The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings [Box set]

Lightnin' Hopkins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 1991)
• Original Release Date: October 17, 1991
• Number of Discs: 7
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Prestige
• ASIN: B000000ZC4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,587 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Lightnin' Hopkins, the seminal Texas bluesman, was rediscovered in the 1960s when the folk revival made folk and country-blues musicians hot news. This seven-CD set includes much of Hopkins's work during that period, though he recorded for so many different labels that getting everything is well-nigh impossible. This is a good start, though, including as it does some concert recordings in addition to studio reissues and interviews. Hopkins's mastery of mood and technique makes this a chronicle not only of historical interest, but musical as well; while Hopkins's musical style didn't change much over the course of his multidecade career, he was certainly among the best at what he did. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues in a box set, August 10, 2001

By 

Chris Mathes (New Orleans) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings (Audio CD)

This seven disk, expensive box set is often a difficult pill to swallow, but I am glad that I did. On six disks twelve Lightnin' albums from the 60's are combined. If you are interested in Lightnin', do the math. The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Rocordings is a value. The seventh disk is full of interviews that may seem dull to some, but to a fan willing to spend $ to get the blues they are a welcome addition. A very interesting way to learn about the man is from his own voice in interviews like these. The liner notes are a simple histoy, a few pictures and a discography. Again, I am glad I bought it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rated Five Stars With A Footnote, April 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings (Audio CD)

This is one fantastic collection of music! However, I was a little disappointed by the apparent lack of effort that went into the finished product. With such a comprehensive assortment of music, I expected to find at least liner notes or a booklet with some biographical material or reviews. Also, it should be noted that the final disk in this set is only spoken word. While the novelty of it is awesome, and you get to here Lightnin's stories first hand, at my first listening I was somewhat off set because I wasn't expecting it. However, those things aside, this set is worth every penny!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars How Much Is Too Much?, April 30, 2010

By 

Smilin' Jack "N/A" (Carrizozo, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings (Audio CD)

Lightnin' Hopkins was extremely over-recorded during the 1960s, a fact that this set makes blindingly clear. The best stuff here is Lightnin' solo with guitar, or with an acoustic bass and drums. The sessions with a thrown together pick-up band are painful to listen to, particularly with the harmonica player and pianist. Lightnin' wasn't Muddy Waters. He didn't have Willie Dixon writing songs for him with bridges and nice long sections for a harmonicist or pianist to stretch out on, like Muddy did. In Lightnin's music, a harmonica and piano is simply extra baggage that distract from the song rather than add to it. Furthermore, a lot of the songs here are just inferior repeats of songs that he had recorded earlier (in better versions) during his peak years (1946-1954).

Finally, they could have used the original mono mixes, but chose instead to use stereo mixes. Anyone who is into vintage blues and R&B at all can tell you that this stuff *always* sounds better in mono, especially if it's just a three-piece band. The punch and impact is gone.

Unless you're a total Lightnin' freak, I'd recommend just buying the individual CDs that feature Lightnin' solo. And if you get a chance to pick up the original albums in mono, take it.