Topic: Mississippi John Hurt: His Life, His Times, His Blues

[Bunker Hill]

I've had my attention drawn to this which was a topic of discussion when the author was a member here

http://www.dr-phil.co.uk/2-page.html

[uncle bud]

It's rather amazing that one of the most beloved figures of the blues revival, whose guitar playing has influenced countless amateurs and pros, has never had a biography published about him.  Or have I missed one? Anyway, I look forward to seeing this book.

[Bunker Hill]

It's rather amazing that one of the most beloved figures of the blues revival, whose guitar playing has influenced countless amateurs and pros, has never had a biography published about him.

Quite correct, especially amazing since two of the people who recorded/managed have never felt the urge to do so. Robert Ford's blues bibliography entry for Hurt lists nearly 90 entries so in one form or another much has been written about him.

[Stumblin]

I'm looking forward to this. Thanks for the heads up.

[Bunker Hill]

I'm looking forward to this. Thanks for the heads up.

Clicking on the MJH tab below this will display a list of MJH topics, the first of which is one started by the author in 2006.

[Norfolk Slim]

Well done to Dr Phil for getting it done.  I recall talking to him about it at an EBA bluesweek some time ago, and his quiet passion for the subject was very evident.  Its taken a long time to get this far.

[harvey]

I also met Dr Phil at EBA a couple of times and I recall him saying that he had major doubts as to why he took on the project in the first place, not being a professional writer. I am hugely impressed with anyone who takes on a task such as this, I can only imagine the obstacles he came up against, along with people such as us waiting with bated breath.

Well done Dr Phil.

[Bunker Hill]

Seems like next year is going to be a bumper one for blues biographies this, Big Bill and Son House.

[uncle bud]

Have we mentioned the Son House biography before and I'm just forgetting (most likely scenario)? Who has written that one?

[Bunker Hill]

Have we mentioned the Son House biography before and I'm just forgetting (most likely scenario)? Who has written that one?

UB it's had quite a bit of pre-press hereabouts, written by Dan Beaumont and due to be published by Oxford UP next year. One of Jeff Harris's programs was devoted to an interview with Dan, and I think Jeff posted a link to it somewhere here. Jeff?

[jharris]

Have we mentioned the Son House biography before and I'm just forgetting (most likely scenario)? Who has written that one?

UB it's had quite a bit of pre-press hereabouts, written by Dan Beaumont and due to be published by Oxford UP next year. One of Jeff Harris's programs was devoted to an interview with Dan, and I think Jeff posted a link to it somewhere here. Jeff?

Dan tells me this is slated for June 1st.

http://oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Music/PopularMusic/PopRockPopularCulture/?view=usa&ci=9780195395570

[Bunker Hill]

Dan tells me this is slated for June 1st.
http://oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Music/PopularMusic/PopRockPopularCulture/?view=usa&ci=9780195395570

Thanks for the heads-up. So that'll make three long-awaited biographies all being published around the same time next year. Better get saving,

[Pan]

I just noticed that the book is available through Amazon U.K. Anyone read it yet?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mississippi-John-Hurt-Times-American/dp/1617030082/ref=sr_1_32?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292981202&sr=1-32

Cheers

Pan

[Stuart]

It's available as a pre-publication order. The scheduled release date is August 1, 2011.

I didn't see it listed at the University Press of Mississippi website under "Upcoming Titles," but the info on the website probably doesn't reflect it's current status. There are some interesting titles in their American Made Music Series:

http://www.upress.state.ms.us/search/series/4

And here's a link to the author's site:

http://www.dr-phil.co.uk/2-page.html

[Pan]

It's available as a pre-publication order. The scheduled release date is August 1, 2011.

I didn't see it listed at the University Press of Mississippi website under "Upcoming Titles," but the info on the website probably doesn't reflect it's current status. There are some interesting titles in their American Made Music Series:

http://www.upress.state.ms.us/search/series/4

And here's a link to the author's site:

http://www.dr-phil.co.uk/2-page.html

Oops. Right you are. Should have read more carefully, sorry.

Pan