Michael Hurley

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Michael Hurley

Michael Hurley is an American singer/guitarist, reportedly born December 20, 1941. He also plays the fiddle.

Hurley's debut album, First Songs, was recorded for Folkways Records in 1965 on the same reel-to-reel machine that taped Leadbelly'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 his 2nd & 3rd albums on The Youngbloods' Warner Bros. imprint, Raccoon. In the late 70's, Hurley made three albums for Rounder, all of which have since been reissued on CD. His 1976 LP Have Moicy, a collaboration with the Unholy Modal Rounders and Jeffrey Frederick & The Clamtones, was named "the greatest folk album of the rock era" by the Village Voice's Robert Christgau.

In 1996, Koch Records released Wolfways with Hurley backed by Mickey Bones - Drums, Gus Ziesing - percussion, Jill Gross - Harmony Vocals, Jim Harvey - Trombone, Dan Archer and Bob Jordan - Guitars and Mike Boise - Bass. Tours with Son Volt and high praise from younger performers like Lucinda Williams, Vic Chesnutt, Calexico, Cat Power and Robin Holcomb followed.

Greg Weeks of Espers noted in an eBay auction in July 2006 that the band has begun work on a collaborative album with Hurley.

Gnomonsong will be releasing a new Michael Hurley album later this year (2007).

[edit] Discography

First Songs (1965)
Armchair Boogie (1971)
Hi Fi Snock Uptown (1972)
Have Moicy (1975) credited to Michael Hurley/The Unholy Modal Rounders/Jeffrey Frederick & the Clamtones
Long Journey (1976)
Snockgrass (1980)
Blue Navigator (1984)
Watertower (1988)
Land Of Lofi And Redbirds (1988)
Excrusiasion '86 (1988)
Growlin' Bo Bo (1991)
The Woodbill Brothers (1992)
Wolfways (1994)
Parsnip Snips (1996)
Bellemeade Sessions (1997)
Weatherhole (1999)
Live in Edinburgh (1999)
Sweetkorn (2002)
Down In Dublin (2005)