Hey Steve
Thanks for posting this, Mississippi John Hurt is one my favorite acoustic blues players. I’ve learned several of his songs and if a person wants to dive into the realm of old time blues,John’s music is an excellent place to start – easier to play than some but he had some licks that will definitely challenge

Here’s A discussion with Stefan Grossman, who knew John personally, learned directly from him and helped him get some gigs after John came to NYC

Just watching those two videos reminded me of how good those blues players were in their day. I also learned a lot from MJH with his rolling tumbling fingerstyle as I called it. Simple but so entertaining.

Richard

Richard G wrote:

Just watching those two videos reminded me of how good those blues players were in their day. I also learned a lot from MJH with his rolling tumbling fingerstyle as I called it. Simple but so entertaining.

Richard

Richard

Your term “MJH with his rolling tumbling fingerstyle” so perfect!! I love watching videos of John playing live and watching that thumb. He was rock solid for sure
This is a great example – and John always bounced his shoulder to keep time as he played

I’ve always thought that Chet Atkins played a sophisticated Merle Travis style with clinical excellence but MJH’s equally rock-solid thumbstyle was uncomplicated and innocent in comparison but totally riveting.

Richard

Richard G wrote:

I’ve always thought that Chet Atkins played a sophisticated Merle Travis style with clinical excellence but MJhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85BvT5X6WSoH’s equally rock-solid thumbstyle was uncomplicated and innocent in comparison but totally riveting.

Richard

So true…. and before I heard Stefan and Tom Feldman talking about John, I told my wife that I always thought that John looked like someone’s grandfather playing guitar on the porch. His looks and demeanor when he was talking to people came across as such a gentle soul.

We need more people like that in this world….

GnLguy wrote:

John’s music is an excellent place to start – easier to play than some but he had some licks that will definitely challenge

Avalon Blues is definitely a challenge. Sounds reasonably simple, key of E, heavy A/B time. It’s actually fiendishly subtle, particularly the breaks where he starts playing up the neck. CAGED theory in motion before anyone thought of calling it that.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone other than MJH nail that song exactly. It’s all about the synchronization of the fretting hand with the picking hand, and his laid back delivery.

You’ve inspired me to revisit it, thanks!

Just tinkering around with Avalon Blues for a moment and the natural tendency is to smooth it out but MJH’s version was very staccato with heavily struck 6th and 4th strings. Bearing in mind that it might well have been originally crafted as a Saturday night dance tune with the breaks designed to be simple and effective without losing the drive.
I agree Mark it seems everyone on YT has a slightly different take on it with some weird and wonderful versions.

Richard