Robin James Hurt

Music:

Member Since: 21/03/2006
Band Members:
Me and Bobby McGhee...

Influences: Okay, so when I was 10 years old I started fiddle lessons in school. Did them for a couple of years, got into the Lothian and Borders Strathspey and Reel Society and played one gig with them before I decided to chuck the lot cos it was too much like homework.

But in the meantime, I did get my first experience of being squashed in the back of a van with a bunch of other musos. In this case, it was Kevin O'Reilly's mum jamming four schoolboys with fiddles into the back of her Mini van, but somewhere inside me, it struck a chord. I swear I heard a voice....

"You better get used to this son..."

Sounds Like:

The Spider's Legs

When The Boat Comes In

The Hexhamshire Lass

'Robin James Hurt's self-released debut solo album “The Tallyman’s Lament” offers some unique interpretation of nice Scots, Irish and English folksong, as well as a couple of compositions of his own.
The singer and professional guitarist was born in Belfast, raised in Scotland and lives in Dublin nowadays. This background explains his music style and his great interest in folksongs from those parts of the world.
This album fits perfectly to a night out in a traditional pub while drinking Guinness and singing along. Hurt’s version of “School Days Over” originally by Ewan McColl, is a brilliant interpretation of this old folksong. But more worth mentioning is the music which is composed by Robin James Hurt himself.

“Come Away Home” has a beautiful balance between the 12-string, the vocal, and the harmonium. The ballad “The Bonny Light Horseman” is of uncertain age and origin but originally traced back to the 1600s, but Hurt’s version of the lyric is more up to date and he sings them in such an honest way that it brings tears to your eyes. The ballads on this record are the real gems; in particular the last two songs “The Band Of Shearers” and ”Bogey’s Bonnie Belle/Maggie Smith” are romantic, touching and wonderful.

“The Tallyman’s Lament” is worth listening even if you are not into traditional folksongs.'

LIMERICK EVENT GUIDE Issue 04 Jan 2009

'"Schooldays Over" is an almost ubiquitous part of the folk repertoire and what you do with it as a performer - if you move away from the Dubliners version at all - becomes almost a statement of intent. What you get here is a muscular, angular, almost grating rendition that sits very well with the song's theme of getting a sharp introduction to the un-cossetted world of the workplace, the thankless nature of adulthood. It's a songwhose time is very likely coming round again...Hurt's so good!'

Greg McAteer, HOT PRESS music magazine, Ireland, Nov 08

‘The songs are lively with evocative lyrics and storytelling. The last track, "The Spider's Legs", is a wonderful instrumental composition that features impressively intricate guitar and fiddle work.’

NPR “Open Mic” review for “The Spider’s Leg’s” EP, USA, Oct 2007

‘Hurt reinterprets Scots and Irish music in a unique way - he plays as though he has 12 fingers on each hand and makes the strings sound as though they're made of clear crystal water and pure flames.’ Rena Maguire, presenter and producer, “NEW CELTIC SOUNDS”, FEILE FM, Belfast, Oct 2008

Record Label: Mondegreen Records (digital/download only)
Type of Label: Indie