| Details / Tracklist: |
1.1 Blue Mountain1.2 You Get Down By the Pool Hall Clickety Clack - Sister Song1.3 I Like My Wine1.4 No, No, No, I Won't Come (Go) Down No More1.5 The Tea Song1.6 Just a Bum1.7 Raven Rock - They Took Away the Diesel1.8 Fat Mama1.9 The Animal Song - If I Could Ramble Like a Hound1.10 Captain Kidd1.11 Intersoular Blues1.12 The Werewolf Song |
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| Description: | A self-taught folk singer and guitarist, Michael Hurley plays music reflective of his upbringing in the rural backcountry of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Recorded when he was 22, First Songs was released in 1964 and is described by album producer and recording engineer Frederic Ramsey Jr.. as less frenetic, more in-looking, more expressive than his early rambling days on the road. Hurley's compositions from First Songs and other albums have been recorded by many contemporary artists including Espers, Vetiver, the Violent Femmes, and Cat Power. 12 tracks, 50 minutes, with liner notes which include Hurley's biography and song lyrics."First Songs" is a CD release by American singer-songwriter Michael Hurley, presented here in a carefully produced edition by Smithsonian Folkways. The album captures Hurley's early songwriting voice: sparse, intimate folk-blues pieces, delivered with his unmistakably homespun vocal style and gently rolling guitar. Listeners will find a collection of songs that feel like lost back-porch recordings--unvarnished, emotionally direct, and full of subtle humor and melancholy. The sound is warm and organic, focusing on storytelling and mood rather than studio gloss, making this CD an ideal introduction for anyone curious about Hurley's unique corner of American folk.
Michael Hurley is regarded as a true cult figure of American folk music. Emerging in the 1960s, he developed a singular, idiosyncratic style that blends folk, country, blues, and a touch of surreal storytelling. Over the decades, his recordings have earned him a dedicated following in underground and indie circles, influencing later generations of singer-songwriters who appreciate his raw authenticity and outsider perspective. While never a mainstream star, Hurley's reputation as an original and enduring voice in folk music has grown steadily, with his early work often cited as particularly important for understanding his artistry.
The manufacturer, Smithsonian Folkways, is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution and is dedicated to documenting and preserving sound recordings of cultural, historical, and artistic significance from around the world. Known for its meticulous archival work and extensive catalog, the label issues both historic reissues and contemporary recordings, placing strong emphasis on context, liner notes, and long-term availability. A release on Smithsonian Folkways signals that the music is considered part of a broader cultural heritage, curated with care for both sound quality and documentation. |
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| No. of tracks: |
12 |
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| Manufacturer No.: |
FG3581 |
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Folk
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