Michael Hurley, hero of the Underground US Folk, dies 83 years old | Folk music
Michael Hurley, the American singer -songwriter whose unique path through the American popular scene made him inspired by the generations of alternative musicians, died at the age of 83.
A family declaration announced his “recent sudden passage”, although no cause of death has been given. He added: “The” godfather of the strange folk “was the supplier of an eccentric genius and a compassionate wit for a prolific half century … there is nothing else. Friends, family and musical community cry deeply his loss.”
Born in the county of Bucks, in Pennsylvania, in 1941, Hurley was the son of a director of Operatta and traveled to the country with him as a child. This itinerant nature continued at a young adulthood, when he began as a musician – one day of self -station one day he was taken by the folklorist Fred Ramsey, who ended up producing his debut album in the first songs that was published on the famous United States label in 1964. The label, now Smithsonian Folkways, paid tribute, writing his topic and his wild imagination, Beade of Beadec. The songwriters who try to express the joys and fantastic idiosyncrasies of the world. “
Hurley spent time in the flourishing folk-revival scene in New York, home to artists of the caliber of Bob Dylan, but by his own admission he did not have the push to climb the musical career scale. “I didn’t like the question of question for concerts, that determination to penetrate in things, all these problems you had to face”, He said to The Guardian in 2021. “I preferred to make parties. Small meetings. Drinking with friends, jumping through the river.”
He broke through jobs and clubs – “Mococcasin Maker, Carpenter, Apple Picker, Maker types” was part of a long list of works that reported in 2021 – but continued to release music, finally releasing more than 30 material albums with his coverage illustrations (often populated by cartoons). The shaggy and lively energy of these brilliant records, supported by small ensembles and who embrace simple and bluegrass and folk-rock people, have inspired numerous artists through American alternative music, from the songwriters who cross folks like Lucinda Williams and Bonnie “Prince” Billy a Alt-Rockers like Yo Lango.
His most recent album is 2021 The Time of the Foxgloves, which was a return to original songwriting after 12 years later. He had performed concerts in the last few days, in Tennessee and in the North Carolina.
Mike Quinn, founder of No Quarter Records, said Hurley had just finished a new album. He was mastered the week before he died, and he was very proud of this (as he should be … it is exceptional). I hope it will soon see the light of the day. “
