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Michael Hurley
Fatboy Spring
Mississippi Records - Cat No: MR094lp
- updated:2025-07-28
A legendary figure in outsider folk—Michael Hurley, known as the “Godfather of Freak Folk”—has had his masterpiece reissued on vinyl. It’s country-blues-folk with a laid-back, unhurried feel. This release serves as a posthumous tribute to him. It is said that he passed away at home shortly after returning from a festival performance. He was 83 years old. Recorded in the 1970s. His voice, his songs, his guitar. We invite you to experience the magic of the music he created.
Track List
A full LP of never before released Hurley recordings from 1972-73! Great early versions of classic Hurley songs such as Automatic Slim & The Fatboys, Drivin' Wheel, Ghost Woman Blues, Watchin' The Show and The Portland Water that come off for the most part better than later releases of these songs.
Hurley is backed up by ''The Fatboys'' - not the rotund hip hop crew from the film ''Disorderlies'' but rather a bunch of not so fat nice guys in Vermont who played mostly for the local dairy farmers (Later they were known as ''Sheriff Mocus & the Deranged Cowboys'').
A laid back countryish album sure to please the hard core Hurley fan & casual listener too. Deep & breezy. Cover painting by Michael. A co-release with our friends label in San Francisco - Secret Seven.
Hurley is backed up by ''The Fatboys'' - not the rotund hip hop crew from the film ''Disorderlies'' but rather a bunch of not so fat nice guys in Vermont who played mostly for the local dairy farmers (Later they were known as ''Sheriff Mocus & the Deranged Cowboys'').
A laid back countryish album sure to please the hard core Hurley fan & casual listener too. Deep & breezy. Cover painting by Michael. A co-release with our friends label in San Francisco - Secret Seven.
Singer-songwriter Michael Hurley, “beloved for his compassionate wit and quirky talent.” In 2011, Portland’s renowned Mississippi Records and San Francisco’s Secret Seven Records jointly released *Fatboy Spring*, a collection of previously unreleased recordings from 1972–73. This marks the first vinyl reissue in over a decade. Backing him are The Fatboys—a group of nice guys who, contrary to their name, weren’t actually very fat, and who used to play for local dairy farmers. (They would later become known as “Sheriff Mocus & the Deranged Cowboys.”) They perform alternate versions of classics like “Automatic Slim & The Fatboys” and “Ghost Woman Blues,” as well as covers of Hank Williams songs. Perhaps if you listen to it until the record is worn out, the meaning behind the cover art will become clear. That’s part of its charm. (Original Japanese text by Saito)