Mississippi John Hurt - My Creole Belle

John Smith Hurt was born March 3, 1892 and died 1966, three years after he started performing. John hurt lived to the age of 74 and taught himself how to play the guitar at age nine. Although he tried to enter into the music industry in 1928 it didn't work out and it wouldn't be until 1963, during the rise of American folk music revival that Mississippi John Hurt final got his moment. Though it was short lived it left quite an impact. His distinct way of playing the guitar influenced the legends like Bob Dylan that came after him and he will always be remember as one of the greatest American folk musicians.

I listened to many of John Hurt songs. From gospels and spirituals to love songs. They were quite interesting. I listened closely hoping to catch his fast, syncopated finger picking style of guitar playing that he taught himself. While listening to his music I came across his song My Creole Belle. Belle in french means "beautiful" so the song refers to a creole beauty. I initially picked it because the term Creole resonated with me. I know that the song was referring to the creole women of Louisiana. However the Caribbean is filled with creole people as well. In fact if you google the meaning of the word Creole this is the definition that you are given, - A person of mixed European and black descent or heritage, especially in the Caribbean.

I though that this song gave me the opportunity to share with the class a bit of my Caribbean culture that also has place in American folk music. Being from the island of Dominica once colonized by France then by Britain as most of the Caribbean were, I consider myself a Creole women. This mixture of European and African heritages has become part of our customs and we embrace it. We even have a festival called the world creole festival which is held on my island, Dominica. However their are other islands that embrace their creole heritage in their own ways.

For my piece today I have chosen to continue with collage and create a collage that shows different creole women of the Caribbean and Louisiana and show that even thought they are separate countries this song by Mississippi John Hurt reflects my Culture just as much as that of Louisiana and American folk music.

I will present it at class and post it online after with comments.