Monday, October 25, 2010

Mississippi John Hurt- A True Blues Legend

There is a superficial understanding of the Blues in popular culture. It exists somewhere between Eric Clapton's contrived style and BB King's live shows in Vegas. The Blues has been turned into a commodity and an image rather than a way of life. I say this because compared to the true genius of Mississippi John Hurt and a handful of other acts, the blues just doesn't resonate like it used to.

Mississippi John Hurt was born in 1892 in Avalon Mississippi. Three years before Buddy Bolden was credited with creating jazz and nearly 20 years before Robert Johnson. You won't hear his name as commonly as some of the other blues men of his time, but Mississippi John Hurt was a survivor who created truly beautiful music that should be cherished until the end of time. His simple picking style and understated voice is as honest a sound that you will ever hear and his simple and peaceful nature place him as close to sainthood as anyone could ever be.

His songs celebrated the dark as much as the light and represent the true beauty of the blues. I challenge anyone to not be moved by these incredible songs.





EDJ

1 comment:

  1. I love the sound of old records. There's nothing like it when the static catches, and the voice sounds a little muffled...pure perfection, nice and comforting.

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