December 11, 1997
Although the hippies' sickening earnestness gave us some seriously lame folk music, at least they had the sense to respect the blues and the foresight to record the master bluesmen of the Mississippi while they were still alive. The 60's blues and folk revival reintroduced a lucky world to artists like Skip James, Son House, and Mississippi John Hurt.
Hurt's 1926 recording of "Stack O' Lee" made him a brief local celebrity, but the 1963 Newport Folk Festival made him, at 71, something of a star. This is a blessing. This disc captures Hurt as his latter day peak, and his blues are among the sweetest, gentlest blues you will ever hear. His intricate picking and soft coo of a voice are far removed from the slash and burn guitar of Son House or the demonic wail of Robert Johnson, but are no less effective.
The intimate setting (you can almost count the hands clapping after the set) is perfect for Hurt, allowing his close, confidential voice and warm style to flourish. Achingly gentle blues like "Nobody Cares For Me", guitar boogaloos like "Worried Blues" and loving testimonials like "I Been Cryin' Since You Been Gone" demonstrate not only Hurt's tender songwriting but also his endearing performance style. See if you don't want to give this man a hug when the album is through.
Almost any album by Hurt on the unerring Rounder label is a good one, and his 1928 Sessions on the Yazoo label is a fantastically well-preserved historical document. Still, Worried Blues 1963 is a gorgeous testament to the man's ability to charm an audience and win your heart. For those who think that blues can't be uplifting or sweet, give this man your ear.
- Jared O'Connor
gentle blues