Mississippi John Hurt

Subject: Mississippi John Hurt
From: simon-pierre
Date: 13 May 00 - 12:24 AM

Another great night to stare at my wall (there's a Bob Dylan poster on it, or I can choose the other wall, with a reproduction of Kandinsky, depending on how I feel) while listening to Mississippi John Hurt for the first time, reading a little about him, his incredible rediscover in the 50's - 60's, wondering how he can play guitar like this. A real discover.

I would like to read toughts of folks here about him, what do you think about his music, if you ever assist to one of his shows, what do you know about him or his songs (history, anecdotes) or if you were ever able to play his music. Any toughts would be appreciated.

SP

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 00 - 12:27 AM

Mississippi John Hurt is a special favorite at our house, and his "Blessed Be the Name" is frequently done at our church and at local nursing homes when we go do the service there.

His music ran through the music of everyone I loved listening to. Finally, I got one of his recordings and found out why they loved him so much and why I loved it whenever they played that certain picking style.

~S~

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Sourdough
Date: 13 May 00 - 01:08 AM

I was living in Boston in 1963 when I heard that Mississipi John Hurt was alive. This was at a time when old musicians were being discovered. It seemed like Ralph Rinzler, an old-timey mandolin player was finding most of them but I don't think John Hurt was one of the people he tracked down. The Sixties were close enough to the twenties that a surprising number of those musicians were still around, forgotten by almost everyone, and probably boring their unbelieving neighbors with the stories of how they used to be stars. Then all of a sudden people started coming looking for them. It was really exciting to hear of a rediscovery and hear the music direct from the twenties and thirties.

I don't know where I heard John Hurt's first recording but I do remember that while listening to "Creole Belle" and "Louis Collins" that I started to comprehend that old saying that "less is more". John Hurt's guitar picking was so precise and his tones rang. The notes were so spare and tasteful. They blended with his simple vocal melodies with real warmth. I am not a fan of Delta Blues and but here was someone from both there and then but his music seemed to me to be so much more universal.

I think I envy you for getting to hear him for the first time.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Musicman
Date: 13 May 00 - 01:26 AM

I've got some old recordings (tapes i think) havn't listened to for a bit, but I have a book of country blues picking, and there is this picture of John Hurt.... he has one of those faces that just sort of makes you smile back at him......

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 13 May 00 - 06:00 AM

Simon-Pierre,

Rip the Dylon poster off the wall, and see if you can find the picture of Mississippi John Hurt that Musicman mentions - to me, that photo is "The Face of the World as it Should Have Been".

S-P - Like you, I wish to hear from those at Mudcat who met MJH. All I can comment on is what I heard from records 35 years ago, read from the notes, and tried to (not) play.

Sourdough is "true to name" with the post above. MJH was "sourdough bread" - simple and "leave a bit out for the next risin'" - I loved the way he'd "drop a bit off" in each chorus, so you could "fill in the blanks".

Y'know what I say ~S~? "Praise-be"?

I hope this thread lasts better than "Ramblin' Jack Elliot" did - he's fallen off the heap already.

SP - MJH is great! Thank you for starting the thread.

Bon soir - Sam

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 May 00 - 09:27 AM

Patrick Sky, one of my favorite folkies from the 60's was one of those who found and played with him. You hear the John Hurt influence in much of his playing and songwriting.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Chris/Darwin
Date: 13 May 00 - 09:34 AM

I first heard MJH on that Newport FF album shortly after he started his new career. I was blown away by his gentle nature, his unassuming manner, and the remarkable songs and guitar playing.

Like many others, I became determined to learn to play like that! Fortunately, in the 60's Oak put some good books out, and I learned enough songs note-for-note to get the hang of the guitar style.

I still sing many of those songs today - Louis Collins, Spike Driver blues, Blessed be the Name, Creole Belle, Candy Man, Got the Blues (Can't be Satisfied), Stagolee, etc etc. I get as much pleasure playing these songs today as I did 30 years ago.

John Hurt influenced thousands of guitarists and singers all over the world, and his music lives on. Blessed be his name!

Regards Chris

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 00 - 09:46 AM

When we do Blessed Be the Name, I often say a bit about how MJH's gentleness was... and bless him and his name as well.

~S~

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Peter T.
Date: 13 May 00 - 09:51 AM

You might want to hear Dave Van Ronk's "Did You Hear John Hurt?" sometime. A nice tribute.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 13 May 00 - 10:04 AM

In the credit where credit is due department, "Did You Hear John Hurt?" is a Tom Paxton song that Dave Van Ronk also sings.

There's also a duet version of Tom and Dave doing the song on FOLLOW THAT ROAD (Philo), a 2-CD compilation of various artists recorded at a singer-songwriters' retreat on Martha's Vineyard.

Another great tribute song to Hohn Hurt is Happy Traum's "Mississippi John."

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 13 May 00 - 10:07 AM

"Hohn Hurt?"

I did mean to say "John Hurt." That QWERTY guy should not have put the "H" next to the "J."

MR

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 13 May 00 - 10:11 AM

A couple of my favorite John Hurt tunes are "Make me a pallet on your floor," and "Got the Blues, Can't be Satisfied." I usually sing them, while playing a gentle roll on the banjo.

HTF

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Peter T.
Date: 13 May 00 - 10:44 AM

Sorry about that! "Here Am I Lord Send Me" is also wonderful. First John Hurt song I ever heard.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 00 - 11:29 AM

Do you all hear the guitar ring in your minds when you post these titles? I do. Thanks for the sound clips.

~S~

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: MikeJ
Date: 13 May 00 - 11:29 AM

I've been a MJH fan since the first recording I heard back in the early '70s. I recently bought the video " Legends of Country Blues Guitar" on Vestapol, which includes Hurt playing two songs. It's a joy to watch him after listening to him all these years. I only wish there was more video available. Mike

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: harpgirl
Date: 13 May 00 - 07:11 PM

(Actually Pete Peterson, visiting Ms. Harp) I was in the audience at the Blues workshop at newport, July 1963 when they announced from the stage "from Avalon, MS, Mississippi John Hurt" and I was one of the few people who knew who he was (thanks again to Harry Smith and the Anthology, and to Tom Paley who had recorded Stagolee on New Lost City Ramblers volume 4) a few mnutes later EVERYBODY did. I saw him a few months later at the Second Fret in Phila and got to hang around him a little bit afterwards. Sat as close as possible to watch the thumb move so rock-steady back and forth. It was wonderful. There's a lot of John Hurt in my own guitar playing. ((I wish!))

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 14 May 00 - 08:06 PM

I was just recently introduced to Mississippi John Hurt through the video Rick Fielding lent me. It was one of Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest series.
I was so impressed with Hurt.
Besides incredible talent, John Hurt has charisma oozing out of his pours.
Amazing person
I just picked up his Avalon Blues CD
Right now I am listening to 'Louis Collins'.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: ddw
Date: 14 May 00 - 11:31 PM

Simon-Pierre,

John Hurt is one of my favorites, but if you like his stuff you should also search out the albums by Mance Lipscomb. His guitar work is sorta MJH with turbo.

cheers

David

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: GUEST,Frankie
Date: 14 May 00 - 11:45 PM

I took my nickname from the MJH song of that name (no gender ambiguity here, though). There is a long and interesting interview with Hurt from 1963 at Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop website. At least I hope it's still there.

F

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Wesley S
Date: 15 May 00 - 01:16 PM

I can almost hear "Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me" as I write this. What amazes me about Mississippi John Hurt , Chet Atkins and others is how easy they make it look and sound. It's as if their fingers are barely moving and it fools you into thinking - "I can do that" . Then you find out how tough it is.

My idea of heaven includes a riverbank, a couple of good old Martins and Mississippi John Hurt showing me how it's all done.

"Save on the undertakers bill, let the mermaids flirt with me"

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Jon W.
Date: 15 May 00 - 02:40 PM

My first contact with MJH was when I traded a Buddy Holly greatest hits album for M.John's "Last Sessions" LP, recorded in 1966 with Patrick Sky. The thing I like about him, is how much at peace he seemed to be with himself. Contrast that with his contemporary and fellow Mississippian Son House, who seemed forever tortured with a conflict between his blues and his religion. MJH could play a gospel number one minute and one of his gentle blues the next and it all sounded just right.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 15 May 00 - 03:11 PM

I love MJH's sound and style. I am constantly amazed at how gentle it sounds, but he has some of the most viloent lyrics I've ever heard. I'm not saying that I don't enjoy them, but I find it to be a real contrast between the sweet sound of his playing and voice, and the messages he often conveys.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: GUEST,Miss'Ippe Hobo
Date: 15 May 00 - 04:34 PM

Whoa,,,,,For a first time visitor to MudCat,,,,,,so many people who even know who Mississippi John was. And Jack Elliott, Tom Paxton, Dave Van Ronk, Spider John Krohner, Eric Von Schmidt, Jim Kweskin, so many names flooding back from the late nights of the 60's. Speak to me, oh friends of the silk and steel.

You are so right, John was so gentle, so very much at peace with his music and the joy it brought. Music still rings from the shotgun house in Clarksdale.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Wesley S
Date: 15 May 00 - 04:41 PM

Wecome Hobo - If you like artists like that you've come to the right place. Tell us about yourself. Then join up and hang on.........

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Peter T.
Date: 15 May 00 - 05:27 PM

Yes, fasten the seat belt, Hobo! I bet someone here knows John Hurt's shoe size.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 16 May 00 - 08:16 AM

I know that Joe Hickerson interviewed John Hurt for the Library of Congress because I saw a photograph of the two of them together whilst I was doing some research in the Folklife Archive a couple of years ago. What I found particularly exciting about this was that the very helpful man pulling out files for me was Joe Hickerson, and that put me just one step away from the magical Mr Hurt.

Brian

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Easy Rider
Date: 16 May 00 - 12:07 PM

Mississipp John Hurt was the grandfather we all wished we had. He was the wisest, sweetest, gentlest, most unassuming man I ever met. His playing was pure lyricism, and he could hold an audience spellbound.

I've learned a number of his songs, the latest being ""Payday"" and ""Nobody Cares For Me"". Yazoo has a CD of his 1928 recording sessions, when his tenor voice was young. It is a "Must Have".

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Jon W.
Date: 16 May 00 - 01:28 PM

Say, if any one has transcriptions of a few of his songs, I'd sure like them. Particularly "Trouble I've Had it All My Days", "Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me", and "Can't You Hear My Savior Calling (AKA Here Am I, Send Me)". Or maybe I should just try harder to listen closely. Also, does anyone know if he used alternate tunings very much or was he pretty much a standard tuning type of guy?

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Peter T.
Date: 16 May 00 - 05:52 PM

Stefan Grossman has transcriptions of some of Hurt's songs for sale, including "Here Am I Lord Send Me" (on the Country Gospel Blues Lessons tapes series). This is in open G. He seems to have been big on G.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: GUEST,Slider
Date: 16 May 00 - 09:20 PM

MLH's "Slidin' Delta" was the first tune I figured out on my own after getting the Vanguard twofer album nearly 25 years ago. I think it was called "The Best Of MJH" or somesuch. Great album recorded in April of '65 at a college (Oberlin?)...I'm just too lazy to get up from the chair and go to where the records are and look. One of the things that has facinated me is how much better his playing and singing was in his later years compared to his early Okey recordings(IMHO). Just listening to his different ways of playing "Candyman" is a study unto itself. Without a doubt, MJH was the main reason I stuck with the guitar. His music was so much more accessible than say, Son House,Skip James and others.(although now I can snap strings off the fingerboard and growl and moan to my hearts' content...it just took two and a half decades!!!) Of all those great "redicovered" bluesmen of the '60's , He is the one I wish I could have seen. I just love him, cantcha tell?

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 17 May 00 - 12:23 AM

One of my cherished possessions is a copy of the album made from the sessions he recorded for Dick Spottswood after being rediscovered. Mississippi John autographed it for me at one of the early Newport Festivals. The record's in fine shape, but the jacket is now falling apart, so I'm thinking of having it framed. God, what a beautiful, gentle man he was!

karen k knew Mississippi John much better than I did. Where are you, Karen? I thought you were going to add to this thread.

Sandy (warmed by fond memories!)

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Roo
Date: 17 May 00 - 02:20 AM

Hello all, Don't usually say much but love dropping by and reading some of the threads. Anyone heard Bill Morrissey's CD called Songs of Mississippi John Hurt? It features his versions of 15 songs by Mississippi John Hurt. Cormac McCarthy plays harmonica on several numbers and Peter Keane does some guitar and backing vocals.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Stewie
Date: 17 May 00 - 02:53 AM

Easy Rider mentioned the Yazoo issue of MJH's 1928 Okeh recordings. These were also reissued by Sony in the Roots N'Blues series under the title 'Avalon Blues: The Complete 1928 Okeh Recordings' Columbia/Legacy CK 64986 in much better sound. Indispensible! The comment about sound applies also with the respective Sony and Yazoo Blind Willie Johnson reissues. Yazoo does a great job, but Sony is owner of the masters. There is also a MJH CD with the same title, 'Avalon Blues', issued by Arhoolie [CD 1081]. These were 1963 recordings in Maryland by Peter Silitch and Sandy Fisher with production by Dick Spottswood - lovely album. It's possibly from the same recording session mentioned by Sandy Paton above.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Stewie
Date: 17 May 00 - 02:57 AM

Sorry, I must be cracking up. The 1963 'Avalon Blues' issue is by Rounder, not Arhoolie. I don't know how I did that: I have the CD sitting here in front of me. I got the catalogue number right though.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: GUEST,Frankie
Date: 17 May 00 - 11:12 PM

Stewie, LP you and Sandy are referring to is Piedmont PLP13517 it's called Mississippi John Hurt Folk Songs and Blues with a great picture of the man smiling impishly on the jacket. Roo, I've heard a lot of the Morrisey CD and I really like his interpretations, especially Shake That Thing.

Frankie

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 17 May 00 - 11:44 PM

It was the Piedmont album I was referring to above - my introduction to the art of Mississippi John. Now I have the Yazoo re-release of the 1928 Sessions and two Rounder CDs: Legend and Worried Blues - 1963. Morrisey (spelling?) may do them well, but I urge you all to listen to Mississippi John himself. He was great!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: gillymor
Date: 17 May 00 - 11:58 PM

Agreed Sandy, I love the 1928 recordings and the Piedmont LP but my favorite is probably the Live at Newport double LP.

Frankie

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: GUEST,simon-pierre
Date: 19 May 00 - 04:25 PM

Hi folks!

I do not like to let die a thread I had start, but my computer crashed this week (and is still kockned-out), so I read your nice and knowledgeable posts only today.

I'm glad to see that the beautiful music of MJH is well-known, and and it's wonderful to know how we were lead to his work, between the sixties and 2000... The post of Surdough made me laugh and think; ultimately, I think I envy you to had live in a wonderful period, and discovered his music in other way than mine; I bought a CD with the smilin' face of John Hurt, and for me it was something like an historical document; I mean, he died before I was born. A big problem indeed: I often read that the folk revival was made by people who discovered this music through recordings; how do you think it is now?...

Last Saturday, I made play at my radio show « Salty dog», « Stagolee » and « Candy man », and the beautiful song mentionned here, « Did you hear John Hurt ».

Thanks for your posts.

Simon-Pierre

(I'm sure this post crumbles under mistakes. Please forgive)

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 May 00 - 04:54 PM

Simon - Pierre - Trust us - there is nothing to forgive. Your love of John Hurts music is evident by your posts. One of the things I enjoy about the Mudcat is that I will find a post like this and it will send me to my record collection to dig out something I wavn't listened to in a while. Thank you.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: GUEST,Drew Smith
Date: 19 May 00 - 04:56 PM

I loved John Hurt's picking and singing! Doggone, I could have seen and heard Mississippi John Hurt when he was still alive, but didn't ever get around to do it. I certainly regret that a lot. He influenced so many guitar pickers, much as Libba Cotton did, too. But I did get to meet with Elizabeth Cotton in her very late years, when we were both performing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. I found her sitting in the performers area, all by herself ... and I was determined not to let the opportunity pass, so I went and sat alongside her and talked with her for over a half hour. She was delightful!

And as she was about to go up to the main stage for the last time she ever performed there, she bent over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Wow! So ... my message is for you to go and do the things that you feel you should, for who knows when (or if) the opportunity may present itself again.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 May 00 - 04:56 PM

That should have been "Haven't" not wavn't. My post crumbles too.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Peter T.
Date: 19 May 00 - 05:50 PM

Nice story, Drew.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 19 May 00 - 07:41 PM

Goiod advice, too, Drew!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: gillymor
Date: 20 May 00 - 08:24 AM

Also regarding the Morrisey CD, hearing Hurt's songs done in a different style helped me to realize again what a great songwriter he was.

Frankie

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 10:26 AM

What a great thread. Thought I'd add this.

~S~

---

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD

(G)If you don't love your sister,
Don't (C)spread her name a- (G)broad.
Blessed be the (C)Name of the (D7)Lord!
Just (G)hold her in your bosom,
And (C)carry her home to (G)God.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.

CHORUS
(G)Blessed be the (G7)Name, (C)blessed be the (G)Name,
Blessed be the (C)Name of the (D7)Lord.
(G)Blessed be the (G7)Name, (C)blessed be the (G)Name,
Blessed be the (D7)Name of the (G)Lord. (C, G)

Additional verses, substitute at italics:
brother, preacher, deacon, neighbor.... his/her

SH

Subject: Lyr Add: DID YOU HEAR JOHN HURT? (Tom Paxton)
From: simon-pierre
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 04:58 PM

Why not add this one that was mentionned here? As Mike Regenstreif pointed out, it's a song of Tom Paxton, also sung by Dave Van Ronk on his record "Somebody else, not me". I don't know where to find the Paxton's version.

DID YOU HEAR JOHN HURT?

It was a frosty night, it was beginning to snow,
And on the city streets,the wind began to blow,
We all came to the cellar we all emptied the bar.
To hear a little fellow play a shiny guitar.

(Chorus:}
Did you hear John Hurt play the Creole Bell?
Spanish Fandango? That he loved so well?
And did you love John Hurt? Did you shake his hand?
Did you hear him play his Candy Man?

On a straight back chair, with his felt hat on
He tickled our fancy with his "Avalon"
And everyone passing down on Toulouse Street
Would cock their heads and listen to the tapping feet

SP

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 06:21 PM

Didn't Doc Watson record that also?

~S~

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 08:44 PM

WYSIWYG

You're right, Doc did a nice version of the song. He even added a verse to this effect:

"We picked some together, John, Merle and me, Like 'a'talkin to Casey' and ol 'Staggerlee' And 'don't y'bet your money, if you can't afford to lose' and oh how he played them 'Monday Mornin' Blues'"

I've always liked Doc's version, an affectionate tribute to one of my heros by another of them! Thanks for mentioning it.

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 08:58 PM

MD-- Oh yeah, I remember now; I have it on an old tape I threw into the gospel tape library. I had actually not ever heard MJH when I heard Doc do that.... it got me to buy a MJH tape next time I saw one. Thanks!

~S~

Subject: RE: Mississippi John Hurt
From:
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 05:09 AM

Here is an interview with Hurt. It is on Grossman's site and if you go back one step in the heirarchy you will be at Grossman's homepage and can browse around to find what transcriptions he offers.

Murray