Mississippi John Hurt - You Got To Walk That Lonesome Valley

[miyamototakahiko]

すごすぎる。心にしみる。

[ptercottontail]

incredible

[genemz5]

John Hurt believed every word he sang. It is the best version I've heard,too. He owned it. I thought he wrote it.

[vinylvillela]

The most wonderful things in life seem to be the most simple, like omg dude.

[IWASBINDCANTUC]

@vinylvillela so right ! Steve in York

[timothycharlesorr]

subtly yet deeply soulful

[inthisriver362]

This guy is such an inspiration to live one's life.

[fist2chin]

classic!

[shkeni]

I wish they released more of Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest show (where this is from) on DVD, it was awesome.

[janeandthevlog]

He's lead vocals, lead guitar, backup guitar, and percussion. A true one-man band.

[bobbyjordan37]

ÉPOUSTOUFLANT. , UN MAITRE.

[fghrydscv]

Made me see everything much clearer... ;(

Thx for postin this... Ha changed my Whole prospectives of living..

Ha :) enjoyed it

[LegioVIVictrix]

What a man he was ( is )! Just knowing him would change your whole life.

[kariaudar]

Someone once remarked that the gospel blues is so deep that the world just can´t stand it. I think that applies to this performance - it is soul-wrenching beyond belief.

[dannyapeshit]

* petal *picking, my bad



[dannyapeshit]

pure genius! his rough old hands play as delicate as a flower pedal plucking a harp.

[TheBasenjiman]

Wonder how much he paid for that Martin?

[navaho1946]

UN MUSICIEN SOBRE ET EPOUSTOUFLANT.

[ronnelson82]

I caught this song on an oldies web station and had to hear it again...He sings this song like he believes it...he knows something that we maybe don't know or I guess I don't know...On November 15, 2008, my son walked that lonesome valley...I have torn myself to pieces to figure out why...why did this happen? This song just helped me...I have to walk that lonesome valley...if I knew my son would be there I would walk it now...Thank you John Hurt

[ratstompmusic]

this is the best music there is! if you love raw blues you might like Rat Stomp :)

youtube.com/user/ratstompmusic

Our song Reckless Woman and Searching the Forest have a Delta blues style with slide guitar and fingerpicking

[blueneptun1]

simply great!

[dwightpowers]

This guys is incredible. I've only recently been turned onto his music. Such an amazing talent.

[TheGeorgeFlecknell]

"Ere that I enter the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil". The 23rd Psalm. In case anyone was wondering. I think this song is about death.

[joereadel]

@TheGeorgeFlecknell Hahaha yeah. I'd say so.

[hek7]

He seems like such a nice man.

[BarstowMoose]

Apparently there's 1 who watched this video didn't walk the lonesome valley.

[pjxndvm]

I think his humble man affected a lot more people than he could have ever imagined. I am with you my friend.

[Wuotinsheer]

Wonderfull



[Bdiddly1]

check oot the fingerpickin on him,god i love this old guy!

[superbeavo]

This is THE SHIT!

[chrislliatsos]

holy freaking crap. i saw his fingers move, and heard the song. and it just amazes me. i thought looked up all the best blues men. but damn, john's playing ability just blows me away man!!!!!!

[PutmanFranklinAvenue]

i love you

[computer07]

It's so funny how we think a new song is actually a new song... Every thing that comes out now days is a copy of something written in the past...u have to actually live life to write from the soul. All u pop stars can go to hell with that new shit, it's empty.

[ViceroyCDR]

Ultra-awesome. Such sorrow and triumph concurrently.

[sarafwolf]

has anyone tried to figure this out from watching him, is it in normal tuning?

[thevalentinefamily]

@sarafwolf he's tuned a half step up (i just do capo on 1) and he's just sliding a Gmaj up and down. left hand is incredibly easy, right hand is damn near impossible.

[ladakhking]

great

[AllanWellsfanclub]

this is so good. Wow. 

[iolson1990]

I think it's pretty clear that Mississippi John Hurt was a Bodhisattva.

[amaraweston]

@iolson1990

You know, I'm watchin' these vids thinkin' that very thing exactly. What an amazingly kind and gentle disposition he had! Wherever he has gone, I hope he is happy. He sure continues to bring happiness to me!

[markJaggi]

I can hear the beauty of that man's soul in every note he plays.

[robotsforever]

@markJaggi ...because he has nothing to hide.

[dogjones65]

Wow.

[guitardedboy]

John Hurt was a consummate bluesman. The purity of his playing and sound is remarkable, and there's so much heart and soul in his music. A master of his craft.

[wartree]

he is playig guitar like no "guitar viirtuoso" could do, people tend to overlook how difficult is to play the blues on the guitar like this.

[flyslaier]

i wish icould walk but i have no legs

[Biblehastheanswer]

Awesome!

[tiger1vkulmala]

Now we have Justin Beiber and Lady Gaga for music..what happened????

[CrumpledSnotRag]

@tiger1vkulmala

what happened is that life ceased to be something lived; how can you make real music if you haven't experienced anything real? that's where soul comes from.

i love john hurt - a giant heart!

[Mtdeadhead312]

@CrumpledSnotRag

Very nicely put.

[tad449]

@tiger1vkulmala

Ya gotta look in all the cracks and read between the lines to find the stuff - In John's time it wasn't Bieber etc . . it was Perry Como and Ed Ames. I bet John would encourage you get a little guitar and learn to pick a tune or two

[mikerickson01]

@tiger1vkulmala What happened?

1) The buying power of youth increased. Grown adults, with a family, buy different music than 18-25yr. olds, far different than 14yr. olds. The themes of music changed from living life to partying to "being cool".

2) The emphasis changed from performing a song to writting new songs. (Record companies like this for copyright reasons.)

3) Between then and now, "old and reliable" faded and "new is better" became the theme. Classic songs aren't new, therefore ...

[heymisterjoe]

What's the name of the original show please :) ?

[mikerickson01]

@heymisterjoe This is from Pete Seeger's (brief) TV show, Rainbow Quest.

[heymisterjoe]

@mikerickson01 thank you ;)

[flyslaier]

my dad died in the year of 1998 and i had to To Walk That Lonesome Valley for myself.

:)

[jaymor2n]

I love this man.

[zippolaccia]

God Bless you. R.I.P.

[alejandrosoul]

right on Mr. Hurt.....  on love!!

[57tin]

I tell you something, this right here is some good stuff!

[JohnnyDaytonMusic]

This is an awesome version.

[princehumperdinck]

how the heck is this guy playing this??? anybody have a good link to a tab? (teaching myself fingerpicking and i've been wanting to play this song for a loooooong time)

[jonchrysostom]

@princehumperdinck I think he's using an open G tuning.

[Optimistiq1]

@jonchrysostom It is in standard

[MikeSavageguitars]

@princehumperdinck Tune your guitar as standard, he plays a G shape in the 3rd 5th and 7th position, he fingers the chord with his pinkie, ring and middle finger so his fourth finger can add notes on the B string. As for the picking, just work out some way of making it sound right, trying to copy it note for note is really hard. Enjoy

[JohnnyPlaysRock]

This is one of my favorite songs. Mr. Hurt played that thing otherworldly.

[octopod992]

Beautiful gnarled hands.

[BPECA1]

sounds like snoop dogg

[Bikage21]

@BPECA1 WHAT??

[BPECA1]

@Bikage21 at the beginning he talks real quiet and sounds just like snoop dogg

[Eilos]

Hadn't heard about this man before class today. If for that reason alone I am glad I enrolled in this course. 

[couleurk7]

pffoouu...got some thrill...i bought one of his lp's : Today in 1996, and it still the best folkin'stuff that i get. thank you so much to see all these Masters in live...

[willwelsh816]

what a beautiful soul

[blessedtoextream]

If you could get all of this show on DVD, OMG!!!!!!

[bloozmonkey111]

Such a nice ole fella! Wouldn't mind havin' pint with the geezer. Great post! ;))

[thezook33per]

I could listen to him talk all day. He sounds so gentle and loving and it shows when he plays the guitar.

[ptran001]

this song is near impossible to play on the guitar. I tried learning it today and my left hand looks and feels like lady gaga's music

[sm1164]

@ptran001 It's not impossible. It's fairly easy. Get very (VERY) familiar with MJH in the key of G. If you learned Spike Driver Blues very thoroughly, you'd find yourself starting to play this.

[Diomedes22]

@sm1164 I've never heard anyone play this as cleanly and with the same flow as MJH. I've heard people who play guitar say this is easy, but when I get them to play it, it always sounds terrible. There's a guy at the guitar workship on youtube, for example, teaching how to play this song and he cannot even play it right himself! I'd like to see a video of you playing it well, if you actually can.

[sm1164]

@Diomedes22 Read what I said before. If you are extremely familiar with MJH in the key of G, you will start figuring this out. I've played Shake That Thing and some other pieces in G for over 20 years and find common elements in all Hurt songs in G. Get really good with the alternating bass and I assure you this will not bedevil you for long. As far as 'cleanlyand with the same flow,' remember, by 1966 Hurt had been playing the guitar for over 60 years. It takes time.

[sm1164]

@Diomedes22 I've never gotten around to putting my own playing up here. I may, but I'm in no rush. I play well but make no claims to grand expertise. It just happens that my acoustic playing is based around MJH and Elizabeth Cotten. Their playing in G is now, and has been for years, very very standard. If you're not a fingerpicker now, just learn that alternating bass. If you've only been playing a year or two, be patient. Get a MJH book or DVD. Spike Driver and Shake That Thing -- learn them!

[sm1164]

@Diomedes22 Regarding 'flow' -- play anything you know, all...day...long... and you will understand 'flow.' One more time: a prerequisite for playing Lonesome Valley is extreme familiarity with Hurt's playing in G. Spike Driver Blues and Shake That Thing are what you need. Look up Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop. He has all the Hurt you need. My impression is that you need the basics of MJH.

[thevalentinefamily]

@Diomedes22 i agree. anyone who says they can play this is probably lying. just because it sounds easy doesn't mean that it is. this man had a gift.

[partyhardydardy]

@thevalentinefamily it is easy you butthole. easier than most of his other songs. i know a few mississippi john hurt songs so its not like i'm basing my opinion on what i hear. hes one of my favorites.

[thevalentinefamily]

@partyhardydardy not like him, you can't

[partyhardydardy]

@thevalentinefamily i learned it by watching him play it.

[bluesgurugod]

@ptran001 hmmm.... I heard a rumor that learning guitar actually takes a bit of time...

[ptran001]

@bluesgurugod hey i'm not an idiot ive been playing guitar for about 5 years

[AngeloVicenteJr]

A shame he never recorded this one.

[sm1164]

@AngeloVicenteJr Here it is! 

[bluesgurugod]

@AngeloVicenteJr it really is a shame he never recording this one. Imagine if we actually had a recording of this song with MJH playing it live in front of an audience (maybe even with Pete Seeger in the background)- wouldn't that be just wonderful??? ... aaahhhh well .... well just have to leave it up to the imagination I guess ;)

[eduartito001]

tell em' john!

[gavrosleme]

soul !

[quintenfyfe]

AMAZING TOTALLY AMAZING

[bobdevo]

Guitar looks like a Martin from the headstock, but wide and kind of shallow. Looks wider than a 000-18; maybe its an 0000-18 spruce and mahogany . . .

[springrobin]

Ain't nothin more true!

[TheMeleemonkey]

this aint the lonesome valley, the lonesome valley is the valley of death, which you walk alone. this man is one of the angels singin about it. respect MJH

[7jack7]

America needs to be grabbed by the shoulders and shook awake to John Hurt

[getarslim]

Thanks for posting this, a master of syncopated playing

[kermankalle]

sooths me...in this lonesome valley...

[JohnDaytonMusic]

This is the better upload because it has the full intro! Thanks.

[daniellaoalsson]

So Great.

[BluesBurner]

did he use some kind of alternate/open tuning? it looks like it and if anyone knows id appreciate it.. thanks

[jpinkard]

Capo on first or up tune one octave.

[BluesBurner]

oh thanks. I assume you meant step not octave but its greatly appreciated.

[rLadyoftheBlowtorch]

I'm pretty sure he uses open D for some stuff, or at least some songs work in open D....

[lostintheblues]

@BluesBurner Standard tuning, key of G

[jacqprat]

Ca nettoie les oreilles de la merde ambiante... Thank you for sharing !

[w13rdguy]

Hurt me!

[toy200sx]

Such a full rich sound from the guitar and a wonderful gravelly voice. An absolute legend people. Take it all in and be satisfied

[ceepatton]

@toy200sx

gravelly voice? what?

[binoyrakesh]

recorded in the sixties. he plucks with his bare fingers, no nails/picks. and listen to the clarity of the sound.

those who play the guitar cn probably appreciate the fact better. musical genius and an awesome guitar player.

[slopbucket74]

One of the sweetest voices ever. Always makes my eyes well up. Thanks for posting.

[LayTheTrap]

I always find myself tearing up when he starts playing the guitar and talking to her about walking it for yourself...absolutely beautiful

[fiarstar]

Hard to believe that he lived in relative obscurity so much of his life, and was only truly appreciated just a few years before he passed away. What a wonderful share! Thank you!

[PinkOld]

Oh, man!

Thanks so much for posting this version, which has John's gentlemanly chatter.

This is definitely superior to the other, much shorter version.

This is so pretty and emotional that it nearly makes me want to cry.

Mississippi John was a great songwriter, singer, guitarist, and human being.

RIP, John.

I hope you are up there, jamming away with Charlie Patton, Son House, and Willie Brown.

[SigP229R]

Thanks so much for posting this this man is fna-dan-tstic. not enough of him to be found.

[dnos]

Thanks for posting this video! It's a great video and song by Hurt. It is real music and it is a shame that he only got "found" late in his life.

After many many years, nobody has yet to play a guitar like Mr. Hurt: it's one thing to play the notes, but an entirely different thing to play them with feeling and that is something that you can't copy! This man takes a simple gospel song and turns it into pure awesomeness!

[Haydos711]

no one can play the country blues like this man can. :)

[widdyhabb]

Absolutely right, dude!

[Bloodaxe1300R]

I hear ya Mississip John, I'm walkin

[bass0111]

YEAH!!

[hottscolland]

all rise, and hats off , to mississippi john hurt. stand up straight

[ednorthen]

@hottscolland Amen

[DollyPorterfan]

Wow! I have never in my life seen anyone play the guitar like this! John is surely gifted. I agree with earsaucemusic, no one can play like this, not in our lifetime. Most music nowadays is push button, and a monkey can do that. push a button.

[earsaucemusic]

this is incredibly difficult. john hurt was a master of the piedmont picking style, and most anyone who says they can play this is lying. if anyone is interested in trying to play along (i know i can't), you need a capo on the 1st fret because he is tuned sharp for some reason.

[AgentCarter]

its a lot like play banjo

[4Topwood]

The best kind of homecoming.

[whitestripebuzz]

damn mr hurt makes sliding a G chord up and down abit sound crazy. its all in the right hand i guess.

[akaliku]

this song speaks to me...

Cause i'm walking in this lonesome valley...

[Cmoa49]

Magnifique!

[lyonmat]

Amazing voice even when he talk !

[subterranean47]

I know!

[mountainsofolivs]

i dont know which hand to watch!

[happydogmusic]

wow.... THANK YOU

[didjamatic]

AMAZING.

[albertoraul01]

the text is true,the music is super,the artist was great,..thank you for the music....

[bigkittysmile]

see the way he plays the bass strings?

this is a fantastic treasure of a video

[timjmoran]

yeah.. looks like he is simply moving a G-shape up & down the neck.. pretty clever!!

Assuming this is in standard tuning.. (looks like it might be)...but then his thumb is doing something SO cool,, and kinda tricky.. you realize this IS a lot tougher than it looks!!

[ValsHere]

5 stars!

:)

[jamdub517]

lol wot

[demohr777]

Thanks for making the time and effort. I just about cry every time I watch this.

[FANTASTICWOUND]

what a beautifull song

[diegopunk]

beautiful...

just

beautiful

[sayhey24man]

Thanks for posting---and thanks to Pete Seeger for this series he produced.

[turkeybeaksoup]

Beautiful song. MJH's playing and singing is ideal. We could all listen to this all day long and be better people for it.

[jpinkard]

Half stiep up standard on the tuning....this is priceless, we must keep playing this and passing it on or its gone forever..this stuff is pricelesss folks!

[DayTripperLennon]

I w0nder where that guitar is at today,

[saullouis]

Yea. I wonder if whoever has it knows where it has been.

[zatoichiche]

love this video

[jac8998]

John Hurt is the man.

[Sammybizness]

Wonderful, such real music.

[Ant57fr]

This is beautiful.

[RAWRAMP1]

brilliant

[ooff]

what tuning is he playing in

[garyralves]

They say he was playing in standard tuning about a half step sharp...

[NUNAVUTBREAKER]

yea, his tune is in standard n half step sharp. I tune my strings in standard n use a capo on 1st fret.

[Torrentthoughts]

@garyralves He was either half sharp or flat depending on the recording

[drinkNdrop]

@ooff standard

[brokeandhungryxx]

Truly amazin.I got no words.Thanks so much for the postin garyralves.Peace

[jcd48]

I love his fingerpicking style.

[thumbpickr1812]

a great performance from the one and only MJH, fabulous picking, love the man, love the music! thanks for posting

[jamesblackburnlynch]

He is such a brillian guitar player. Thanks for posting! What is this from?

[garyralves]

A TV show Pete Seiger did back in circa 1964... love this tune... and needless to say... John is my hero. I finally have gotten to were I can play this song... but only at about 1/2 speed... practice, practice, practice...

[almanacofsleep]

Well there is only one John Hurt, well two if you count the actor, but he can't play guitar.

[PinkOld]

Keep it up, and keep watching the footage.

Best to learn how to get up to full speed from John Hurt himself.

This truly is "The Touch of the Master's Hand."

[neilbaki]

Great