Winner, Best History, 2012 Association for Recorded Sound Collections
Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research
When Mississippi John Hurt (1892-1966) was "rediscovered" by blues
revivalists in 1963, his musicianship and recordings transformed popular
notions of prewar country blues. At seventy-one he moved to Washington,
D.C., from Avalon, Mississippi, and became a live-wire connection to a
powerful, authentic past. His intricate and lively style made him the
most sought after musician among the many talents the revival brought to
light.
Mississippi John Hurt provides this legendary creator's life story for
the first time. Biographer Philip Ratcliffe traces Hurt's roots to the
moment his mother Mary Jane McCain and his father Isom Hurt were freed
from slavery. Anecdotes from Hurt's childhood and teenage years include
the destiny-making moment when his mother purchased his first guitar for
$1.50 when he was only nine years old. Stories from his neighbors and
friends, from both of his wives, and from his extended family round out
the community picture of Avalon. US census records, Hurt's first
marriage record in 1916, images of his first autographed LP record, and
excerpts from personal letters written in his own hand provide treasures
for fans. Ratcliffe details Hurt's musical influences and the origins of
his style and repertoire. The author also relates numerous stories from
the time of his success, drawing on published sources and many hours of
interviews with people who knew Hurt well, including the late Jerry
Ricks, Pat Sky, Stefan Grossman and Max Ochs, Dick Spottswood, and the
late Mike Stewart. In addition, some of the last photographs taken of
the legendary musician are featured for the first time in Mississippi
John Hurt.
