British guitarist analyses 1920's guitar INNOVATOR Mississippi John Hurt!

[@wingsofpegasus]

TIME STAMPS - 0:45 Performance 3:35 Analysis Start 6:25 The Playing (Syncopation) 9:13 G Chord Movement 11:01 Second Finger on the Right Hand 13:41 Vocal Delivery 15:01 History/Career

[@mydailybread7]

Moving. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🌟

[@ziggylayneable]

Please do a video on "Dave Van Ronk".I could give you a link,but it's your channel type his name and pick a video.Any will do

[@keithwigley1256]

And don't forget Bob Brosman dude...

[@cindypowers4993]

Fil, I love it when you pick up the guitar and explain the various chords,etc. Makes me appreciate how much goes into playing ♥️

[@jwlangley7417]

Thank you Fil l for keeping these artists alive

[@grahampaulkendrick7845]

Mississippi John was rediscovered in the spring of '63 and passed away in late '66. What a lovely man and musician. God rest his soul!

[@Chihome]

During this new day of recycled, mass produced and digitally manufactured music, thank you for continuing to showcase these great artists!

[@keithwigley1256]

I will second that

[@johnrife7134]

There's still good ernest music out there but you can't just pick it up passively. You have to seek it out and keep your ears open. Always look for new artists and support them.

[@rottingpotatoes2483]

Recycled, mass produced music has been around for a long time. Great artists still exist today.

[@samosasosa6684]

way ahead of his time was his trouble. one of the true first great blues players. Also blessed music, nothing gross what a refreshing feeling.

[@stewartfenton7660]

​@@samosasosa6684John was what was called a songster, one of the last among that tradition I believe. Leadbelly was another. They both had a wide repertoire of songs which included the occasional blues. But they were not blues singers.

[@JR-pr8jb]

Remarkable how much we viewers can learn about traditional American music from a young Brit!

[@patricias5122]

Yes, but let's recognize that it was Black Americans who created this music, and it has been here all along

[@jamesupton5601]

I love how his musical start was so isolated from other prevalent styles, that it wasn't blues or gospel, it was his own.

[@Dubinvero]

This was recorded in 1966 on Pete Seeger’s “Rainbow Quest” program. There are a number of videos of MJH from this program on You Tube. Mississippi John inspired many players to take up fingerstyle guitar. Definitely one of the all time greats.

[@Crunkboy415]

Travis picking was originally from black bluesman like John Hurt, notably Arnold Schulz.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@icanfartloud]

@@Crunkboy415 Looks like what a banjo player does with picks on their fingers, of course, without picks

[@kedalsj]

What's really great about Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest (1965-66) is that you can nearly always see what the players are doing.

[@robertsmyth4998]

@@Crunkboy415 Father of bluegrass Bill Monroe cites Arnold Shultz a major influence in his music , Arnold played with Charlie and Bill early thirties ☘️☘️☘️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@jimji5116]

I saw Mississippi John Hurt live at the 1965 Newport Folk music festival!

[@craigmcc1982]

You could set your clock to that right thumb. Overwhelmingly talented but with a genuine humility. One of the greatest.

[@TheDivayenta]

It brings tears to my eyes when I see brilliant influential artists like this who walked through a lifetime of threatening horror in the Jim Crow South.

[@Udontsay948]

Don’t forget to vote, Baby. Jim Crow picked up friends lately….

[@TheDivayenta]

@@Udontsay948 I always vote. Even the Dog catcher must be a Dem or Independent ! Mein Hut es hat drei Ecken!

[@shaunw9270]

Yes Fil ! Brilliant! Mississippi John Hurt, an absolute favourite of mine. Thanks for hopefully bringing him to more people's attention. His recordings from 1928 are stone cold classics and his life story is equally fascinating.

[@shaunw9270]

@Ronald Raygun I guess it was luck that the original recordings survived the depression in tact. As you know , back then they recorded direct to a master disc rather than magnetic tape and less than half of those recordings of MJH were released as shellac 10" singles. Unfortunately lots of recordings by other artists were destroyed or lost , Robert Johnson being a prime example ,so even some of the best cd's are only as good as the old shellac record they transferred to tape years later .

[@sunnihunny]

Being a lifelong resident of Mississippi, I am always glad when we get any positive renown. Thank you for this wonderful commentary on a wonderful man. We get a lot of flack about a lot of things but these things can hardly be contested...our musicians, our singers, our blues 😉

[@cindypowers4993]

Hands down, no contest Barbara..... you speak the truth!! National treasures 👍

[@sunnihunny]

@@cindypowers4993 thank you, Cindy!

mary frances hurt hosts a homecoming festival BBQ weekend in the fall in avalon near greenwood off rte.#7 at the museum site. i've been attending since 2015. try to make it up there sometime if you've never been. what part of of mississippi are you in?

[@sunnihunny]

@ oh my I have been NEEEEDING some good bbq! That sounds like so much fun. Maybe I can make it next fall. It wouldn't be far from me. I'm in northeast Mississippi .

[@bluesingmusic3443]

I lived in Meridian in 1980. Absolutely loved Mississippi. That's a place where I coukd buy all the Blues albums I wanted to.(much to the chagrin of my 1st wife👌) Great, friendly, people as well.

[@scottcrosby-art5490]

Ridiculously talented, I listen to his stuff regularly

[@konstantia1607]

The head is reeling just trying to sort out how he managed such complicated stuff all at once. And he does look and sound totally relaxed. How ingenious he was! And I only keep marvelling at how you bring out the fascinating things in these performances. Thanks Fil.

[@lornatonack2514]

One of my favourite guitar players of all time. And his singing ... well I’m just lost for words ...beautiful

[@theesbband]

Well done Fil: this is just astonishing. It's damn' nearly running clawhammer and incredibly accurate: he holds a pattern bassline as well as another instrument: and his amazing voice is an object lesson to us all. It's not hard to see why MJH is/was held in such reverence by the likes of Rory Gallagher, Eric Clapton, Pete Green and the great musicologists of my, ahem, youth. The almighty Robert Johnson managed to get three lines going at once. Magical. Worth 500 hours of fabricated girl/boy "bands." I love this guy and he didn't play a bad note.

[@patricias5122]

Yes, it's true that: He was much respected by Eric Clapton, Steve Miller, John Philips ... .but he was a masterful and fine Black musician before those White artists discovered him, it must be said. He was very esteemed by Black blues artists all of his life.

[@kurtisle]

Thanks Fil for hitting on my favorite music. The song: An old American traditional gospel folk song, dating back to its first known recording in 1927 by old-time musician David Miller. That's the history of American Music right there. I have a special place in my heart for the folks like Mississippi John Hurt who pioneered the blues. How about some Son House?

[@estelleadamski308]

You cannot sing this song properly unless you have indeed "Walked that Lonesome Valley" This is amazing and timeless! This guy walked it !

[@stefanschleps8758]

This is by far my favorite video of yours. Thank you for pointing out the technical skills of John Hurt. I can now appreciate this legend more fully. To a humble fan such as myself he is one of the greatest bluesmen there has ever been. Thanks again for his history. Peace.

[@suehollar2578]

Such a great singer singing such a humble song. I never would have caught the syncopated rhythm and finger style without this video. It gives " a world of hurt" a whole new meaning!

[@wingsofpegasus]

😂👍

[@suehollar2578]

@Yes Sir! Whoa, I never expected that. They are both dark. Especially since my name is Sue... "Going to grab my gun and kill ol Susie". Yikes!

[@ivannovotny4552]

@@suehollar2578 And let's not forget Johnny Cash's "Boy named Sue." 🤔

[@suehollar2578]

@@ivannovotny4552 yeah I grew up with that one. My Dad played it all the time

[@ivannovotny4552]

@@suehollar2578 Awesome, i also liked "The Moral Of The Story" of Boy Named Sue. ☺️

[@johnnymossville]

I love the humble mastery in both his playing and singing. He makes it all look so easy.

[@appalachiangunman9589]

Singing while playing at this skill level is very impressive. You’re right, he does make it look effortless.

[@keithwigley1256]

Will second that..

[@cindypowers4993]

Yes, Mississippi John Hurt did play at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 here in my home state of Rhode Island! Amazing his finger dexterity and coordination. Pure Delta blues 👍🎸

[@JR-pr8jb]

Nice bonus lesson on "Travis picking" going way back in time!

[@ursafan40]

Great find. Camera man or director must be a guitar player The gentlest of all the old Bluesmen. Even his sad songs have an uplifting effect. Good job getting the right hand down that well on short notice :-)

[@toughlikerocks]

It was from a Pete Seeger show called Rainbow Quest. They had many excellent players on and you could tell the focus was on the musicians so I'm every episode you get a great view of the fretboard and right hand. Shockingly great production values for a public access show from the 60s! They're all on KZbin. Rev. Gary Davis, Roscoe Holcomb, Jonny and June Cash, and many, many more I can't remember. Just a ton of amazing musicians. We are blessed to have access to such historically and musically important footage.

[@greghudzik3770]

Thanks to you Fil I could pick up on Mr.Hurt's finger style with the close up on his right hand. I could realize this was something special. Before watching a bunch of your videos I would have said, "Oh, nice tube." and not noticed the absolute skill demonstrated. Thanks again, Fil!

[@gnpahdc]

Thank you for your academic, practical and artistic excellence - and your honoring of and reverence for these greats of the past. Thanks for being a role model on this platform. Peace.

[@AndyZach]

One of my favorite videos of yours. I watched the right hand carefully and noted the first two fingers and thumb playing independently a polyphonic song. I love blues guitar and this was great.

[@jamminwithjambo7729]

Appreciations for your discerning eyes and ears.

[@antonkrog843]

1:30 I know that feeling! Everytime I listen to his songs I can't help but smile! Such a deeply rooted, kind old man. Never had much, a normal farmhand was how he spent his days earning a harsh living. One can't help but smile and feel the love in his picking!

[@ivannovotny4552]

Wow, what a treat! Mississippi John Hurt - and also Pete Seeger and his sister Peggy in that clip. - It doesn't get any better than this. Also as the story goes; when John was rediscovered later on as a farmer - after 35 years hiatus by Tom Hoskins - he didn't own any guitar. (Shame.) Thank you Fil for awesome choice for putting spotlight on my very favorite and also your knowledgeable analysis.

[@chriskeefer629]

That's actually Hadie West, and Fred Van Epps!

[@petecartwright5211]

MY dad was overseas during Vietnam, twice, and the first time back brought with him a stereo he bought in Hong Kong. He also bought a TEAC reel to reel recorder. The first time I heard John Hurt was a Newport Folk Festival record and I'll never forget listening to "John Henry." I was a fan ever since. Great stuff, Fil!

[@paulacorreira3943]

Wish I had seen him at the Newport Jazz Festival. Somewhere I've heard him singing John Henry and used it in a class. The class was mesmerized.

[@petecartwright5211]

@@paulacorreira3943 I'm familiar with the Newport Jazz fest but I'm 98% certain this was a "Folk" festival. It was a long time ago, but I recall some of the other big "Folk" acts. MJH started his set with C.C. Rider. This album must have been released in 67, 68 or 69 "Evening people, glad for you to see me the first little number I'm gonna do is C.C. Rider..."

[@paulacorreira3943]

@@petecartwright5211 Sorry, it's just habit. I live near Newport and I guess old habits die hard. I think The Jazz Festival was instituted a few years or so before the Folk Festival so locals just referred to the festivals as the Jazz Festival because it was first. It could be too that the Folk Festival was suspended for awhile and only the Jazz Festival remained at different times. Yes, I know it's sloppy; today, people are much better at breaking them out correctly. Mea culpa.

[@petecartwright5211]

@@paulacorreira3943 My dad may still have that album. They retired and left the mainland so, it may have been sold off with other things they didn't want to drag across the ocean. If he's still got, it's unplayable. I must have scratched the entire thing. Both sides...

[@paulacorreira3943]

@@petecartwright5211 I can picture it, Pete- all scratched up and loved :) But seriously, I found a video of Hurt playing John Henry and used it for an ESL class for adults I was teaching. We read the story of John Henry and then I played the video and everyone was speechless at his performance. Then we looked up Hurt and decided there was no one better to sing the song of John Henry. It was one of those amazing teaching moments.

[@Karol-ds1qs]

There is a deep meaning in the Lonesome Valley song. Who experienced it knows what is this legend signing about...

[@andrevolker]

I'm glad you discovered Seeger's Rainbow Quest; it's such a treasure trove. I've always considered John Hurt the epitome of Delta Blues. Bass and the melody on one guitar, and a real voice on top of that. His voice always touches me, it is so incredibly warm and tender. I believe you are now experiencing what people like Clapton, Mayall Beck, Green etc were hit by when they bought some obscure American records in the early sixties ;)

[@drewpall2598]

André Volker As You may know all of the 39 episodes of "Rainbow Quest" was at one point on the verge of being lost forever. I am glad to see they have been preserved for future generations.

[@cguzelli1]

Hi Fil: thanks for showcasing one of my favorite "pre-war" blues artists. If you can call him "blues" as he was unique in that his style was so different than his contemporaries. John recorded all his sides for OKeh in 1928 and as you mentioned went back to Avalon, MS. I traveled around America for my job. A side benefit of travel was getting opportunities to visit places of musical interest while doing business. One of my first trips to Mississippi took me to Avalon where if I had a screwdriver with me, I would had taken the 'Avalon" sign. I located the approximate place where John may have lived according to a local and was able to pick cotton from the same field that John did as a sharecropper. It sits on my mantle. That same trip took me to Grenada, MS where I thought John was laid to rest. Subsequent trips took me to the Crossroads on 61 and Indianola, MS, where B.B. King was born and grew up. John's style makes you smile. A friend at work heard my CD of John Hurt's OKeh sessions. The guy never played guitar before and at 36 years old, he bought a 1929 National Resonator and taught himself to do the alternating bass and finger picking. It took months for him to master the alternating bass with thumb while working in the other fingers. Drove his wife nuts! There's a lot of video out there due to John's return to performing and this particular performance was from 1965. Glad to see he got his dues. As the saying goes - better late than never. Great video!

[@carlosreira413]

Thanks for that story. Somewhere I saw a picture of his grave, humble little stone in the weeds. Just as it should be. A priceless secret to those who know.

[@cguzelli1]

@@carlosreira413 - It did take some time as no one in Avalon seemed to know of John. Stopped in a store and the old man directed me to Saint James Cemetary. Without his help, I'd never had found it.

[@carlosreira413]

@@cguzelli1 Amazing. It would lovely to do a mini documentary if you have photos. I'll never forget the first time my brother put on the Rounder Records (I think) "MIssippi John Hurt Today." He, being a good guitarist, learned all the numbers, but in open tuning, which worked quite well. But John seems to have mostly played in the key of C in standard tuning. The sound was the cotton fields, the suffering, the hope of some essentially American things. And even the Candyman came off holy, I don't know how.

[@cguzelli1]

@@carlosreira413 - what a true documentary of "Country Blues" would be to feature all the great artists of this style who came long before Robert Johnson. Don't get me wrong, I like Johnson's songs a lot, but to call him the father of "Country Blues" is a disservice to all those who played it long before he did in 1936. Nor is there one style of country blues. Johnson had the advantage of Columbia Records in the early 1960's by rereleasing his works on LP which is where Clapton probably heard his music for the first time. Other artists who recorded on Black Patti, Black Swan, Paramount, etc., never got the same exposure.

[@carlosreira413]

@@cguzelli1 Thanks for that reply. Amazing American history. Some of this might have been touched on in the Country Music doc done by Burns, but only scratching the surface of the African American experience. What connection was there to ragtime? Had to be quite a bit. Also the rise of the guitar over the banjo as a minstrel instrument has to coincide with the availability of guitars as consumer objects. Here we would look at Martin and Gibson, especially their lower cost models, and other competitors. We all know that slide guitar was often a necessity on instruments with unplayable action. Lots to cover. I'm waiting for it!

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Mississippi John Hurt is one of my happy places

[@debravirden7130]

Bless you for showcasing an American legend. Mr. Hurt illustrates American folk music roots.

[@virginia3619]

WOW! I love syncopated rhythm. What a beautiful, clear, and interesting demonstration of Hurt's meaningful and unique music. Thank you, Fil. Peace.

[@TheOneStoneAngell]

Mr. Fil you are soooo good at breaking it down, and also so kind in doing so. Thank you.

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

Fil, thank you so much for this analysis video. Mississippi John Hurt was my number one inspiration for picking up the guitar. His gentle singing and intricate guitar picking sounded like nothing else that I had ever heard. His music continues to delight new generations of players and listeners.

[@alanmaxfield8770]

FIL! Thank you so much for all of the hard work and dedication that you put into keeping the lesser known facts and history of our artists alive. If you ever get a chance to visit the Library of Congress in the U.S. you can see recordings of MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT, LEDBELLIE (whose real name was Huddie Ledbetter) and various other artists of this era who were recorded on wax cylinders by a gentleman by the name Alan Lomax. Just a little known fact to be heard and hopefully not forgotten is that Lomax went to ANGOLA State Penitenitary in the state of Louisiana to record LEDBELLIE who was to be released shortely and Lomax ws afraid that he would not be able to track him down upon his release. Thank you once again FIL.

[@startsontime]

your analysis opens my appreciation of music in ways I never would have been capable of otherwise.

[@MD-km2jw]

Absolute brilliant analysis Fil. I was smiling through the whole video

[@lynndow3185]

I think this is from Pete Seeger's "Rainbow Quest" show with Hedy West and Mississippi John Hurt on 19th of May, 1966. (same shirt on Mississippi John). Here's the link...He's at about 52 minutes in, speaking about when he was eight years old, such a sweet humble man. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5C8eHanlJJ4r5o

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Thank you

[@abbydubois3112]

Just watched the whole thing lynn, loved it! Thanks

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@bluesingmusic3443]

Great find.(I saw this when it was aired. Yes I know it's miraculous as I just turned 21, for the 33rd time in Dec.)

[@richardmooney6800]

God Bless America and all the blues that this young country has given to the world black and white plus the spectrum of the universe

[@89blackcamaro]

Love john hurt heard this hundred times

[@jamesrusso2523]

H was discovered when he was an old man. Great bluesman/ picker

[@HollowayIP]

MJH is the only artist I listen to these days, probably everyday, he's in my work shop, on my phone, in my car and in my bedroom, about 60 plus songs I have of his, each one a gem. I also play the guitar myself Mississippi John Hurt alternating bass style.

[@pflannelly]

His right-hand positioning is very close to what three-finger "Scruggs" style banjo players use. Anchoring his picking hand to the soundboard with his pinky. alternating thumb on the low strings, pointer finger on the B string, and middle finger on the E punctuated with pinches on the beat. The left hand also employs synchronized slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs in a way typical of that style too. Very cool. Thanks for posting.

[@brianf9615]

John Hurt was a gem. John had the ability to sing the blues with such restraint.

[@gaoyoude]

Fil, from a non-musician thanks for the enlightening commentary on MJH’s guitar artistry as well as your enthusiastic account of his life and times!

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Thank you. He was magic❤️

[@michellewilsdon294]

Thank you so much for this, he inspired my brother, who definitely worked at this finger picking style. Again more music which percolated through my younger days. Blues and Folk, the map for my own "walk of the Lonesome Valley." xxx

[@EmpressMermaid]

This man and those like him are at the roots of all of the music we love today. I hope everyone appreciates what they did.

[@Hasdarubal]

10:53 "entering a world of Hurt". Nice! Great video thank you.

[@woodLG]

Like what you said about how hard this song is to learn, how brilliant and intimate it is and natural. I been playing a long time, and this song is forcing me to rethink and relearn my right hand approach. It’s wild!

[@wenbren]

So pure!

[@carlosreira413]

Truly a angelic soul.

[@jimthompson606]

John made some famous records in the 1920's but got out of music and returned to farming in Mississippi. His early work was discovered during the folk music revival but nobody knew where he lived. But he had mentioned his hometown Avalon on one of his songs. Somebody went there to find him and there he was sharecropping near Avalon Mississippi.

[@86Sporty86]

I learned Johns songs back in the 70s, this set me up for all the fingerstyle I enjoy to this day. I'm 62 now and I still get goosebumps when I listen to him. If you want to learn this style, check out Stefan Grosman. Thank you for your channel!!

[@chrissibersky4617]

What a great review. He's such a legend.

[@tortoisedreams6369]

Just lovely. One of my favorites. Thanks! You did him proud.

[@charleslloyd4253]

This was recorded in Washington at the Library Of Congress in 1964.Two years before his death. He had no one to teach him how to play. So he developed his style so he could play songs that he heard by bands. Hurt was the key to discovering other old blues and folk musicians and singers. Thus leading the whole Black blues blues and folk movement in the sixties. John Hurt was my go to music on Sunday mornings. When I was trying to get over Saturday night in the 70s.

[@peppers1587]

So glad you did him. I have been love listening to John Hurt when I have been hiking. Especially this 🎶 song.

[@Tungadunger]

I love Mississippi John Hurt! Thanks for this.

[@dalem8332]

Masterful bluesy beautiful playing . LOVE this performance. I've heard John Hurt before and have so much respect for the man. Amazing. Great analysis and demo Fil! ♥️🎼🎶🇨🇦

[@rrondaa1967]

😍Love me some good ol'true Blues! 💡Haven't seen a Razorlight video yet 💭 🕊 PEACE 💜 BLESSINGS 👼

[@randyodom3804]

He was born March 8, 1892 in Teoc, Mississippi.

[@robfisher8638]

So cool for you to take on this long time gone national treasure. Love it

[@georgemanos754]

Great video Fil! I'm a huge fan of John Hurt since 1981. Thanx!

[@OldBillOverHill]

So cool watching you demo.

[@Dre9six]

I stumbled acorss MJH's music about a year or 2 ago and it's been a real pleasure to be able to learn some of his songs on guitar, his music is almost literally the only thing I play these days!

[@pickerdad8402]

Thanks Fil! You're doing a great service by spreading the word about John Hurt, his songs, and his playing style. It's familiar territory to those of us lucky enough to live where John plied his trade, but it hasn't always been known or so clearly explained to those outside of Canada and USA.

[@glamgal7106]

As you eloquently put it in the title, Mississippi John Hurt was a guitar innovator indeed. I appreciated your analysis of his musicianship and guitar demonstration--even the most experienced musician has to practice, practice, practice to get it right. From watching you play, I can see that this style of playing is not easy. Though my main instrument is the piano/keyboard, I've taken guitar lessons which included picking styles--because of the slight carpal tunnel on my left hand(not my dominant hand), I have to go slowly on the guitar playing and not rush in. Anyway, thanks again for keeping 'em coming, Fil!

[@DrCowinabox]

Hurt is my favorite guitar player of all time. He had such a profound impact on contemporary music. Anyone who loves the guitar and doesn't own a copy of "worried blues" is really doing themselves a disservice. I think it's some of his best recordings, all of which can be tricky to find online.

[@ericiverson3441]

Its really beautiful playing and totally MUSICAL. An example to me.

[@kurtisle]

The Mississippi Blues is a Rabbit Hole. I recommend it.

[@nineteen8486]

it doesn't end

[@DrHenley]

If you are ever in Memphis, take a short trip down to Clarksdale, MS and visit the Delta Blues Museum. And while you are there go across the street and eat at Ground Zero, Morgan Freeman's blues club.

[@snuffyballparks6501]

John Hurt along with Doc & Merle Watson are my favorite acoustic guitar players. Just fantastic.

[@barriepotter3753]

I’ve just got to hear the opening chords of any song played by Mississippi John Hurt and I start smiling, and then when I hear his voice -It’s ear to ear!

[@antt5112]

So glad you covered him

[@susantownsend8397]

Oh, wow! I love that you go back to such a wide variety of musical styles. I don’t play guitar but I love this music and your vids enhance my enjoyment by helping me understand it. I’m thinking about how Southern Gospel influenced Paul Simon at one point.

[@jeffreysturgill7668]

Love Mississippi John Hurt

[@HollowayIP]

There is something unique about the alternating bass style. It may be relative to other styles too, but it seems that songs you learn are quickly attached to your memory and are played out of the back of your mind, as you mentioned. This doesn't require thinking about it as you play, in fact you better not think too much or you'll lose the song. You mostly concentrate on hearing the notes and maybe rocking a little bit to stay into it. Your fingers move automatically to the sound.

[@pickerdad8402]

Indeed, that alternating bass becomes subconscious. I realized as a teenager in the 60s that it was essential to ALL blues, folk, and country music. Largely due to Merle Travis who popularized it back in the 30's as Hollywood's "singing cowboy". The smartest thing I ever did was to spend a few weeks with a guitar around my neck playing non-stop alternating bass, to the chords of whatever song I could think of. Eventually I could keep that alternating bass going while watching TV, later while reading, and when I could keep it going while having a conversation with an understanding friend or some long-suffering family member, I was programmed for life. For my entire adult life, I have been able to play intricate finger-picking that sounds professional for any song, just by knowing the chords.

[@mariorabottini5687]

Just amazing Fil! John’s guitar brilliance is incredible. His right hand picking is just beautiful to watch! A real pleasure just sitting and relaxing watching and listening to this talented man! Cheers Mario! 😀👌👍

[@eazyrider6122]

Brilliant review. I love his music, Thanks for the history lesson as well.

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

An incredible story & analysis, so fascinating.

[@bobwallace1880]

Wonderful Fil. You provide so much enjoyment. Your research is spot on. Thanks again.

[@BOOMNERD51]

Thanks, Fil. Last night my internet kept dropping out, so I missed this great video!

[@oldrogue4247]

In 1963, I attended John's 70th birthday get-together at a private home in Bethesda, MD. He knew I was a banjo player, so he asked be to accompany him on several of his songs. John Fahey was also in attendance, but didn't play, as he was in his "experimental period." We finished the evening with 'Amazing Grace,' sung a cappella. Between verses, the lady standing next to me - whom I assumed to be John's wife - said in a loud voice; "Lawd John! Listen to this chile sing! I was greatly embarrassed.

[@Udontsay948]

Love you with all my heart, Fil. This is how my grandparents sounded.

[@visitur4914]

One of my favorite guitar players, if not my favorite! Love this performance.

[@lynettekomidar]

Cameraman knows exactly what he is doing, this is from the Pete Seeger Show, girl is Hedy West

[@Johncooke215]

Awesome stuff, thanks for this one! Would love to see you analyze some more country blues legends. Mississippi Fred McDowell performing Shake Em on Down and RL Burnside performing Jumper on the Line, would be amazing! Cheers.

[@andrewmair7371]

Beautifully analysed & documented as always Fil… 👍😊

[@mysteriowc]

Man, I love your videos!! You are so great in breaking them down.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@stoneyascension7250]

Just beautiful!

[@kyotocoversjimanderson782]

That was indeed some cool guitar playing, and a great analysis.

[@georgemanos754]

A guy had commented below this video : “They use John’s thumb to adjust the world atomic clock” Absolutely right! Solid as a rock! Fil, I'm so happy to find out that you make videos about this kind of musicians. Thanx!.

[@marypulley6512]

Thank you Fil, my son has a big collection of this old music, very timeliness and BEYOND VALUABLE ,I LOVE IT.

[@cassvirgillo3395]

Hello Fil, Mississippi John, the real deal. Your guitar playing is also very good, and, to me, your analysis just wouldn't be the same without the guitar. It makes many aspects of the analysis easier to understand and learn all that is going on. Still a favorite channel, Thank you for sharing all the great musicians or artists you feature. Maybe check out Gabriella Quevedo at Gabriella 9797 on KZbin, a very talented finger style guitarist from Sweden, if only for yourself. All the best from Oregon, C.

[@exaled11]

1966, maybe late '65. This was one of Pete's 'The Rainbow Quest' TV shows. Here he is sitting with Hedy West, herself quite an accomplished singer and banjo player. John was to die peacefully in his sleep not long after this.

[@johnpowys5755]

Perhaps the John Hurt song I enjoy most is Here I am Lord Send Me, which similarly has this G position sliding between the 3rd 5th and 7th frets. I'm trying to learn it again after many years of not playing guitar. Years ago somebody asked me how I could remember to do all that stuff with my right hand and I was surprised that they thought it had anything to do with memory - now I'm surprised that I used to b able to keep that alternating bass and the syncopation going without thinking about it.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Look at those fingers! He worked as a Sharecropper in Mississippi so he knew hard work. His songs about God and Jesus were a reaction to living a Hell on Earth due to the racial situation. And he developed his relationship with a guitar into such a gift. So glad that Pete was able to document this.

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Thanks ,another newbie . Wow so many good musicians out there . ❤️