Hurley's been on a long journey ever since his two Raccoon solo albums, traveling along the Canadian-American border in and out of the company of a loose aggregate of musicians and bands. The collective state of mind of these musicians is best expressed by Hurley's bittersweet mindscapes, and the hypnotic, richly melodic songs have an appeal that has won him a small but enthusiastic following.

Several songs on this record refer to the migration pattern these bands travel between Vermont, where Hurley and his backup group the Redbirds are centered, and Oregon, where the Holy Modal Rounders minus Peter Stampfel play the local bar circuit. Hurley makes fun of his itinerant lifestyle in "You Got to Find Me," characterizing himself as "a zigzagging citizen," but he's on this journey for survival, not fun; like his peers, Hurley is always one step away from tragedy, as the mournful tone of "The Vt.-Ore. Floor" confirms. The tragedy is in uneasy balance with Hurley's sense of humor and the ragged, atmospheric quality of his singing. It's a strange but comfortable compromise he's effected with life, not far from the attitude of some of the country-blues singers who are Hurley's greatest influence. He accepts his fate with a wry smile and turns it into a joke, "Reconciled to the Blues." And ultimately it's this same acceptance that gives him his freedom.

Long Journey can be obtained for $6.98 from Rounder Records, 186 Willow Avenue, Somerville, Massachusetts 02144. (RS 246)

JOHN SWENSON