Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?

Subject: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 05:42 PM

Recent reference to a new Vanguard Tribute Album, "Avalon Blues" to Mississippi John Hurt, and a song "Angels Laid Him Away" sung by Lucinda Williams. Anyone know anything about this song, lyrics (I tried the DT), or album of MJHs it might be on?

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 05:45 PM

I'm do not know why they used that title instead of "Louis Collins," the song's common title. "The angels laid him away" is a line from the song.

Subject: RE: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 05:55 PM

Oh yeah? Thanks for the swift reply. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Stewie
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 08:22 PM

Peter

MJH's first recording of this under the title 'Louis Collins' can be found on: Mississippi John Hurt 'Avalon Blues: The Complete 1928 Okeh Recordings' Columbia/Legacy CK 64986 [Roots N' Blues series]. This is the indispensible MJH CD - the Okeh sessions have been reissued elsewhere, but not in as good sound as this; understandable as Sony has the original masters. There are later MJH recordings of 'Louis Collins' on other CDs. There is a fine 1960s recording of it on Mississippi John Hurt 'Avalon Blues 1963' Rounder CD 1081.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 08:43 PM

Thanks, Stewie, I have that album, but was misled by the alternative title. I think I bought it on your recommendation 6 months ago!!! yours ever, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 10:49 PM

What surprised me about the alternate title was that Mississippi John Hurt himself recorded "Louis Collins" for Vanguard, the label that put out this new tribute.

BTW, aside from a very weird cut by Victoria Williams, the tribute is very good. I'll have a review in the next issue of Sing Out!

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 10:59 PM

Look forward to it, Mike. The review I read was in this week's New Yorker in the Pop notes section. It also liked Gillian Wlech's Beulah Land. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Francy
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 01:26 AM

David Grisman and the late Jerry Garcia do a wonderful version of Louis Collins on their Shady Grove CD, and a newer version is available by Bill Morrissey on his latest Philo CD....Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Miss.J.Hurt song: Angels Laid Him Away?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 02:05 AM

My favourite version of Lewis Collins was from The Old Reliable String, with Tom Paley doing the singing.

It's a wonderful and simple (relatively) little tune to play.

Rick