Mississippi John Hurt - Memorial Anthology

Memorial Anthology Review

 

by Ron Wynn

Mississippi John Hurt's mid-'60s performances were usually distinctive and sometimes staggering. His guitar work was crisp, attractive and frequently brilliant, although his vocals were the real hook. Hurt's narratives, storytelling ability and general communicative powers were at their peak on this two-CD set, which has languished in a vault for nearly 30 years. Hurt covers such traditional numbers as "C.C. Rider" and "Staggerlee" with vigor, plays several originals, sometimes shifts to gospel, and does everything in an unassuming way that nevertheless grabs your attention. The set's treasure is a 31-minute interview with Pete Seeger in which Hurt lays bare his life, times and personality, doing so in the same steady, casual, gripping fashion that underscored his singing and playing.

Mississippi John Hurt Memorial Anthology

0:00 Slidin' Delta 2:56 Salty Dog 6:08 Louis Collins 10:43 Staggerlee 14:54 Monday Mornin' Blues 19:23 Comin' Home 22:43 Candyman Blues 26:06 A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight 28:44 K.C. Jones Blues 34:06 Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor 38:16 You Can't Come In 40:59 Joe Turner 43:52 Spanish Flangdang 46:21 Lonesome Am I 49:52 I Shall Not Be Moved 54:23 CC Rider 57:48 Trouble Blues 1:03:16 Lovin' Spoonful 1:06:30 Richland Woman Blues 1:12:14 Frankie And Albert (Johnny) 1:18:40 Creole Belle 1:21:03 Chicken 1:22:41 Pete Seeger / John Hurt Interview 1:54:17 Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me 1:57:22 Nobody's Dirty Business 2:00:14 Stop Time (Buck Dance) 2:01:59 Worried Blues 2:04:19 Avalon Blues Label: Genes - GCD 9906/7, The Blues Vault Series - GCD 9906/7 Year: 1993