The Best Of

A blues pioneer:
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.

Very very good:
Transcends blues to be just a fun, sad, uplifting, great cd. Recommended for anyone.

Great album, but...:
It's a live album recorded at Oberlin College in 1965 in front of an audience and not what most people think of as a "Best of". Someone mentioned this below, but I thought it was worth pointing out again. The audience is very, very quiet (except when they are overly amused by a few subtle lyrical slip ups - if they didn't laugh you really wouldn't notice too much in my opinion... sorta annoying).

the face of serenity and a gentle nature,:
I first seen the face of Mississippi John Hurt on a Taj Mahal album, "Recycling the blues and other related stuff" which is also an excellent album/CD in its own right. But were here to talk about Mississippi John Hurt, well it was way after living as Dr. Hunter S. Thompson suggested, "GONZO LIVING", and I was in a music store shuffling through the blues music when I come across that face again, it was Mississippi John Hurt, I had a name for that angelic face I had seen so long ago, and the impression of the kind/pain in his eyes made me sure I had my man. Well if you have read any of my other stuff, you may know that I feel that "Best of...," albums are for people who weren't paying attention the first time around, well this time that was me. Thank your local deity for recorded music, so one may take the make up exam. Also this album is a wonderful work on its own, or a great primer for understanding this incredable man, I would like to have met him, and listen to his stories, and ask him if he was aware of his genuine, gentility and just to be in the presence of that well spring shown by his eyes. As for the CD proper, "Make ne a pallet on the floor", "Salty Dog Blues", or "Coffee Blues" they are steller, along with the rest of the music on the double CD. I would recomend buying this CD if you are into acoustic music, if it be acoustic folk, blues or world.

Ageless:
I first bought this album on vinyl in the mid seventies. It has been one of my favorites over the years. This live performance was recorded in 1965, the year before his death. He was in excellent form and both his playing and voice were in top shape. John's very original fingerpicking style was first captured in 1928 and was different than any other blues at the time. His warmth and humor are felt throughout this album. Buy it. You won't be sorry.