Nobody plays Candy Man like John Hurt anymore. (here’s why)

Candy Man Blues is one of Mississippi John Hurt's better known tunes, but there really isn't a whole lot of folks who actually play it. I've also noticed there isn't a whole lot of emphasis on teaching it either (and honestly from what I've seen the folks who do teach it are missing a few of the finer points that make this guitar masterpiece what it is). So here's my best effort to show you how to get your hands around a tune like Candy Man Blues, using his 1928 recording debut as our reference.
The tab for this tune, as well as a pile of other inspiring early guitar pieces are available over on my Patreon.
----------------------------
SUBSCRIBE TO KYLE ON UA-cam:
www.youtube.co...
SUPPORT KYLE ON PATREON:
/ kostringworks
FOLLOW KYLE ON INSTAGRAM:
/ k.o.stringworks
BUY MERCH:
www.kostringwo...
WATCH NEXT:
Innovators of the Acoustic Guitar:
• Innovators of the Acou...
Living Luminaries Series:
• LIVING LUMINARIES SERIES
DIG A LITTLE DEEPER WITH:
The Chords & Shapes of Blind Boy Fuller ($3, you don't need to be a member)
/ chords-and-of-109796409
Book a private one-on-one Zoom session:
www.kostringwo...
Check out my music on Bandcamp:
kyleorla.bandc...
MY GEAR:
Fraulini Erma 6 String:
fraulini.com/e...
Farulini Grand Concert 12 String (w/ a tailpiece)
fraulini.com/a...
D'Addario NS Soundhole Tuner
amzn.to/3XEA0yh
D'Addario Micro Headstock Tuner:
amzn.to/4d45na1
John Pearse 700M Strings:
amzn.to/4gguM3b
Shubb C1b Capo:
amzn.to/3XnenRJ
K&K Pure Mini Pickup:
amzn.to/4ggPtMl
Various Vintage things you'd have to dig for online:
Yamaha CP-1 Brass Capo, 1890's Arion Parlor Guitar, 1920's Lyon & Healy Lakeside Parlor Guitar
MY UA-cam SETUP:
SONY ZV-E10:
amzn.to/3AYndOq
Focusrite Solo Bundle:
amzn.to/3B5EkOo
Macbook Pro M3:
amzn.to/3XIJBnT
ABOUT KYLE:
Kyle Orla is a Duluth-born folk musician who champions bygone tunes and instruments from the depression era. Kyle has a deep reverie for the vintage styles of playing guitar, and is constantly looking for new ways to create relevance for folks who feel the same.
Kyle is the sole-operator of K.O. StringWorks - offering education and restorations for vintage music and instruments - and co-owner with his wife of the Northerly School for Music.
My website:
www.kostringwo...
My music school:
www.northerlys...
*Some of these links are affiliate links. I earn small commission with no extra cost to you. It's awesome. I appreciate you and your support!

[@MoneyManBLUES]

You're videos are great. A big hug from a blues musician from the south of Brazil.

[@kostringworks]

Ah thanks man. That is a big hug all the way to northern Minnesota USA! Appreciate you!

[@stephenbrennan4178]

Love this, remember hearing this when first getting into country blues guitar 25 years ago, had seen Gary Davis doing an instrumental version of his candy man blues( totally different song of course) on one of Stefan Grossmans Videos , went searching for a version with singing, and accidentally found this, such a light bulb moment, and still one of my favourite tunes to play

[@kostringworks]

Yeah it’s so good! Rev’s candy man is also amazing. I’m gonna do his one of these times too. Makes your head spin trying to do what he does. Thanks for saying hey!

[@rogertinker1813]

I enjoy your finger style MJH lessons , I struggle with them but I enjoy them. Thank you

[@kostringworks]

Thanks Roger! Yeah this one in particular is a real finger-getter. Best of luck to you!!

[@clawhammerchris]

You play it real well, Kyle! I’ll be covering this song someday in Clawhammer. Thanks for the lesson!

[@kostringworks]

Thanks Chris! This would be sick as a clawhammer tune.

[@johnmurphy1466]

Great tutorial Kyle, I love this one and managed to nail it a while back.
I play it regular so I don’t forget it! 😁👌

[@kostringworks]

Thanks John! Excellent! Yeah I also have to keep this one under my fingers regularly so not to loose it too. He just does so many odd-ball things you don't find in most pieces. Glad to know you're ripping it!

[@charliewilliams7045]

Awesome, just heard this for the first time today, perfectly timed vid!

[@kostringworks]

Funny how that happens!

[@scottkidwell3601]

This is great!
Thanks, Kyle! 🙏🏻🤍

[@kostringworks]

Have fun with this one!

[@wheninroamful]

Nicely done!

[@kostringworks]

Appreciate it and you!!

[@zapwai]

Excellent video

[@kostringworks]

Thanks!! Have fun with it!

[@il4305]

I prefer his 1965 live version .He seems to have changed the E7 at 5.55 in your video to an E -still D shape - that gives a brighter feel to the progression

[@kostringworks]

Interesting! I’ll have to revisit that one. Thanks!

[@jimjosefson2308]

Well all you ladies gather 'round
That good sweet candy man's in town
It's the candy man
It's the candy man
He likes a stick of candy just nine inch long
He sells as fast a hog can chew his corn
It's the candy man
All heard what sister Johnson said
She always takes a candy stick to bed
Don't stand close to the candy man
He'll leave a big candy stick in your hand
He sold some candy to sister Bad
The very next day she took all he had
If you try his candy, good friend of mine
You sure will want it for a long long time
His stick candy don't melt away
It just gets better, so the ladies say
[What? He’s the Candy Man!]

[@kostringworks]

Hahah 🫣😂

[@Swine-O-Sonic]

Woody mann does some good tutorial books if you like this style

[@kostringworks]

Right on!!

[@nathanielbrewster8457]

Have you heard chris smither's version?

[@kostringworks]

I have not! I'll check it out though.

[@briancarroll3541]

wonder what it would sound like on a real guitar...