michael hurley, “the vt.-ore. floor”
from: Long journey. 1976
“I see you suey
Your kitchen window very clean
Open up the kitchen door
I show ya what I mean
I see you suey
Your kitchen window open wide
Close up the kitchen door
The moon is changing tides
There’s a thousand women
There’s one in every state
Sometimes I get the feelin’
That I can’t wait, I can’t wait
Sometimes I walk into a tavern
There ain’t no body there
Just like the open spaces
There’s plenty there to share
There’s a thousand taverns
Taverns in the sky
I stay with my woman
Cause she won’t let me die
I see you suey
Your kitchen window very clean
Open up the kitchen door
I show ya what I mean”
Some musicians can put you in a genuine kind of trance. Especially rewarding are the ones who aren’t trying to put you in one. Michael Hurley, who turns 82 today, is a master in such matters. His performances are quietly matter-of-fantastic and induce you to comfortably leave your own concerns behind. A true American original who has painted all his own album covers and populated his songs with a blend of his own imaginary kingdom, with nods to chestnuts from comic books, folk, blues and jazz traditions. You cannot leave a Michael Hurley experience without hearing a memorable song that will keep resonating within you. He doesn’t talk much, but when so moved, he provides droll truths. He once welcomed guests to the old Blue Plate Lounge in Holden, MA. by bragging it was the place “Where the potato chips were always crisp.” A raft of songs could appear in his homage, but the “Vt.-Ore. Floor” is a singular anthem constructed of humble ingredients that notably includes him snoring. His guitar is sedate, the choral group lopes like an apple orchard. And there is the unapologetic snoring.
