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2008-02-11

by Don Simpson

Michael Hurley in LA

Summary

Legendary folk singer performs Feb. 10

Article

Sixty-six year old Michael Hurley has been recording music for over forty years. Hurley was discovered in 1964 by blues and jazz historian Frederick Ramsey III. His 1965 Folkways Records debut, First Songs, was recorded on the very same reel-to-reel machine that recorded Leadbelly's Last Sessions.

Hurley spent most of his first decade as a musician living as a hobo, as he heisted produce, robbed trains, hopped trains, trained as an auto mechanic, even worked as a broom-sweep in a small Philadelphia grocery. In 1965, Hurley settled down and moved in with Peter Stampfel of The Holy Modal Rounders; this initiated 15 fruitful and crazed years of collaborations between the two (the Village Voice's Robert Christgau dubbed Have Moicy, Hurley’s 1976 collaboration with the Unholy Modal Rounders and Jeffrey Frederick & The Clamtones, "the greatest folk album of the rock era").

Forty-two years after his debut; the legendary rambler, cartoonist, and “outsider” folk singer released his 20th LP, The Ancestral Swamp. This also marks his debut for Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic’s record label, Gnomonsong. Banhart and Cabic aren’t the only youngsters digging Hurley’s tunes. Hurley provided fiddle-work on Ida’s newest, Lover’s Prayers; whilst Cat Power has covered three Hurley tracks, "Sweedeedee" and "Troubled Water" on The Covers Record and “Werewolf” on You Are Free.

The Ancestral Swamp was produced primarily by Hurley within the solitary confines of his house (with guest appearances by Dave Reisch and Tara Jane O’Neil). Written over the course of seven years, the songs are sparse arrangements rooted deeply in old-time Americana and traditional blues. Hurley’s raspy vocals continuously waver between speaking and singing as they are faithfully accompanied by his guitar, Wurlizter organ, or fiddle.

Dripping with the authenticity of a blues man sitting on his front porch (whether the porch is located in Appalachia or the Devil’s Bayou is left up to the listener to decide) performing solely for the nature which engulfs him, Hurley unabashedly offers up his soul to the heavens as if no other living human will hear what he has to say. It sounds as if he didn’t even know the tape decks were running. This is Hurley, making the most selfish and personal music imaginable as The Ancestral Swamp creates a very particular time, place and peace (and none of which are of this world). Organic, natural and truly free-spirited, Hurley is one of the most unique albeit eccentric folk voices in these modern times while single-handedly exemplifying the roots of American music.

Michael Hurley will be performing in Los Angeles at the upcoming “Arthur Sunday Evening” at McCabes (http://www.mccabes.com/condata.html) on February 10.