Michael Hurley – Hi Fi Snock Uptown

If you haven’t been following his career since the 1970’s (when he was collaborating with the likes of the Holy Modal Rounders and Jesse Colin Young) then you probably discovered him in the past couple of years via Devendra Banhart’s & Andy Cabic’s label Gnomonsong, who have released Hurley’s recent recordings.

 

Hurley’s debut album, First Songs, was recorded for Folkways Records in 1965 on the same reel-to-reel machine that taped Lead Belly’s Last Sessions. He was discovered by blues and jazz historian Frederick Ramsey III, and subsequently championed by boyhood friend Jesse Colin Young, who released Hurley’s next two album on The Youngbloods’ Warner Brother’s imprint, Raccoon. How’s that for cred?

 

In the 1970s, Hurley made three albums for Rounder Records; Have Moicy! (1975), Long Journey (1976), and Snockgrass (1980) which after being out of print for decades are now being reissued on Light In The Attic Records.

 

In recent years, tours with Son Volt and high praise from younger performers like Lucinda Williams, Vic Chesnutt, Calexico, and Cat Power, have increased Hurley’s legend.

 

Originally released in 1971

Pressed on black vinyl

Features beloved songs, ‘Water Train’, ‘The Twilight Zone’, ‘Eyes, Eyes’ and ‘Blue Driver’!

 

Michael Hurley’s classic third LP. Originally recorded in 1971, this record finds Hurley exploring the full range of his stylistic canon and features some of his most loved songs such as ‘Water Train’, ‘The Twilight Zone’, ‘Eyes, Eyes’ and ‘Blue Driver’.

 

A1 – Blue Driver – 3:37

A2 – Water Train – 2:55

A3 – The Sun Is Slowly Sinkin’ – 3:05

A4 – Old Black Crow – 0:46

A5 – The Twilight Zone – 5:00

A6 – I’m Worried I’m Worried – 2:57

A7 – In Florida – 2:27

B1 – Mr. Whiskerwits – 4:00

B2 – Lilly Pads Upon The Pond – 3:05

B3 – Eyes Eyes – 2:41

B4 – The Girl I Love – 2:09

B5 – Uncle Bob’s Corner – 3:41

B6 – Rat Face – 0:22

B7 – Trinidad – 4:27