{"product_id":"michael-hurley-blue-navigator","title":"Michael Hurley-Blue Navigator","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2025 restock.\"Pleased as punch are we to be reissuing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eMichael Hurley\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e's long-lost 1984 album, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBlue Navigator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Admittedly, Secret Seven and Mississippi collaborated on a dandy 8-track version a decade ago, but the record has mostly been available as an obscure import CD -- if at all -- for many a year. The reason for this is that the Rooster Records HQ burned down in 1987, taking master tapes, extra covers and whatever else there was with it. This was a general bummer, but especially so for us Hurley fans, since his final LP with Rounder was \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eSnockgrass\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in 1980, and he didn't hook up with Fundamental to do \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eWatertower\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e until 1987. The disappearance of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBlue Navigator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from this earth left a sizable hole. Which we'd now like to think has been plugged. Recorded with a cast of Northern Vermont hepcats including guitarist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eJon Weber\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eDan Hicks\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e' original \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eHot Licks\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), head Rooster \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam Wright\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on guitar and mandolin, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eNancy Beavan\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on vocals, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eGordon Stone\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on pedal steel and various other goners, all playing some sweet rural swing displaying exactly how Hurley became the toast of the snowmobile club circuit during his days in the North Country. A mix of old favorites -- 'Werewolf,' 'Open Up (Eternal Lips)' -- new favorites -- 'Code of the Mountains,' 'Ghost Woman Blues' -- and even a re-write -- 'Blue Navigator' -- it's a great, very casual sounding session, revealing more layers the more you listen. The instrumentation varies a lot between tunes, but the music always flows with Snocky grace and assurance. For this reissue, Michael has written a set of illustrated liner notes that scoot around just the way his conversation does on a long car ride. Which makes me miss the open road as much as anything else today. Just close your eyes, sink back into the music on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBlue Navigator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and pretend you're drifting through the hills and valleys of the Green Mountain State on your way to a cold growler of beer. You'll soon feel like a million bucks. Promise!\" --\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eByron Coley\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 2020\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Hurley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46964504527089,"sku":null,"price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0548\/9177\/4193\/files\/MHBN.jpg?v=1758822997","url":"https:\/\/www.roarrecs.com\/products\/michael-hurley-blue-navigator","provider":"Republic of Athens Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}