD provides better sound. This record gives a wonderful cross-section of old-time Delta blues and songs. The truly amazing piece on this album is "Slidin' Delta"; this version of it is, for my taste, the greatest piece of music-making I know. After listening to it hundreds of times, I still discover new details every time I hear it. It's a relatively long performance, so John Hurt could really get into the piece. (We are poorly served by getting our blues in 3-or 4-minute takes; longer takes are almost always better than the same artists' shorter versions.) The guitar work is beyond belief, and the subtlety of the singing puts to shame most of the "blues shouters." Even those who don't share my fixation on guitar work and understated intensity will want this record. Essential for blues and folk-music lovers."