Search - Mississippi John Hurt :: Avalon Blues

Great Album, But....

11/19/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Avalon Blues 1963 was Hurt's first album recording session after his rediscovery. Much of the same material appears on the Today! album that was recorded subsequently. To my ear, the guitar is cleaner and his vocals more relaxed and confident on Today! It is hard to criticize a master, and both albums are great, but if you are only going to own one, choose Today! Look at it this way, it's great to hear someone in their 70s still getting better with age."

Intimate performances from one of the greats

hypnovision | Long Beach, CA | 06/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first "blues" record that I ever bought, although John Hurt was really more of a folkie than a bluesman. Semantics aside, John Hurt was a very charming performer and one of those figures whose playing (a rolling, melodic fingerpicking style) was perfectly complemented by his voice (a warm, unshowy and engaging singing style). This particular collection was recorded in the 60's after his "rediscovery". While many of his 60's collections were recorded in concert halls to adoring audiences, this disc has the intimate feel of John Hurt playing to a small room, as if we happened to catch him picking out his favorites one Sunday afternoon.Other collections may have more songs than the twelve on this disc, but I think of a number of these performances ("Avalon Blues", "Richland Woman Blues", "My Creole Belle") as the definitive 60's versions.This disc is where I began building my folk blues collection, and I would recommend it as a nice intro both to the genre and to this great performer."

One sweet recording

E. Wallace | PA | 08/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first learned of the delta blues through a reissue of old Robert Johnson recording and was hooked right away. It was some time later that I purchased this album and it has become an all time favorite. Two things set this apart from other recordings of the same genre. First, it is not just a remastering of old 78's, but rather a recording made on fairly modern equipment. This means that when it was remastered they were starting from already high quality tapes. Secondly, is the artist himself. John Hurt brings a gentleness and warmth to the delta blues that I have not found in any other artist. His music can soothe a baby to sleep, but never is boring. You can get lost in his picking and raspy vocals. It's like sitting at the feet of your grandpa while he sits in his rocking chair and strums an old folk tune. The music seems to say "Welcome home, boy. Come sit a spell.""