Memorial Anthology

Read About This Recording

In the early 1960's, many of the surviving old-time bluesmen who had been neglected for years were rediscovered, recorded and made a comeback. One of the great discoveries was Mississippi John Hurt who had made two recording sessions in 1928 and been little heard from since. A performer with a very full chordal style on the guitar and a gentle and friendly voice, Hurt was as much a folk singer as a blues vocalist. He spent most of his life playing parttime in Mississippi where he worked regular day jobs.

In 1963, after 35 years off records, Mississippi John Hurt emerged from complete obscurity with both his singing and guitar skills virtually untouched by the passing of decades. He recorded extensively during the remaining three years before his death, becoming immortal to blues fans in the process. This double-CD Memorial Anthology features Hurt on four occasions in 1964 performing live before an appreciative audience. His renditions of such songs as Salty Dog, Staggerlee, Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor, I Shall Not Be Moved and Frankie And Albert are timeless. Also quite valuable is an insightful 31 - minute interview with Pete Seeger in which Hurt discusses his early days.

A must for all serious blues collections.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Slidin' Delta; Salty Dog; Louis Collins; Staggerlee; Monday Mornin' Blues; Comin' Home; Candyman Blues; A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight; K.C. Jones Blues; Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor; You Can't Come In; Joe Turner; Spanish Flangdang; Lonesome Am I; I Shall Not Be Moved; CC Rider; Trouble Blues; Lovin' Spoonful; Richland Woman Blues; Frankie and Albert (Johnny); Creole Belle; Chicken; Pete Seeger/ John Hurt Interview; Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me ; Nobody's Dirty Business; Stop Time (Buck Dance); Worried Blues; Avalon Blues.

Mississippi John Hurt, Guitar & Vocals; includes exclusive Pete Seeger/John Hurt interview!