Personnel: Mississippi John Hurt (vocals, guitar); Mississippi John Hurt (acoustic guitar). Liner Note Author: Bill Dahl. Recording information: Coolidge Auditorium, Washington D.C. (07/15/1963-07/23/1963). Author: Richard K. Spottswood. The second half of an epic recording session Mississippi John Hurt cut for the Library of Congress on July 15th-23rd, 1963 (the first half is available on D.C. BLUES--THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS RECORDINGS VOL. 1), VOL. 2 reveals all the delights of this legendary bluesman. Though his most essential recordings were waxed in the late '20s for OKeh, Hurt's complex, fleet fingerpicking style and gentle, conversational singing were little diminished when the artist was "rediscovered" during the folk and blues revival of the '60s. Over two discs and 37 tracks, Hurt delivers versions of some of his best-known songs ("Nobody's Dirty Business," Stackolee"), spirituals ("Will the Circle Be Unbroken"), and popular songs ("You Are My Sunshine"). Hurt's soothing, pleasant style of rural blues wears particularly well here; VOL. 2 makes an excellent companion to the first Library of Congress set, and would make a fine addition to any blues collection.
D.C. Blues: The Library Of Congress Sessions Volume 2 Music Review
Customer D.C. Blues: The Library Of Congress Sessions Volume 2 Reviews
Average Rating: (3.5 out of 5 stars)
Soft wonderful listening. Not 5 star because I'm not sure I've ever heard a 5 star performance. How do yuoui know?
Great guitar. To me it sounds like it should sound. Submitted by rwparetmd (Knoxville TN) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Don't start with this one! Not for first-time MJH listeners, but essential for completists. MJH misses a note here and there and the delivery is much more low key than some of his performances for an audience. Still, I'm glad to have it for the one or two I'd not heard him perform before. First timers: Get "Live" and go from there. Submitted by Bill (Athens, GA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo