Mississippi John Hurt © ROWLAND SCHERMAN
Mississippi John Hurt was a self-taught blues guitar player and singer, who lived most of his life working as a farm laborer, and it wasn’t until late in life, in the early to mid-1960’s with the awakening of the folk music movement that his mastery was recognized, and soon he began touring and recording. The more I listened and read about him, I began to discover the similar qualities that might possess the self-taught Hurt and the self-taught perfumer, David Seth Moltz. Mastery is not untouchable for the self-guided few who tap into their own pioneering spirit while they quietly or not so quietly live their life. The current artisan movement prides itself on this valued notion. Certainly D.S. & Durga has been riding the artisan crest, and has held up its ideals of, small-batch, hand crafted, and personalization. As I listened to Mississippi’s tune that inspired the fragrance Poppy Rouge, I too wanted to stay local, close to home with my local brewed coffee and handmade bread, and Poppy Rouge near. Having these items close these last few days of winter somehow helped the bitter cold mornings that miraculously turn into the warmer evenings of the first days of spring to breakthrough. After all, the artisan movement wants us all to stay close to home.
On the perfectly hued and lovely D.S. & Durga perfume box there are a few of the lyrics taken from Mississippi’s song, along with the notes of the fragrance. The song is about a woman who wants to gussy up and go out on the town, it mentions her putting on red rouge and bloomers, and I like the possible intended tongue-in-cheek humor that D. S. presents on its box. At first Poppy Rouge is slightly confusing to my nose, it gives off somewhat bitter boozy and warm spicy undertones. It rolls out gutsy and strong, and by the end it reveals its little bewildered vulnerable heart. It echoes John Hurts voice and the way the words sometimes smack a strong punch, and other time the way it rolls off his tongue in a blurry stream, a free falling dance. The fragrance is at times intoxicating, and seems to come in and out of focus all day long, the fragrance ends up-soft, floral, a whisper—orange flower, jonquil, Parma violet, beautiful simplicity.
Robert Mapplethorpe
The botanical on the D.S.& Durga website, blooms and decays. Beautiful simplicity always equals hard work and effort behind the scenes, learning and mastering as one goes along. During Mississippi’s live performances his delivery of his lyrics brought laughter from the crowd, and he sang, “Pretty baby you got to go.” Poppy Rouge reminds me to tread lightly and not take life too seriously.
Valerie Vitale, Contributing Editor
We have a 5ml decant of Poppy Rouge to give away to one US reader. To be eligible leave a comment with your favorite blues singer(s)or D.S.& Durga fragrance by March 27, 2013.
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.