Mississippi John Hurt is another one of those musicians who was overlooked for much of his life, recording for Okeh in the Twenties and then going back to the farm. It was only after two of his songs were included in Harry Smith’s 1952 collection, ‘The Anthology of American Folk Music’ that people became aware of him. It then took until 1963 for someone to seek him out and convince him to move to Washington and record, the result being 1963’s ‘Folk Songs and Blues’. After two albums for Piedmont Records he then signed to Vanguard and released this album in 1966, the same year he died from a heart attack.
It is criminal that John was only recognised for his talents in the last few years of his life, as this album is simply beautiful. He had a syncopated guitar playing style, and his vocals are incredibly melodic and much softer than his contemporaries (which apparently were not appreciated when he first started out as people preferred the rougher nature). This is music which is far gentler on the ear than most acoustic blues, but while the edges have been removed, there is no doubting the genuineness and power behind the man and his guitar.
Here we find him found performing a range of styles—from upbeat originals (“Candy Man Blues,” “Coffee Blues”) to traditional and country blues songs (“Make Me a Pallet On Your Floor,” “Corrinna, Corrinna”) and African American spirituals (“Louis Collins,” “Beulah Land”). He originally recorded both ‘Spike Driver Blues” and “Candy Man Blues” in 1928, while “Coffee Blues” may be known to some as it is from a line from in this song that gave The Lovin’ Spoonful their name.
This is a warm and inviting blues album from a true master of the craft.
Rating: 9/10
Links:
https://craftrecordings.com/