Search - Jim Hurst :: Open Window

If your favorite Uncle was the best guitar player in the wor

Mark J. Fowler | Okinawa, Japan | 04/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jim Hurst is a guitarist's guitarist, meaning that other good musicians listen to him with wonder, amazement and appreciation. But his playing isn't just "listen to what I can do" show-offy kind of playing. Jim's music is alternatively intense and easy-going, intimate and partying. "Open Window" is Jim's first major solo effort, and although I also recommend "Second Son" and "Box of Chocolates", you are simply MISSING good stuff if you don't add "Open Window" to your collection. Why? Well, pull up a chair.... (this won't be long)



Jim is a virtuoso of jaw-dropping ability on that six-string, and that means whether it's flat-picked (2 time IBMA guitarist of the year), finger-picked ( Think Merle Travis - Jerry Reed style on steroids), or on a bluesy electric.



He is also a vocalist who sings, not with show-stopping raise the rafters pyrotechnics, but rather with a pleasant, soothing style that couldn't feel more "at home" if you were out on your front porch listening to the man. What is his style? What isn't? Hot Grass, Cool Country, Bending Blues, Too Cool Jazz - Jim's chops could walk right up on stage with any band in the world today playing any music.



What are the "must listen" tracks? There are no "bad" ones, just "varying degrees of good" as a musical friend of mine once said. The Bill Monroe standard "Wheel Hoss", that freight train of a twin fiddle instrumental, is turned into a bluesy freight train of a guitar extravaganza. Seriously - give it a listen. You won't believe that avalanche of fine sound is coming from one wooden box, two hands and six strings. Believe it.



A Minor Infraction demonstrates both Jim's amazing fingerstyle playing, along with his flatpicking and his deft sense of humor in titles. The lovely standard "Tall Pines" opens with Jim's deceptively intricate guitar work, followed by that comforting voice. "I Can Tell You The Time" follows the best traditions of gospel quartets. (Did I mention Jim is joined on this disc by A-List musicians including Claire Lynch, Sam Bush and Missy Raines?) The Louvin Brother's "My Baby's Gone" sounds like it's echoing from the old Ryman auditorium. Jim was once a truck driver and "17 Days" is a rolling, driving Bluegrass number with great lyrics and a hopeful, optimistic attitude. (My favorite moment in the song - told from the perspective of the truck driver who is only 17 days from reuniting with his love - is when he watches the clock roll past midnight and sings "16 days...." because he's another day closer to his honey's side. "This Old Guitar" is full of affection and wonder and humor and is the most true "duet" between vocalist and guitar in memory. The CD is studded with instrumentals documenting Jim's virtuosity and diversity.



It's a gem. Get it!"