Mississippi John Hurt - Folk Songs and Blues (1963)

After a 35-year absence, Mississippi John Hurt made a return to recording with "Folksongs & Blues", and his gentle, easygoing style of country blues hadn't changed a bit in the intervening years. Hurt croons, and even occasionally whispers, the lyrics, accompanied by the lazy strum of an acoustic guitar and a few touches

of harmonica. He makes the insults in "Salty Dog" actually sound more disappointed than angry, and "Joe Turner Blues" sounds extraordinarily soothing for a song containing the line "He's the man I hate." Hurt is adept at composing lovely melodies (such as "Candy Man Blues") and his gentle, subtle performances do them justice. Still, as laid-back as it can be, it never becomes boring or insubstantial, primarily because the scarred pain in Hurt's voice, as well as the sometimes-dark lyrics, give these songs more weight than is easily apparent.

"Folksongs & Blues" is a great introduction to Mississippi John Hurt's talents, and is a must-have for anyone interested in country blues.

Tracklist:

A1	Avalon Blues
A2	Richland Women Blues
A3	Spike Driver Blues
A4	Salty Dog
A5	Cow Hooking Blues
A6	Spanish Fandang
B1	Casey Jones
B2	Louis Collins
B3	Candy Man Blues
B4	My Creole Belle
B5	Liza Jane - God's Unchanging Hand
B6	Joe Turner Blues

Mississippi John Hurt - Folk Songs and Blues (1963)
(256 kbps, cover art included)