Author Topic: Mississippi John Hurt: His Life, His Times, His Blues (Read 5653 times)

Bunker Hill · « **on:** October 15, 2010, 05:53:50 AM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2010, 09:41:55 AM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2010, 10:38:15 AM »

Quote from: uncle bud on October 15, 2010, 09:41:55 AM

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2010, 02:03:53 PM »

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

Bunker Hill · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2010, 12:15:22 AM »

Quote from: Stumblin on October 15, 2010, 02:03:53 PM

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 16, 2010, 03:07:54 AM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2010, 01:16:54 PM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2010, 01:06:09 AM »

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

uncle bud · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2010, 07:53:59 AM »

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

Bunker Hill · « **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2010, 09:05:59 AM »

Quote from: uncle bud on October 17, 2010, 07:53:59 AM

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 31, 2010, 09:28:26 AM »

Quote from: Bunker Hill on October 17, 2010, 09:05:59 AM

Quote from: uncle bud on October 17, 2010, 07:53:59 AM
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 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2010, 10:26:39 AM »

Quote from: jharris on October 31, 2010, 09:28:26 AM

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2010, 05:31:33 PM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2010, 05:53:42 PM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2010, 05:55:58 PM »

Quote from: Stuart on December 21, 2010, 05:53:42 PM

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

RobBob · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:57:53 PM »

I've got this and the new book about Son House on pre-order at Amazon, through the Weenie portal. Hope they are good.

RobBob · « **Reply #16 on:** June 14, 2011, 02:12:08 PM »

Just got word that this book and the new Son House book have shipped from Amazon today.

jostber · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2011, 04:52:54 AM »

Got my MJ Hurt book in the mail yesterday. This looks like a great book with a lot of information and thoroughly researched.

jostber · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2011, 01:46:36 PM »

And today the Son House book arrived, so all is well!

rjtwangs · « **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2011, 08:21:24 PM »

I absolutely loved this book!! It took me back many years, remembering when I first heard and fell in love with MJH. I listened to every MJH disc that I have as I read every page, it just made the whole thing come alive for me. This and the Broonzy book have had a great impact on me in the last few months, I can't wait to read the Son House bio...

RJ

Pan · « **Reply #20 on:** November 23, 2011, 04:56:32 PM »

After wolfing the book too fast, just in a couple of days, I'm rereading it for the second time through. If you love MJH, I think it's a must have.

Cheers

Pan

Mr.OMuck · « **Reply #21 on:** January 16, 2012, 09:07:17 AM »

Has anyone done a real review of this book yet?

Stuart · « **Reply #22 on:** January 16, 2012, 09:57:58 AM »

Quote from: Mr.OMuck on January 16, 2012, 09:07:17 AM

Has anyone done a real review of this book yet?

Not that I'm aware of. I read it and I recommend it, but that is far from a "real review."

Bunker Hill · « **Reply #23 on:** January 16, 2012, 10:52:29 AM »

Here's a short one from the evergreen critic Ron Weinstock

http://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2011/07/life-and-legacy-of-mississippi-john.html

Check out elsewhere on his blog for reviews of Son House, Broonzy and Hopkins biogs.

bnemerov · « **Reply #24 on:** January 16, 2012, 11:04:17 AM »

Mr. O'
Blues & Rhythm; The Gospel Truth (Brit mag) has one by Howard Rye in current issue, and Living Blues has. Review by Scott Barretta.

CD also getting reviewed: Blackgrooves <<http://blackgrooves.org/>> an on-line mag of and by serious African-American culture-vultures; and in Old Time Herald by our own Lyle L.
best,
Bruce

Norfolk Slim · « **Reply #25 on:** January 16, 2012, 12:14:55 PM »

I keep meaning to get this, but its still very expensive in the UK... The equivalent of $50 for the hardback on Amazon. $25.55 on US Amazon.

Even the kindle version is the equivalent of $28 in the UK!.

Rockdale · « **Reply #26 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:51:27 PM »

My brother just got this as a gift for me last week. I'm about a third of the way through it now and it's great so far. Has anyone heard the new MJH Discovery recordings that were released a few months ago?

http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Rebirth-Mississippi-John-Hurt/dp/B005L3HKCC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1326772172&sr=8-5

Rivers · « **Reply #27 on:** January 16, 2012, 08:21:49 PM »

Thanks for the reminder about this disk. I just sampled the tracks on Amazon, sounds pretty indispensable to me and I ordered the CD. Love the rooster chiming-in on Got The Blues, that's really funny.

Rockdale · « **Reply #28 on:** January 18, 2012, 07:08:59 AM »

I just ordered the Discovery CD from Amazon this morning.

DanceGypsy · « **Reply #29 on:** October 17, 2013, 10:37:41 AM »

Played a gig at the Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale MS this past weekend (for the Pinetop Perkins Homecoming Festical) and Guy at the Shack threw a copy of this book in with our pay! I had eyed it in their gift shop the last couple of times we were down, and I guess he caught me looking this time and decided I needed to have it. I'm about 20 pages in and am loving it. Maybe I'll write a full review when I get through.

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Author Topic: Mississippi John Hurt: His Life, His Times, His Blues (Read 5653 times)