Erin Harpe — “Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me: A Tribute to Mississippi John Hurt” —
VizzTone / Juicy Juju Records
The music of Mississippi John Hurt has always been a favorite of mine. I first heard his music when I saw him perform a year or so before his 1966 death, still working blues magic with his gentle, finger-picking style.
The timeless, universal quality of Hurt’s blues gives it an air of effortless simplicity, but his syncopated rhythms and lyrical sophistication make it difficult to capture Hurt’s musical style.
At least until someone like Erin Harpe comes along.
Harpe and her husband and co-performer, bassist Jim Countryman, have pulled together a gorgeous tribute to Hurt’s music with Harpe channeling the Mississippi guitarist’s inventive essence into this elegant album.
The Boston-based Harpe has released “Mermaid” on her own label, Juicy Juju Records, her fifth release through the VizzTone group. It follows another acoustic album, “Meet Me in the Middle,” which won Album of the Year honors from the New England Music Awards. Of that effort, she says, “When I listen to the blues, it makes me want to cry — it’s a part of me. But before making this album, I felt I was neglecting the acoustic blueswoman in me.”
About “Mermaid,” Harpe says: “This album was a real labor of love. I’ve always loved Mississippi John Hurt’s music, since I was a little girl! Listening to my dad play his songs around the house. I learned several of Hurt’s songs as a teenager, and his guitar style has greatly influenced my playing, with its alternating bass thumb-picking and syncopated melodic runs.”
Harpe has picked nine of Hurt’s instantly recognizable songs for the session, and one lesser-known but no less impressive song, the eloquently fatalistic title track: “When my earthly trials are over / Cast my body out in the sea / Save the undertaker bills / Let the mermaids flirt with me.”
The opener is “Candy Man,” the slyly salacious song that may be Hurt’s most well-known effort, no doubt in large part to its whimsical eroticism: “His candy stick don’t melt away / It just gets better, so the ladies say.” Harpe’s tasty take is simply delicious.
The rest of the tracks flow effortlessly and gorgeously through Harpe’s finger-picking and vocal passion for her music. They come together like a miniature greatest hits album, which could easily be expanded to dozens more songs. The album was recorded live at Harpe’s home studio, giving it a casually intimate vibe.
The remaining classic Hurt songs here include “Casey Jones,” “I Got The Blues (Can’t Be Satisfied),” “Richland Woman,” “Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor,” “Frankie,” “Nobody’s Dirty Business,” “Stagolee” and “You Are My Sunshine.” Each one resonates with authenticity this music deserves.
With “Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me,” Erin Harpe reminds us of the timeless greatness of Mississippi John Hurt while simultaneously establishing herself on the top shelf of acoustic blues performers. Do yourself a favor and enjoy both of them in this marvelous recording.
Here’s “Candy Man” from the album:
Tracks:
01. Candy Man
02. Casey Jones
03. Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me
04. I Got The Blues (Can’t Be Satisfied)
05. Richland Woman
06. Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor
07. Frankie
08. Nobody’s Dirty Business
09. Stagolee
10. You Are My Sunshine
Blues Roadhouse 